Christmas Fun

You know the song "I'm dreaming of a white Christmas," Not only did we have one but Christmas eve we got 6 beautiful more inches. It made for somewhat treacherous driving and several forays out to the sidewalk to shovel and blow. We even had someone get stuck in our driveway. As the day warmed up, the snow became perfect snowman/snowball fight worthy. The kids, and of course the dogs, all went out to battle, with sides quickly taken and forts built. It's hard to know if there was a winner but fun was had by all. Working on the perfect fort.

Kristan and Branden rolling the perfect balls

Patrick and Trayce putting the finishing touches on theirs

Grandma trying to get Jeff to model his Christmas shirt.

A very tired Syd hates getting his picture taken. He only plowed the driveway three times. Isn't great to be in Idaho. Patrick and Kristan, I think they cheated on the Ticket to Ride game.

(Mark, we got our own copy so now you can bring new games for us to enjoy)

It was a lovely day, with good food, good company and movies galore to watch. Santa was extra generous in that category.
We hope your Christmas was equally as nice.

Christmas Letter 2008

I must apologize up front, I am lazy andthe time has gotten away from me so I am posting our Christmas letter here and not sending them out.

This is truly a wonderful time of year. It’s not just the lights, the songs, the food or the overall feeling of giving, but a time when one reflects on the role the birth of the Savior plays in our lives and also our achievements and failures of the past year. We have had a few, nothing worth bragging about.
Syd, thankfully, despite all the financial woes of the nation, is still able to go work each day. Like everyone else he has tightened his belt, but has been able to keep his crew, all two of them. We are ever thankful for this. He is still serving as Bishop of the BYU-I 67th Marrieds Ward and loving it. They constantly teach us so much. Sadly, he had the unfortunate opportunity to preside over a graveside service for one of the littlest of his ward. It was very humbling.
One of perks that came with this calling is the opportunity to participate in the Rexburg Temple open house and dedication. We served several times in giving directions, parking cars, and dumping garbage. Then we were able to attend the first dedicatory session, sitting in the hall just outside the sealing rooms. It was a wonderful and memorable experience. We love going with his ward to this beautiful temple.
In August we (our stake) moved into our own building. It’s a beautiful 8 ward stake center, with 2 of everything, chapels, kitchens, libraries, mother’s lounges, Primary and Relief Society Rooms, even two nurseries with a tiny toilet. Currently it is the largest stake center in the church, at least until they finish the one they are building next to campus.
Ruth Ann is still serving as the first counselor of the BYU-I 8th Stake Relief Society. They keep her busy with their enrichments and constant changing of presidencies. At least all the wards are now in the same building. This makes it so much easier. She also, still works as a Library aide at the High School. Most days she enjoys working with the teenagers, but they have their moments. She also made several trips to SLC to help her sisters entertain her father while their mother recovered from surgery. She became quite a pro at hanging out in waiting rooms.
Patrick is two semesters closer to graduating with a degree in accounting. When he isn’t going to school, he is working with his dad. Kristan and He still live/rent our basement. They have spent the last year teaching a most challenging primary class of 4 year olds. It has taken most of the year, but they learned to love them. Patrick signed up for the Air Force Reserves and in January will be leaving for boot camp at the Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. Hopefully this will be a successful step for him in his career.
The Beazers are hoping everyone has a wonderful Christmas and New Year.
Syd, Ruth Ann, Patrick and Kristan