Feliz Natal!

Merry Christmas to you all!!!  We hope you are all having a perfectly jolly season.  We've had such a great year, with so many blessings being sent our way.  From the arrival of baby Kanyin, to a family reunion with everybody there, and being accepted into PA school, we have truly been blessed.
We were able to go down to D.C. last week, and see the lights at the D.C. temple, and the visitors center.  They just re-modeled the visitors center, and if any of you want an awesome experience, you better come visit us, and we can take you down there.  The Spirit is so strong there, and does a great job of teaching about the Savior and the church.  We got to see the national Christmas tree (I wasn't that impressed), and a couple of the museums.  We are now in Colorado, just waiting to see most of you.  I've been reading one of Pres. Monson's favorites, "A Christmas Carol" this year, and can see why he loves it so much.  Full of gospel principles, and lessons.
We love you all, have a Merry Christmas!
Shawn and Torrey and Kanny May

Christmas

      I was just reading Moms latest blog (I never thought those two words would be used together) and just feeling homesick for my brothers and sisters and all of our family members.  I love the crazy fun memories of growing up together in our Inkom paradise, (another two words I thought I'd never put together).  I have been thinking of all the Christmas movies I still need to watch and enjoy quoting- Scrooge, It's A Wonderful Life, White Christmas, A Christmas Story, Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer, Mr. Kruegers Christmas and Santa Clause is Coming to Town, just to name a few. 
     My family is making tacos while I type and give encouragement to Jana as she tries to make all the right exits on her trip home.  I'm so happy to have all my kids home this year and wish we could be together with all of you as well.  So hopefully I will talk to all of you soon and just a little friendly reminder..... TOMORROW IS MY BIRTHDAY AND SHANES  AND MATS IS THE DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS!
Just sayin.     Love you guys,  Merry Christmas.
    

Hi Family,

I just read your "Winter Memories" from last year and laughed and cried just like I did last year when I read them.  I hope you will all write your memories of our "vehicles."  It's a great way to preserve history and make memories for your children.

We have Ted and Sarah and Amanda here for Christmas and look forward to many of you coming this week.  I will be praying for good weather after Christmas so you can travel safely.

I just talked to Bill and RaNae on the phone.  She (with the help of a special tube) could actually talk to me!  I could tell it was her voice.  We continue to pray for miracles.  Bill said they may move her out of ICU after Christmas.  They have been in there for five weeks now.  What an example they are to me.  I sure love and appreciate them.

Yesterday, the Larson and Palmer kids and moms went with me to the Assisted Living Care Center in Preston, where I have a good friend.  We put on a fun Christmas program, complete with nativity costumes, Christmas bells and reindeer antlers and Rudolph noses!  The residents joined with us in singing some Christmas songs, my personal favorite being an accapella "Silent Night" at the end.  We then passed out the treats and wished them a Merry Christmas.  I think it was a great experience for all of us.

Happy Birthday Amy and Shane tomorrow and to Mat the day after Christmas.  We love you!

Mom

Christmas is coming!

Hello everyone,  I hope you are all enjoying the season.  I forwarded Bill McKee's latest post on their blog; I hope you will all read it and count your blessings.

Last Tues., Clair and I went to Hill Air Force Base and did a little Christmas shopping and grocery shopping.  Then we spent a few hours in the new Church History Library.  I found a biography of my great-great grandfather, John M. Bernhisel.  Very interesting.  I was able to get some of it on a flash drive and will hopefully get more next time.  I'll get you all a copy.  I really think the stories, journals, etc. make our ancestors "come alive," so to speak.  We walked around the new "City Creek Center" and ate at the food court, which was actually pretty cheap.  We walked around and saw all the beautiful lights on Temple Square and still got home around 8:30 - just in time to go to bed, as we had the Temple the next day.

We are looking forward to having some of the families coming over the holidays.  I just about have all my cards sent out and finished wrapping presents last night.

I hope you will all take a few minutes and post somethings on our family blog.  Thanks again Torrey for making it possible~

Dec. 10, 2012

I have enjoyed reading about the things that are going on in your lives.  I love this time of year.  Even though it is busy, it is so special.  Last night, Jen and Kaden and I participated in the annual Rotary Choir concert.  We have been practicing every Sunday night since the first part of Oct.  Kaden sang in a wonderful men's Quintet - White Christmas; it was amazing!  The whole concert turned out so nice.

Today, I have DUP (Daughters of the Utah Pioneers) here at our home.  I have all the Christmas decorations and lights up and will have my Christmas music playing to welcome everyone here!

I got a short e-mail from RaNae McKee's sister, Janet, this morning.  They had RaNae sitting up for 6 hours yesterday, and today they will do a tracheotomy.  It's slow, but things are progressing.  I talked to Bill last week.  He told me the whole tragic story.  Please keep them in your prayers.

Have a wonderful day and Christmas season!  Love you all -

Nativity Festival In Wisconsin

It has been a large week for us.  I helped put on a Nativity Festival for our ward.  It was held Nov. 30 and Dec. 1.  We also left it up for the Christmas Devotional.  We were able to listen to the Devotional and then walk around the Nativity Festival.  It was a great start to the Christmas season.  We ended up with over 300 Nativity Sets!  We were thrilled.  Vaughn came every day after preschool and helped.  He was a great helper.  Here are a few pictures.  I hope you all have a great Christmas season.

Giving this a try!

We just called Torrey to get instructions.  I listened on one phone while Clair figured it all out.  I just sent an e-mail a bit ago, so there's not much to say.  I did have lunch with Karen and Vickie today, and they said to tell you all hi.

I hope you will all figure this out, or call Torrey for help so we can use this family blog.

Love to all - Mom

RS/EQ

Well, Ben and I got new callings. I will teach the second Sunday of the month in relief society, and Ben is in.....drum roll please.......Elder's quorum! Second counselor this time. he won't know what to do when he gets a different calling someday. :) We are speaking this Sunday, the 9th, in sacrament mtg, and then I teach relief society that day too. Forgiveness, and keeping Christ the center of Christmas are the topics. Let me know all your wisdom! I need some.
Well, I was going to write more -- this will seem like a very random post -- but it will only get worse if I keep at it, as I am falling asleep.

A balmy 65 thanksgiving

I think this will be a fun and fuss free way to see what is going on with everyone! thanks Torrey!The slide show was fantastic! We watched it several times. thanks for putting that together.
  We made the long trip to St. George for thanksgiving this year. It was a good 9 hour drive -- not very kid friendly. We tried to patiently keep our ear plugs in at all times, but it only removes the sharpness of the high pitched screams -- not all the noise completely. :) we went to the park thanksgiving morning and enjoyed the sunshine and warm weather, then had the tasty meal that I wait for all year, complete with pickled beets. YUM!
Grandma took the kids to a movie the next afternoon, and the Ben and I went to the movie Lincoln that night. It had language that I wish I could tell you where to plug your ears, but Ben and I loved it. I have read a bit about Abraham Lincoln, and as far as I have read, EVERYTHING was really accurate, from his high pitched voice to his relationships with people, to his story telling . It was so fun for me to watch because it was very much like I have imagined him. --- And the story is pretty amazing too.  Anyway, I just wanted to put that in because you will appreciate it more if you know what a fantastic job they did!!!

Thanksgiving

We had a great Thanksgiving with 35 of us. We had plenty of food, football, naps, visiting, deer chasing, and games. We're going to cut a Christmas tree tomorrow and found we can do it right up in Clifton Basin, right behind our house. Clair now allows Christmas music, so we're getting in the Christmas spirit.
Love you all,
Mom and Clair

Pennsylvania Thanksgiving

Yo Palmer Fam! Just a quick little report on our Thanksgiving out here.  First, on Thanksgiving Eve we had a dinner with some of the students from my class.  We've made some really good friends outside of our LDS group, and have really enjoyed getting to meet people from so many different walks of life.  It's funny, but I feel like I will be in touch with some of these other friends, when we leave here, a lot more than any of the mormon kids.
Some friends in the ward invited us and some other families over for dinner which was great.  But now we have no left over turkey! No turkey soup, no turkey sandwiches, turkey a la king!! Gone, all gone!!!
Get your party pants ready cause we're excited to party with you all in a few weeks!  Hugs and kisses  Shawn Torrey and Kanyin

Pre Thanksgiving dinner with fellow PA students. 

9 months old today!! 

Just trying this out.

Well, here goes nothing.  I must confess that this blog thing is really scary for a technological idiot, such as myself.  But I am trying to be brave and follow Torrey's easy instructions.  Anyway...now what to say?  It is 9:30 the day before Thanksgiving and I am trying to gear up for all the crazy to come.  Pies need to be made, turkey needs defrosting, house needs cleaning, Black Friday strategical operations made and  of course Christmas decorating.  It is so quiet now and before the rush starts I just can't help but think of my many blessings.  I have everything requisite for a happy life, wonderful healthy family, great friends, FOOD in abundance ,a comfortable home and most importantly a testimony that the gospel is true and that Heavenly Father and Jesus live and love me!  I am going to try to focus more on those blessings in the weeks to come, especially when all the holiday crazy hits.
I love you all so much.  Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!   Amy

How do I do this?

Here are picture instructions on how to make a "post" in the blog.
Once you are logged in with the invitation I sent to your email, this screen will appear. You click on the orange square (circled in red) to get started with your post.

 

You will then see this page

Add caption

Write what you want and you can add pictures etc. Make sure to add a title in the spot that is circled in green

When you are done make sure to click on the labels tab (circled in green) then click on your name. This will make it so your post will appear under your tab with your name and also on the main page. When you are done with everything, click publish (circled in black). You are done!!

You can always email me or call me if you have questions! Have fun! Torrey 

Slide Show

Three months later and I finally got the family reunion slide show done! Wow..sorry that took forever. I couldn't get the slide show to play very clear on the blog so here is the link to it. I will be making an online album with all the pictures so you can download them if you want. I tried to make sure I got everyone in the slide show. A few people sent me pictures, so hopefully we got everyone covered. You can always still send me pictures and I can add them. :) Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8OtYJxoo5M&feature=youtu.be

Shawn and Torrey

Mandy and Shane

Katie and Ben

Travis and Lindsay

Mat and Jill

Kristin and Travis

Jeff and Kimi

Amy and Micheal

Jennifer and Troy

Dad and Lila

Mom and Clair