With each telling, the flames get higher!

I'd like to publicly apologize (again) to the Santaquin City Firefighters for making them suit up and leave the comforts of home on Christmas eve to respond to a frantic 911 call about our holiday bonfire. My intention was to start a new tradition that was both memorable and didn't involve money & gifts. Well, this is one Christmas eve I'll never forget!

Grandpa Dick (who passed away on August 3rd) used to tell stories about the Christmas Eve bonfires they used to have when he was a kid. It was all very nostalgic and since I have grown a bit cynical about gifts as of late, my goal has been to do things at this time of year that create memories. A couple years ago we went cross country skiing at Soldier Hollow where Brad set up phone communication for the Olymics in 2002, one year we saw A Christmas Carol at the Hale theatre... you get the idea. So in memory of Grandpa, Linds and I thought it would be sweet to sing some carols around a little bonfire. Then the Henders got involved (they add excitment to any gathering) and donated some cookie palets, Brad got the back-hoe, and another neighbor showed up with some gasoline. Can you see where we're going with this? By the time I realize this is gonna be a BIG fire it's too late to notify the authorities because they were already on their way over. Good sports that they were, when they saw that it was 'under control' they asked "where's the marshmellows?" Funny thing is, this fire was so hot, you'd need a roasting stick fifteen feet long to avoid singeing your eyelashes.

Good times... they're already talking about next years bonfire and how it's going to be even bigger. Heaven help us [and someone get the proper permits!]

Christmas is Creeping up on us again!

I'm so glad it snowed! I love snow. It really feels like Christmas now. Maybe it''s because I moved to Kanab in the winter of 1974 and saw my first icicles and snow when I was eleven that I really knew what I had been missing!

I just got back from Idaho where I attended the Rexburg Idaho temple (my niece's wedding) so Utah feels downright balmy. I got to drive up with my sister and her family and they actually like to sing Christmas carols while driving in the car so I was loving it. We got bored with just singing them so we started using special sound effects like 'the opera voice' or 'under the sea'. We sounded pretty bad but it was a riot.

Well, it's less than a week now and I still haven't thought of a good present for my hubby (any suggestions? I'm desperate). I know I can just get something boring like a corduroy shirt but that would just be.............................. boring. Help. What he really wants is to be in Hawaii with the Jones but that ain't gonna happen (man, it's tough trying to keep up with the Joneses!). Haylie got a pricey gift this year. I'll give you a hint... they are silver and shiny with red & green elastics on them.

Well, have a Merry one everybody and remember; you won't get it all done before Christmas eve but you will get to the most important things becasuse somehow they always get done!