So Jeff commented the other day that a picture of me on one of our posts made me look like a sick zombie. At first, I didn't want to believe it. In fact, I was a little offended. I am not a zombie. But I wanted to clear the air and dispense with any rumor concerning my zombie state. As you can all tell, I look fine. In fact, I'm clearly still carrying around some of that "Christmas weight." I'll get it off before this holiday season. It's a vicious cycle.
As you can see, here is a most miserable person, one who is coughing, headachy, phlegmy, etc. It just doesn't get any sadder than this. Poor Scott started coughing last night and has been getting generally sicker as the day has progressed. He told me to tell you all "hey," in a very weak voice, with a tiny cough at the end. Breaks your heart, dutin it? Well he may live until tomorrow but probably no school for him.
So how are all of you? Brett is now referring to my weekly phone calls as blog fodder. Well so be it, at least I know that you are alive and kicking. Last week was pretty slow, I can't stand being out of work, the days go so slowly. Having a day off just doesn't mean as much unless you have earned it.
Jenna & Blake just got home from Las Vegas today. Okay I did report that last week, they got home from Las Vegas but surprise! It was this weekend. Jenna reported they saw two Broadway shows, "Phantom" and some other thing but she got sick on Saturday and so they scaled down their activities a lot. When they got home today to pick up the kids, who were at the neighbors playing in their yard, on swings and slides, with toys surrounding them, they really weren't too thrilled to see their parents. Anyone with a couple of dimes in their pockets, we need to set up a "Get a yard!" fund in Blake & Jenna's name. I would be happy to contribute. Wait, I don't have a job. Well I'll try my best.
Jeff & Ash had a quiet weekend. Jeff went to a Jazz game and didn't tell me whether they won or lost. His school has reached a million minutes of reading time, so they are in contention for the Jazz player to come to their school. Jeff said the parents are as excited as the kids however they only have a communal space for 1000 people and there are 950 children in his school. So if the Jazz player comes, they have to keep it a secret, so only the kids will take part.
Brett & Tara are doing very well. Tara apparently is being sent by her work to Calgary, Canada in March (or April) for some training. She's so excited and Brett gets to. . . stay at home with Stella, sadly enough.
Brandon & Anna are happy and propering in Indiana, no tornado warnings for a couple of weeks. Granty is learning how to say his ABC's. By the time Anna comes in April, he will be reading at the very least, "Horton Hears a Who."
Jason & Sara are leaving tomorrow for Phoenix. They will be attending a real estate investing school and are staying with Jenna & Blake until Saturday.
My dad is so thankful that Jenna & Jeff have both called him within the last two weeks. You just don't know how that makes their day. Grandpa K - 356-5697, Grandpa & Grandma S - 624-4205. Scott took Grandma in to get her hair styled yesterday and then helped her get some groceries. She just can't drive anymore and neither can Ross, so the boys help them quite a bit and are grateful to do it. They are the greatest people. They have many hardships but you'd never know unless you really had to dig it out, then Grandma S will just say, "well we'll be okay, don't worry about us."
Our temple here has been running on the reservation system since it started and now has realized that during the day, it's not necessary. So you only have to call in after 3:45pm. They are still working out the bugs. I guess the reservation lines, there are six, have been ringing off the hook, with few people to answer because it's all just volunteers. People are getting angry and upset because a lot can't get through, so it's been a mess. I might go up and volunteer until I can find a job.
Cash sends his love, covered with dog hairs to all of you. We got 3 inches of snow today, it was beautiful, but is melting also. I think our bad winter storms are over for the year. We still need rain however to fill up the reservoirs. Thank goodness the roads have been clear. We love you and hopefully dad will feel better soon and won't be so pathetic. We love you! Ma & Pa Shirley
Okay, what do you think of our new ride? Pretty awesome, huh? It rides so nicely and I really like it. Jeff, what do you think? Do you want to buy this in 2 years? I'm sure I'll be sick of it by then, or I will have wrecked it in December of 2008. It has been quite an eventful week. It all started out with Jeff's escapades in the "Great Blizzard of 2008." Check the link on the blog to see all about it. What I can't believe is that the superintendent of the Alpine School District actually had the gall to have school the following day after all the kids and teachers had spent the night in the school! I know I wouldn't have sent my kids. How was the attendence Jeff? Crazy...
Isn't this just the greatest picture? This is how I'll always remember Earl, out working in his field. Okay it has nothing to do with Valentine's Day but I thought you'd like to see it anyway! How are things? Notice I actually posted this time instead of creating a whole 'nother freakin blogspot. Geez.
Well last week was great, Dad was out of school on Thursday because the wind was blowing so hard and it snowed us in, so I didn't have to work either! Of all the years to really need a snow blower and we can't buy one up here because they are all sold out. Anyone wants to purchase one for us, let us know! Jeff, maybe check with Allan? I'm afraid dad is going to have a heart attack with all the shoveling he's doing. Meanwhile I took the garbage across the bridge last Monday and then turned and caught my foot on the edge of the bridge and took a header right into the canal! You try to swim out of 4' of snow with no base and then climb back up on the bridge. It about killed me but I bet it was a funny thing to watch.
I hope everyone got their packages by now so you will have a Happy Valentine's Day! We love you and want you to make it a special day for each other! Then if we have more grandchildren in 9 months, that's all good! Except for you, Jenna. You're getting a little long in the tooth to have any more kids. j/k
Haven't heard very much from you guys, Brandon & Anna had another tornado watch last week as you heard about all the tornadoes in Tennessee and Arkansas. A few slipped up into Indiana so the sirens were going off. How scary! They are fine however. Brandon said school is heavy duty and his duties as a ward clerk is taking its toll. He usually spends about 6-8 hours at the church on Sundays. I told him to play the sick card a day and sleep in, right? Yah, like you all haven't ever done that.
Jenna & Blake are fine, enjoying their new piano, it took them 6 hours to get it to the house but it's worth it. Jeff & Ash are hanging in there with Jeff's class being numero uno in his reading challenge! So the Jazz might come to his school! Can't get hold of Brett to see how they are doing. Brett or Tara, call me!
Jase & Sara are working hard at their business. Sara is quitting her job this Wednesday so she can help Jason full time. Good for them and good luck!
The temple dedication was great this morning. President Monson was delightful in his comments. As he was putting mortar in for the cornerstone, he dropped a little and then when it was Uncle Brent's turn, he told him to pick it up and that that was repentence. Cute. There were four sessions and we went to the 1st one. President Monson was 1/2 hour late however as the fog was so bad at IF they had to land in Pocatata and then drive up to Rexburg. Dad gets to work tomorrow for 2 hours, checking recommends. It will be the first time ever that a temple is open on Monday and then it will close every Monday like the other temples. It is beautiful, please come up and we can go to a session!
So we miss you and pray for you all constantly with your schooling and work. You guys are all just the best and we love all of you so much. We couldn't have asked for better a better son in law and daughters in law, you are all so special and make this family so fun and interesting.
Oh by the way, Grandpa Shirley is back in the hospital with another nose bleed and they kept him overnight to give some blood back to him. Maybe a call to Grandma Shirley would be nice. Her phone is 624-4205. So that is all, oh also call G Kinghorn once in awhile. He commented the other day that none of you ever call him, but then Jenna did and he was so thrilled to have heard from her. Take just a minute, it will make their day.
Well we love you and wish the best for you. Hug all our beautiful grandchildren for us and tell them we love them too. Be good, love, Ma & Pa Shirley
Due to peer pressure, we caved and started our own blog. You can now find us on the web here: at-the-copa.blogspot.com. Never fear, we will still contribute to the family blogs.
