Claire's Baby Blessing in St George

So, we were barely over the shock of Riley's mission call, when we were glad to drive down to St George for a lovey weekend with all of our family, (except Katelyn) for Claire's baby blessing. Thanks to the Davidson's, we had wonderful accommodations where we all gathered.  The weather was so beautiful and we were able to spend time outside.  Matthew and Jane entertained us all by doing the pillow dance while we waited for our unlucky and stressed out traveler Bradley to arrive. We love watching the kids get to know each other and the girls just adore Graham.  Here are some pictures from St George 

I'm sorry, but this picture of Matt and Jane doing the pillow dance just makes me laugh.

    
We love new babies and their parents too.  Thanks for including us all in such a special event!  We look forward to many more family times.

thanks 

February 2012

On February 1, 2012, and after what seemed like a lifetime, Riley received his mission call.  He had the call sent to our house, so after school and work, the family gathered for a much awaited moment...

Sierra Leone Freetown Mission!!!!  I think these pictures tell it all. We were all really shocked.  Things had to happen really fast; we had to get passports, visas and immunizations all done in a week or two.  Then we could relax until he finished his school semester and get him ready.  He left for the MTC in Ghana on June 14th. 

December 2011

Christmas was a little different this year, as it was only the three pack at home Christmas morning.  Ok, it was just plan weird, but we muddled through and tried to find the positives.  We woke up to a quiet house, heated up the traditional cinnamon rolls and hot chocolate, roused Riley from bed and went off to church.  Kelli, Jake, Allison and Riley arrived and we all waited together for the BIG phone call from our missionary Katelyn.  We gathered around the laptop and visited with Katelyn while the rest of the family not at home were hooked up by various methods so they could join the conversation.  Thank goodness for technology that brought our entire family together, if only for a few minutes. Matthew, Stacy and Graham were able to visit later in the week after they spent Christmas in Idaho.  Here are a few of the highlights from 
Christmas.

We just love this little guy, always a smile on his face and always so happy.  Thank goodness we get to seem him every so often!

Kansas November 2011

I took a nine month hiatus from the blog, but lucky for all you followers, I am going to update this site today. OK, maybe you're not that lucky.  So first, we will hearken back to last November, or was it October that we visited Bradley, Mandy and the girls?  Most importantly, newly born baby Claire.  We loved holding this sweet, soft, beautiful little baby.  We had lovely fall weather and great fun. Here are a few of the highlights. 

In case you are wondering why we stuck the white SUV in here, well, as far as I can remember, we were all quite enthralled with the length of this man's cigar and when we pulled beside him, Dad shot this wonderful picture. We just love our Kansas trips. They are all so good to us when we visit.  We just love being grandparents to these adorable little girls.

Halloween 2011 Monster's Ball

Another Serafine Halloween party is in the books.
And I must say, because of the fun guests, it was
another winner. We had no nudity (like last year),
but did have ghostly costumes, monstrous dancing,
and some especially silly sayings.


One of our activities was to break up into groups
and prepare a dance to the Halloween favorite, Monster Mash.
We were not disappointed. Each group was creative
and daring. Sharlan, Paul, Riley W, And Grandma Bradshaw
doing their rendition of the Monster Mash.


Nikki, Jim, Mary and Jamie

Glenn, Becca, Judy, Steve and Garrett

The Brims, Frank and his wife Mortia

Jim and Kerry

Nicole and Garrett

Grandpa and Grandma-AKA The Black Widow
in mourning because she is married to a monster.

Mike and Sharlan- Shakesperians dressed for the Ball

Everyone kept commenting on how cute the
pictures looked hanging all crooked, if only all
the decorations were that easy.

Serving table-We served spaghetti and meatballs,
salad and bread sticks shaped like broomsticks.


Allison and Riley W. We needed the Ghostbusters
at the party because we had plenty of ghosts!
Adorable as always! Thanks to Allison, we had
yummy white chocolate covered oreo cookie balls
on top of pumpkin cake.

Grandpa, Kerry, Greg, and Tim

The appetizer table. Grandma's candelabra
was the perfect touch!

This award-winning Monster Mash dance was
performed by Paula, Allison, Michael, Karalyn
and Nicole. Paula choreographed a hilarious
story staring Michael and the four jealous girls!

ll
We look awful, don't we? Maybe
because of the make-up and hair.
Or could it be that we are just
plain exhausted! Anyway, we are
glad everyone came and had a
good time. I don't know what is
wrong with me, but during
church today, I leaned over to dad
and started suggesting themes for
next year's party. Oh no...