"THE SIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS"

Merry Christmas, Dear Alert Readers!  Yeah  . . . it's me again: Rory isn't here.  She explained to me that it's time for ME to write once in a while. It takes a LOT out of her to write a whole blog!

So I've been in my robe ALL DAY. I AM SICK! AAACK!  Been watching Christmas movies and "working" on my computer. I did actually write our Christmas Greeting email this afternoon. We are not sending REAL cards . . . so this email greeting will be "it" for this year.  If we have your correct email address, you should receive the greeting!  There are several pictures of our sweet Rory attached. So beware . . .   ;-]  If you don't like pictures of babies, you won't like our "greetings"!  And to you I say, "Bah! Humbug!"  Bwahahaha!

Yesterday was a very big day in our family. Chris' 50^th birthday was on Nov. 30^th. And Chris and Kristin are celebrating their 25^th Anniversary on Dec. 29^th. Ali decided to celebrate BOTH events with a big party last night. Just having the big party would have been cool enough, but –as a surprise to Chris- his parents and ALL SIX of his siblings came into town to celebrate with their son and big brother!  They brought some spouses and a bevy of kids too. Chris had absolutely NO idea! What a complete surprise for him when he walked into Cracker Barrel to have a nice, quiet lunch with his wife and parents . . . but when they approached the table set up for them, sitting there were his brothers and sisters, etc.!  He was soooo surprised and touched that they would all come so far (some from Ohio, some from Colorado) for his birthday. They ALL burst into tears. It was truly "A Sight Before Christmas"! 

Chris is still enjoying the company of his family. Most are still here in town- leaving tomorrow. What a terrific weekend this is for him! No one deserves it more.

Rory stayed with us while the family met at Cracker Barrel.  I felt fine the whole time she was here.  We got her all bathed and dressed and ready to meet a WHOLE new bunch of family members.  She is a big hit with the Bowler clan!  ;-]   Trevor came to get her and take her home to meet everybody.  An hour later, Denny and I met Chris, Krissy, and Chris' parents (Bruce and Julie) at a restaurant for dinner. On the way home, I suddenly felt very sick.  We stopped by our house for a few minutes to give me a minute to settle my stomach- then we went over to the big birthday-anniversary party at the kids' house. It was really a nice party- lots of people there!  We got to see Chris' family and, of course, other friends and family. We didn't stay too long. I still didn't feel well, and we needed to come home early. But Ali did a great job, and the party was fun.

This morning, early, Denny got a call from a counselor in our Bishopric, asking him to speak in Sac. Mtg. tomorrow!  Plus, since I am sick, he will be teaching our teenage class too. He's up to it, of course!

JOKE OF THE DAY: What did the Minnesotan say to the Pillsbury Doughboy?

 . . . .  NICE TAN!!!!  . . . .

Bwahahahahaha!!!!!!!  Until next time . . . . aloha o'e!