Great way to end 2008

Our family had blast ending our 2008. The day after Christmas we trucked down to Arizona to a little vacation rental in Queen Creek. From Friday through Wednesday we hung out with Tiffany's family. All of Tiff's siblings, together with all of their children, met together for the weekend. Saturday, Sunday, and Monday we had a get together with Tiff's aunts, uncles, cousins, and lots of other family. It was wonderful to hang out with everyone. As each day came more family arrived. The Saturday and Sunday gatherings were at Tiff's cousin Jeff's place. Here is a picture of all of Tiffany's siblings with their respective spouses, and all of their children together at one time.



On Monday we met at a park in Mesa. The kids got to feed the ducks and play basketball, wiffleball, and soccer.



On Sunday I attended my home ward from when I was 13-18 years old. It was almost 20 years since I had been in that building. I talked to my old Bishop and got the chance to thank him for all the time he spent helping me learn how to be a husband and father. I also got to see my High School Speech and Debate coach, who had moved into my old ward several years ago. In Priesthood I was asked to introduce myself. After I sat down the guy next to me said he knew my father. He introduced himself as "Brother Smith" and I asked him "are you Karla's dad?" He said yes and I told him that he and I used to be home teaching companions.

We were having so much fun I suggested we stay an extra day. The drive home Thursday took a long time because the Hoover Dam traffic was backed up over two miles with California folk heading to Vegas for New Years.

Once we got home I took two of my neices to "Partyland" to get New Years party favors. We also picked up a bunch of "over the hill" decorations for Tiffany's sister (my neices' mother) Janelle. We gave Janelle an inflatable walker, a sash that said "40 and fabulous", an "over the hill" pin that had flashing lights, and a couple of books (we had to throw in a few real gifts). Janelle was a good sport and wore the gear all night. When midnight came we toasted with apple cider and we watched the fireworks on TV. It was a fun ending to a neat year for our family.

Christmas 2008

It is a wonderful Christmas morning in the Sampson home. We have Tiffany's family visiting with us. Janelle and her children arrived a few days ago. Her husband, Ed, flew in yesterday. Last night we had a fondue and gormet dinner, with a chocolate fountain as an extra treat for the kiddies (all 9 of them). Sydney gave a wonderful dinner prayer that made sure the "Guest of Honor" was a part of our Christmas festivities.

After dinner we gathered around the Christmas tree and read Luke 2. Then everyone opened one present from their secret Santa. I got Wii Carnival Games. Tiff scored with a copy of The Four Agreements and The Last Lecture. After that we listened to Christmas music, hung out, and made trips to the chocolate fountain again (and again and again). The younger kiddies tracked Santa's progress on the NORAD web site.

The Montenegro family came by with their two dozen kids (alright let's be fair, they only have one dozen kids, and one of them was adopted). They sang Christmas carols to us and hung around for a little while.

Ed and I took on Janelle and Tiff in Wii bowling. It is always a lot of fun when adults play video games.

As things settled down our children tucked into bed and Janelle's family gathered around the Christmas tree and read stories together before falling asleep in front of the tree (which meant Santa REALLY had to tip toe around to drop the gifts off). As they fell asleep I baked an apple pie so it could cool off in time to be enjoyed. Tiff and I stayed up till about 1:00 a.m. taking care of things before I about passed out from exhaustion.

We woke up this morning just before 7:00 a.m. and came down to open our presents. Everyone seemed to have a great time. When the gifts wer all unwrapped Tiffany started baking crepes for everyone. Daryl and I took off at about 9:45 a.m. to give my friend Gary his car back. Gary had loaned it to us while my truck had its fuel pump replaced. Daryl was just sick he had to follow me in the Porsche while I drove Gary's Pathfinder back to his house.

It is coming up on noon right now and everyone is taking turns playing Wii, X-Box, and snacking. I am hoping someone will join me for a run sometime today. It is a little overcast so I may choose to hit the gym instead. All in all it has been a wonderful Christmas 2008.