Yearly Family Update

All is calm,

all is bright

Here's an update

of our family tonight

Angie will graduate

from Nursing School in May.

We'll be travelin' to St. Louis

on her graduation day.

Jake is at BYU

finishing up his degree.

Next, he'd like graduate school,

studying Geography.

Jessica loves chorus

and plays piano too.

She's now in eighth grade

and does well in school.

Carson is eleven

and he's kind & dear.

Hard to see him grow up

each passing year.

Dave has been humbled

by his second ruptured disc.

Somehow he keeps going

in spite all the risks.

Beth has felt love

from all that were aware

of her mom's recent passing.

Thanks for all the dear care.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

My Pickled Beets

3 quarts peeled, cooked beets (about 24 small)
2 cups sugar
2 sticks cinnamon
1 Tablespoon allspice
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
3 1/2 teaspoons vinegar
1 1/2 cups water
DIRECTIONS: Combine all ingredients, except beets in a large sauce pot. Simmer 15 minutes. Pack beets into hot jars, leaving 1/4 inch head space. (Cut large beets in half, if necessary.) Remove cinnamon. Bring pickling liquid to a boil. Pour hot liquid over beets, leaving 1/4 inch head space. Remove air bubbles. Adjust caps. Process pints and quarts 30 minutes in boiling water bath. Yields about 6 pints.
I first had pickled beets at Thanksgiving Dinner with my good friend Elaine M. She's such a good "canning buddy." Anyway, ever since then it has been a family tradition...Enjoy!

She Will Be Missed

The night before the funeral we had a

viewing and slideshow tribute

at the Mortuary

(Martha & Hugh)

Coach (Dad) and Teresa (his caregiver)
waiting for the funeral
Jana, Becky, Jeremiah and Sam, Viewing before the funeral
(Jake holding Joseph, & Michael)

At the funeral, my sister's husband Hugh B. gave the invocation. There were three musical selections: first, "Danny Boy" on the piano by Barry B. a family friend. My mom always loved this song and had told Barry when he was a young boy that she wanted him to play it at her funeral. Second, "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing" by a Men's Chorus consisting of my two brothers, Adam and Mark and all grandsons that were in attendance, Rick, Bill, Robert, Jake, David, Michael and Sam. Third, Mom's oldest great-grandson, Jeremiah, my niece Cassie's son, sang "Families Can Be Together Forever." My sister Martha gave a wonderful eulogy focusing on how my mom was a teacher at heart and was anxious to teach her family and all. Martha's son, Bill B. gave a talk and Bob D., from the stake presidency and long time friend of the family presided over the meeting and gave some closing thoughts about Mom. Mark's daughter Anne S. gave the benediction.

Family & Friends at the graveside, Adam sang "Abide with Me"

Jake dedicated the grave

Cemetery in Laverne, California

I love you Mom.

"You fought the good fight

finished the course

and kept the faith."

(2nd Timothy 4:7)

****************************************

Young Women in Excellence

A wonderful evening

with dinner and tribute

to all the girls in the ward

trying to be the best young women they can.

Jessica checking out her table.

Visiting Teaching Brunch

Relief Society had a Brunch

for all visiting teachers in the ward.

Yummy and Fun

Got Time?