Cruises

 For most of my life, I thought that I could never go on a cruise.  I was sure that my motion sickness would keep me safely on solid ground.  But when John and Katherine said they wanted to go on a cruise to Antarctica, my competitive spirit took over and I knew I had to go.  Armed with scopolamine patches and plenty of dramamine, I got on the ship and I survived.  In fact I loved it.  Although we haven't been on too many ocean cruises, I can say that I love it now.  Months before the mission call came, we booked a  Caribbean Cruise and it was wonderful.  

Fort Lauderdale - Bahamas -Jamaica -Roatan, Honduras - Belize - Cozumel - Key West

10 Fantastic days on Holland America's Eurodam.

Maximum Capacity 2104 passengers

Small compared to the giant Royal Caribbean - Icon of the Seas

Maximum Capacity 7600 passengers and 2350 crew.

I am not sure that I would enjoy that as much. 

I'll stick with the smaller HAL ships.

A few things I loved

The steel drum band

Trinidad and Tobago's national instrument

They performed classical music as well as show tunes.

Amazing talent! None of them read music.  They learn new songs just by listening and copying.

Yummy food from pizzas to fancy meals to lobster rolls.

No reason to ever be hungry on a cruise.

Beautiful sunsets!

Love shipmates with a sense of humor!

And yes, it is easy to get turned around and lost on a cruise ship.

Sometimes strange things happen - like George getting a pedicure!

What a wonderful way to relax and enjoy spending time together before we head off to Peru for 18 months!

Broken Wrist

 Remember George's car accident way back in October?  

He was very lucky to walk away with only minor injuries, or so we thought.

5 weeks after the accident, when his wrist was still hurting quite a bit, he went to the doctor.  This x-ray showed that he had broken a bone in his wrist.  It is not uncommon for such a break to not show up on the x-rays taken immediately after an accident. Six weeks after his wreck he finally got in to see an orthopedist who put on a cast. Luckily no surgery required.

Everyone loved signing his cast!

Thanks Matt for the idea.

We think it makes a fashion statement.

The arrow actually starrted out as an ink dribble but I turned it into an arrow that points to the exact spot of the break.

Now with a little more luck, it will be healed so that he can swim when we go on our cruise in a few weeks.

Christmas Traditions

 Christmas traditions are important to me.  That's probably one reason that I have a ridiculous number of Christmas decorations.  Some of them my Grandma Boyle made before I was born, others I remember from my childhood, still more from the time when we had little kids plus so many from our trips. I collect nativity scenes and also try to get a tree ornament at each destination. I love them and find joy each year when I get them out.

Traditions of things that we 'do' are even more important.  During my growing up years, all of my Daddy's family came to our house for Christmas Eve.  First we went to our different churches for a Christmas Eve service and then all my aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents came to our house for eggnog and good food.A few years  after I was married the electricity went out during the party.  Unsure what to do with a crowd in a dark house, a new tradition of singing Christmas carols together was born!  Funniest of all, we sang 'The Twelve Days of Christmas" with different people taking each verse.  My Daddy's sister, Maudie, always sang, '3 French hens' and although she could not carry a tune, she was quick to laugh at herself and that just added to the fun. After Maudie passed away, we never sang again because it was just too painful. George and I did renew this tradition when we lived in Spain by inviting all our friends over for food and carol singing on Christmas Eve.  

Our George Lewis family traditions have evolved over the years.  When the kids were little, we acted out the nativity story and also read 'The Polar Express' and of course left out cookies and milk for Santa. 

Our children all have sweet memories of first Grandpa Walt Lewis and now Grandpa George Lewis reciting the Harrison R Merril Poem

'Christmas Eve on the Desert" 

They remember all the years as little children when they didn't understand the poem at all and just felt anxious for the evening to end so Santa could come.  When they were teenagers, the beauty of the poem and the tender sentiments expressed became clear. Now it is a treasured reading every Christmas Eve.

On Christmas morning we open gifts one person at a time. I love this because then you get to see the reactions as special gifts are opened.  When it is a free for all, you miss seeing the recipients delight.

Now that we have adult children and grandchildren, traditions have evolved and we seem to have hit upon the perfect mix for this stage of life.

This year I loved listening to 9 year old Isabella anticipate the Christmas traditions.  Her excitement about the games and food made all the work that goes into making this holiday special well worth the time and effort!

Christmas Eve starts with ornament making.  Every year since 2011, we have made ornaments. You can see them on our tree in this photo of Matt and Cady and their cute dogs, Millie and Baby Dog.  The boys do occasionally grumble about 'crafts' but they are good sports and make one each year!

Games are next on the agenda!  From a marshmallow toss to Christmas Tree Cup Stack to mini golf, they are all so fun.  This year we added 'Oregon Trail' and 'Left, Right, Center' to the mix.

Monica won the grand prize for the "Left, Right, Center" game and promptly gave the $24 to Isabella.

Our competitive Isabella really wanted to win the big games competition. (Although the $24 did make her happy too)  She always does want to win any game she plays but this year she really, really did.  Last year Cady suggested that I buy a trophy to pass around to the winner each year.  And I did.

Isabella coveted that trophy.

We had a Christmas miracle.

I won the game competition!

First time ever!

Isabella really did not think this was fair since I bought the trophy!

After all these years, I finally won so I am keeping it for the year.

This might be the only time I ever win.  George had the handicap of a cast on his arm.  Matt was having severe back pain. And Johnny missed the games because he was working.  Scott came in a close 2nd.

This was MY year!

Game traditions!  Ornament making traditions!  And of course food traditions!

Tomato Basil Parmesan Soup with sandwich fixings....

And the oh so important to Isabella, chocolate fountain....

Her favorite thing to drizzle with chocolate -  the angel food cake!

I agree!

Christmas morning - It's all about the presents and the food again.

Breakfast pizza and cinnamon rolls!

 I made the comment that since everyone loves these two items so much, I should make them more often.

Interestingly the consensus was that I shouldn't.  They like them being special for Christmas morning.

Before and after breakfast we opened presents.

There were a lot of very thoughtful ones!

Not the most important part of Christmas but still so fun!

By the end of the festivities I felt like I should have been wearing Matt's hat.

But I would need it to say

'Tired but oh so happy!'

Next year we will be enjoying Christmas in Peru and trying to make it special for over 100 missionaries who are also far from home.

I can hardly wait!

But I will really miss all these faces!

Christmas In West Virginia

 I gave Mary a sweatshirt for Christmas that said, "Life is better with my boys".  I think she would agree that Christmas is better with her boys.  Jackson, Mark and the new little foster baby!  The baby's birth mother's parental rights were terminated a few weeks ago so it appears that he will become a permanent part of our family.  I couldn't be happier! Hopefully before too long we can share his cute face on social media.

Poor little guy had RSV for Christmas.  His fever finally broke and the meds helped so I think he did enjoy the excitement.

The Reynolds family has the tradition of going out to eat on Christmas Eve.  I love that these boys have so many Reynolds cousins plus a Nana and aunts and uncles on that side of the family.

Back at home Jackson carefully lined up carrots to lead Santa's reindeer to his house. Pretty smart!

And laid out more carrots and a cookie for the jolly old gentleman himself!

From the looks of their living room, the carrots worked and toys were in abundance!

Jackson is following in his Uncle Johnny's footsteps with a love of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Uncle Johnny even parted with his vintage hat from the 1st Turtle Movie.

That is quite a sacrifice.  Johnny's had that hat since he was 5 years old and went to see the movie - way back in 1990.

"HEROES IN A HALF-SHELL!  TURTLE POWER!"

Mary spends a lot of time playing games with Jackson.

I hope he enjoys the Mousetrap game and that it isn't too frustrating.

Mary reports that Jackson's favorite toy is his racetrack.

It does look amazing and like something he and Daddy will enjoy together.  

When we can't be together for Christmas, I am so thankful for a thoughtful son-in-law and daughter who share lots of photos.  And for Facetime so I can almost feel like I am there.

Giving Machines Come to Boise

In 2017, our church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, introduced the 'Light the World Giving Machines'.  They are essentially reverse vending machines.  Instead of receiving a can of pop or a bag of chips, you can swipe your card to choose an item to donate and the item is distributed to a local or an international nonprofit organization.  The Church covers all operating expenses, including credit card fees, so that the nonprofits receive 100% of the donations.

I've waited and hoped for several years and  finally they came to Boise!

We loved doing our part to help 'Light the World'.

Thinking of our horse loving Scott, I decided on supporting a vulnerable youth through 

EQUINE THERAPY.

Remembering how important goats are to the families we know and love in Kenya, George purchased a GOAT!

The Giving Machines have been a worldwide phenomena, with more than 2 million people donating over $32 million since 2017.  

Among the items you can buy are school supplies, groceries, clean water, meals, immunizations, blankets, hygiene kits, toys, books, even a toilet, livestock (like George's goat)....and the list goes on and on.

These machines give people a way to bring

light and hope to others this Christmas.

I am glad we could participate this year.

In 2024 the Giving Machines will be in 107 cities in 13 countries on five continents.

And for the first time ever there is one in Africa and it's in Nairobi, Kenya.

Such a joyful and memorable experience.

Merry Christmas!

Light the World!

Wicked

On Friday Isabella and I went to 'The Village', a very nice outdoor shopping mall, to see the movie version of 'Wicked'.  I had totally not taken into account that it was 'Black Friday' and 'The Village' is very popular. 

I am not exaggerating when I say that we spent 35 minutes, mostly stopped in traffic gridlock, looking for a spot.  Just about the time the movie was going to start, Isabella said, "There is a spot".  Unfortunately for me, it required parallel parking.  And I hate parallel parking. In fact I avoid parallel parking at all costs BUT the movie was about to start so I attempted it.  I admit that I was probably 3 feet from the curve and I spent the entire movie hoping my car wouldn't be towed or side swiped.  And it wasn't!  Isabella told me that her Daddy could park in the spot easily in one try and I don't doubt that.  Without comparing myself to John or to George, I was pretty proud of myself.  

And we loved the movie.  Isabella gave it a 10 out of 10.

I give any time spent with this girl at 10 out of 10 - even in traffic gridlock and with parallel parking.