We got snowed on!

That's about 18 inches of snow on the picnic table on the back patio. We've had some melting this week, so we've actually had more snow than this shows. Jonathan was too scared to drive himself to school after the "BIG" storm. (Which actually only dropped a couple of inches) He drove himself (and 2 friends) this morning. I texted him to ask how the drive was and his answer was; fun:). I guess he got used to the snow in the last few days.

Thanksgiving with the Ellises

I really missed being here for this gathering last year. I love this wonderful group of people I'm related to. I found myself wishing I could be in Houston and Denver also, though. With Josh and Meg in Las Vegas the Quincy clan had a small showing this year.. Of course half of the gym is kept open for basketball! Aunt Caitlyn showing off Dex to the the Ellis cousins. Jodi (the great babysitter) holding Scott and Kristi's little Isabel. Dex smiling for his great aunt Chris. Nancy and Erika passing out Christmas gifts. Our family has the tradition of bringing gifts to Thanksgiving dinner. Cute little Wes and his family. His momma is due 4 days before Meg. This was the table for the serious Black Friday planning! Grandpa enjoying one more piece of pie! The poor guy had kidney stone attacks the last 3 nights and was sleep deprived! My mom and Emily. When is this woman going to act her age? We went early to help set up. Usually the family before us leaves the tables up, but for some reason they had put them all away, and there was my 81 year old mother starting to pull the tables out. Thank goodness we got there when we did or she and Dad would have had it all done without us! And yes, Jonathan came and helped with the tables, played the piano, played some speed scrabble and of course ate lots of turkey. We were all happy when Jack and Steph made it!

Joni came to see the new Harry Potter with us earlier in the day and planned to make it for dessert, but since she had to work 2 jobs; a total of 15 hours on Black Friday, I guess she decided to crash after dinner with her roommate. I hope everyone had a great day! I am so blessed and thankful for my family and friends and for the gospel that gives deeper meaning to every aspect of my life!

Remembering Thanksgiving week in Houston and comparing to the approaching storm here

Last year I was in Houston for Thanksgiving. Jenny's baby came early, so I was a couple of weeks late getting there to help. I loved spending time with my Houston families! While I was there, something unheard of happened! SNOW! They closed everything. They cancelled the tree lighting ceremony. I thought it was hilarious how they over reacted to a little snow storm. Jason and I went to the store and no one was there! Some stores were closed, but the ones that were open were pretty empty. Well, the grocery stores were flooded with people stocking up for the storm.
Well, this year I'm here in Utah, and guess what? Another snow storm is expected tonight and everything is shutting down! Here! They called and cancelled our sealing session at the temple tonight. I hurried and went to an afternoon session and as I left heard they'll be closing the temple at 3:00 and not opening tomorrow!! So I went to the grocery store on the way home and....yup is was flooded with people stocking up! My checker said that it had been that way all day, ever since the news said a storm was coming. So I must apoligize to Houston and admit that if we get that crazy about a snow storm, they are certainly justified in doing the same!!

Some of the pictures Laura took at the shower

Meg's great gifts! Posing with Laura's quilt. My sweet sister, Laura. Kristi, Leah and Beth Some great ward members. Nina, Dan's mom. Linda and Bethany Mom, Pam and Amy; 3 great ladies! Debbie Peck, Nita and Patti hiding behind them. Meg admiring the cute bag of food from my sister Marianne. Stephanie The shower had a nursery in the basement, with Jodi taking charge! Thanks Jodi (she even cleaned up the blocks that had been out for 2 days)! thanks for the pictures Laura! You always did such a great job of capturing moments!

Meg's family & ward shower and the painted door

This is the beautiful quilt Laura made for Meg! Of course she loved it!

Meg getting sassed by Bethany and Leah.

Loving this sweet outfit!

Richard painted the front door for the occasion! On a sad side note; Dakota is in dog heaven. Richard took her to the Humane Society to have her put to sleep last week. She was just too old and miserable to make it through another winter! She lived through about 15 winters though.

Joni's new haircut

I should have taken one of the back. Its really cute on her, isn't it?

New Bishopric

The Primary kids made this for Richard;

The Young Women took this picture on Wednesday and gave it to Richard today. This is the old bishopric. They did it! Richard is officially released! The new bishop is Harold Cieslak ( 2 doors down), 1st Counselor is Dean Johnson (the ex-Young Men's President), and Matt Rollins ( a young guys who's wife is expecting their 2nd child). Jonathan realized that Richard will be sitting with us in Sacrament Meeting! Weird!

Meg's first baby shower and Jonathan's first dance

Jonathan picking up his date for the Bingham Ball.

Meg getting into someone's comment! She knew I had to post this one!

Meg and her sister Jill.

Meg and her sister Kellie Meg's old ward (the one she grew up in) gave her a baby shower yesterday. It was fun!
Next week its our family and ward shower!

Quincy updates

Meg; more pregnant than ever! Her first baby shower is this Saturday, then the one I'm having for her is next week! I can't wait!

Josh got rid of the boot and is in a brace now. He thinks he'll be good for 2 more ski trips this year. Jack and Steph are still camera shy. Maybe it has something to do with all the smiling and pictures taken on their wedding day. Jonathan is going to his first school dance Saturday; The Bingham Ball (which is a masquerade this year)

Sunday we find out who the new Bishop is!

Dean turned one year old, Sydney will be one by the end of the month and Tessa will be two before Christmas!

BTW; have you seen Jenny's exciting announcement on her blog?

Jonathan's 200 free at St. George

Jonathan's 100 back at St. George

New truck, swim meet, yard sale and the Carriers

We had a fast and furious trip to St. George yesterday and today.
We stopped to look at a white Toyota truck for Richard on the way there and ended up buying it (Richard had a white Toyota truck when I married him).
I hurried to Jonathan's swim meet and Richard hurried to his Mom's to get some maintenance things done at her house and to help her get ready for a yard sale. He made it over for Jonathan's event; a 200 free (in which he got a best time).
We went to back to his mom's for dinner and the Jazz game and spent the night.
Saturday we helped her set up her yard sale, Richard stayed to help her with the sale and I headed back to the swim meet (luckily the pool is less than a mile from her house). Richard made it for Jonathan's 100 back (another best time).
We left and met Connie and Rob for lunch in St. George at Ruby River.
We headed back to Richard's mom's to clean up the stuff and headed home; Me in the van, Jonathan on the bus with the team and Richard in his truck.
I got home at 6:50 and changed and made it to the adult session of stake conference before the opening prayer! Richard made it to the last 2 talks. I'll upload the videos of Jonathan's swims tomorrow. BTW his team took 2nd place out of 19 or 20 teams.

Good bye for now Uncle Glen!

Uncle Lee and Dad saying goodbye to Uncle Glen. So glad they made it in time!

My Uncle Glen passed to the next life last night. He was an amazing man, who set a wonderful example for me! I have so many good memories of reunions at his Bear Lake cabin from when I was tiny until I was a mom. I especially loved the fireside sing-alongs. I'll never sing "Sipping Cider Through A Straw" without wishing Uncle Glen were there to lead it. He was good!

I'm so thankful that I made it to the Ellis family reunion this summer! I really didn't have time to go. I had to be somewhere 30 minutes after it started and it was at least a 30 minute drive to get there, but I left early hoping I'd find someone there and almost all of my Aunts and Uncles, my Mom and Dad and lots of my cousins were there! Thankfully I got that last hug and kiss from Uncle Glen before I left. I want to be just like him when I grow up!

Newsflash!

The Stake President came to our ward yesterday to announce that we will get a new Bishop the Sunday after Stake Conference. Richard doesn't seem too nervous. He could be the new Bishop or he could be in the nursery with me in a couple of weeks!