Sam n' Me

This is Sam and Me. Sam just turned 11. He is a swell guy. The best thing about Sam is his giggly sense of humor. He is a very mellow fellow and he is just plain fun to have around. He is very good at putting things together. Last night he showed me and grandpa his Hot Wheels track - that he has no problem assembling. He also had an awesome KNex thingy assembled in his room. His mom says he routinely spends time working Legos. I think he's an engineer in the making. He's also an avid reader. Sam does very well in school and everyone likes Sam. Tenderhearted Sam is a wonderful brother to his 4 sisters.
Happy Birthday, Sam.

Stake Creche Festival

Our stake has been putting on a Christmas Creche Festival for at least 10 years. Over 600 nativity scenes are on display. Most are from members of the Church, but about 30% are from non-members in the community. It runs for 4 days and several musical groups from the community perform. I have displayed my collection each year and usually find one to add each year. This year I added a handmade, crocheted nativity from my daughter, Megan. Thanks Meg, it is beautiful.
Here are a couple photos of the whole cultural hall. They go to great lengths to decorate beautifully and create a lovely environment for the displays.
 
 Here's a photo of my nativities. The Boyd's Bears nativity is always a favorite, and it is the only one of its kind on display. My oldest nativity is an Olive Wood from the Holy Land. My brother brought it back from one of his visits to Israel. I've had it for at least 20 years (I think). I also have one from Spain and Ukrainian nesting dolls from Josh and Courtney's trip to Europe, the Philippines from Jared's mission, 2 from Ecuador from Micah's mission service, two from our trip to Alaska, one from Sarah's trip to New Zealand, a German Pyramid, a triptych, pottery from New Mexico, and several ornaments I did not display this year. I cherish each of these nativities, as each has special meaning to me. There are others in the photo which do not belong to me, but were in too close proximity to keep them out of the photo.

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Thanskgiving 2008 Arizona

A Big Thank You to Micah and Sarah for allowing us to spend Thanksgiving with them. They were the perfect hosts. They made us all feel so welcomed and at home. Dinner was terrific - even if it was their first attempt at cooking a turkey! It was perfect.
The boys enjoyed having their own table. The reds got up and ran around, but Jackson stayed vigilant over his plate. I think it he was kind of amazed at the constant movement of his cousins.
Lacey loved her mommy's carrot casserole and the sweet potatoes. She is the most pleasant baby. I don't think she ever cried while we were there.
We had some good dogpiles! Jackson has dog piling down to an artform. I think he kind of enjoyed having so many guys just his size to hang out with.

Emily and Aaron enjoyed lounging on the comfy sofa.

And we had a great time seeing all the lights at the Phoenix Zoo, while all the animals were tucked into bed. We could smell them, but we couldn't see them. The light show was amazingly entertaining.
I won't talk about the drive home on I-5. Suffice it to say the 12 hour drive took 18 hrs. The kids were real troopers. We would have stopped and got a motel, if it wasn't for dad having to work in the morning.

Grandma & Grandpa Hawley

We had Grandma & Grandpa Hawley over for a pre-Thanksgiving dinner, since we will not be here to celebrate with them.
I've told them about blogs, but they didn't really get it, so I decided to show them. They had a great time viewing every one's blogs and seeing your current news. I also showed them the "comment" portion of blogging and they got a kick out of it. I asked them if they had anything they would like to include on this post and they said they would like to set the record straight about my behavior as a pre-schooler. They said if I was a bit too precocious, it was only because my brothers were mean to me. I told them I wasn't going to say that, but grandpa/dad made me promise.
They loved seeing a goodly portion of their great-grands, and wish all their grandchildren had blogs to look at.
They seem to be doing well, but have their good days and bad. All in all, they are doing well for an 88 & 89 yr old. They still go to church every Sunday, but don't always make it for the full block. Grandpa's legs are getting very weak and he has trouble walking. They both use walkers. Grandma is not nearly as sharp as she used to be, but still likes to know what is going on with people - even if you have to repeat it several times.
She got stuck in the bathroom at church today. It is too hard to explain how the stall doors got stuck, but she was in there a long time. Their previous bishop noticed her walker had been there outside the restroom for a long time, so he sent someone in to check on her. She said she was about ready to crawl under the stall door to get out. That would have been a sight!!
They send their love to all.

Prop 8 Backlash

It seems we have not heard the end of Prop 8. Even though Californians "again" voted to keep gay marriage out of the state, the opponents are not going to be satisfied. Now they want to boycott any who donated funds to the proposition. All names of donators are public information. We also read in the newspaper today that a suspicious white powder was received in an envelope at both the Los Angeles and SLC temples. Hazmat confirmed the powder was not toxic. It is shameful that those who work selflessly and without compensation at the temples have to fear for their safety.
Bud received the following letter in the mail at his office on Wednesday from a group called KickingALion.wordpress.com

To whom it may concern,

We are writing in regards to your company's support of California's Proposition 8. While we appreciate every citizens right to freedom of speech and freedom of belief, Proposition 8 singles out a group of people for discrimination. It undermines our basic freedoms.

As a result I am sure you will understand why, in these difficult economic times, we will be notifying the gay community of your opposition to our civil rights, and will be encouraging them to boycott your company. Seeing as you do not believe gay citizens to be equal, I am certain that you will find our money inferior too.

Sincerely,
A Billings

The letter was postmarked from Los Angeles.

Any of Bud's patients who are gay would already know his position regarding Prop 8, as he had yard signs, flyers and door hangers available at his office. If they were offended, they did not say.

This group must obviously be identifying themselves with Lions, and using that as a metaphor to not kick a lion. How interesting they would choose this animal who is known as the King of the Jungle and lives with only females for the purpose of producing offspring. In no other animal species do we see homosexuality, (some my wish to debate this) other than humans.

The gay community will not rest until they feel they belong equally in the "marriage club." Even Elton John says they should be content with Civil Unions - that marriage is for heterosexuals. Some in the gay community think the post election tactics of angry gays are taking them back 20 years in their quest for equality.

It also looks like the argument will continue in the courts, and we may again lose the power of a majority vote. Just when you thought your vote counted for something!!! Arghhh!!!

YC Sikh Parade

Yes, it was time for the annual Sikh Parade in Yubaville. It is nothing like it was when we first moved here. The parade route is longer - from their temple on Tierra Buena Road, down to the stake center, around Civic Center and back to their temple. The influx of out of town Sikhs is huge - 80,000 attendees! The parade brings in millions in revenues from all the additional people. The parade route is lined with Ben Toilets, food vendors, and other vendors of Indian trinkets. It takes some maneuvering to get to the church from our home.
I am somewhat saddened by the many changes the local Sikh people have undergone, since we have lived here. I believe it is indicative of what we, as a people, face daily from the onslaught of worldly values. The Sikhs in our community used to adhere closely to their religion and family values. Now we see them embracing western ways. Very few Sikh men in our area continue to wear the turban. I would say only those men and women over 50 continue with the traditional dress. Of course, today at the parade, traditional dress was resplendently abundant. I think their culture in our society is falling prey to moral relativism - they are losing their family values, and religious values as they embrace western ways. Maybe I am feeling so strongly about this as we approach the vote on Prop 8, and the vote on who will lead our country for the next four years. Will Californians, and all Americans cave to what the minority deems is right? Have we become too afraid to stand for morality and integrity? Enough of my soapbox - here is a taste of the parade. It was a good excuse to cut out of Sunday School class :)
I apologize for video quality. We used our regular digital camera.

Dad/Bud's 8

I had to twist the guy's arm to give me some answers. I didn't twist too hard, since it was his birthday. I will forego the rules, since he refused to tag anyone else - "I don't have a blog, so why should I tag people."

8 favorite TV shows
1. Monday Night Football
2. Thursday Night Football
3. Friday Night Football
4. Saturday College Football
5. Amazing Race
6. NCIS
7. Quantum Leap
8. Jag

8 Things I did yesterday
1. Showered
2. Shaved
3. Dressed
4. Read the paper
5. Ate
6. Went to Stake Conference and wrestled with the redheads.
7. Had dinner with Lyons and Runyans
8. Blew out candles on my cake

8 Things I look forward to
1. Taking off my shoes
2. A vacation
3. Going to bed
4. Working in the temple
5. Going on a mission
6. Spring
7. Fall
8. Next Family Reunion

8 Favorite Restaurants
Applebees
Red Robin
Costa Vida
Casa Lupe
In & Out
Claim Jumper
Marie Callendar's
El Torito

8 Things on my wish list
1. Out of Debt
2. Retirement
3. Go on a mission
4. Bigger TV
5. Lose Weight
6. More time
7. a 2 week vacation
8. All my kids to live within 100 miles