27 January 2010

Ten Days in December

Before it gets to be February, I thought I'd better finish blogging about December. Kent and I were only home in Virginia for ten days, but we packed A LOT into those ten days!

Kent and I both returned from trips on Sunday, December 6th. I returned from Germany and Kent was returning from spending five days in Texas helping out while our son-in-law, Jason, had knee surgery.

Wednesday, December 9th
After I gave piano lessons I went into DC and met Kent there. (He stayed after work.) We went to the Verizon Center with a family from our ward to see the Trans-Siberian Orchestra concert. It was FANTASTIC! Lots of energy and amazing lights. I couldn't tell you the last time Kent and I went to a concert together. We're thinking that next year we should go to see Mannheim Steamroller if they do a Christmas concert in DC.


Thursday, 10th of December
I had three ladies I visit teach over to lunch. That night I went to our ward's RS book group.
Friday, 11th of December
I hosted a neighborhood cookie exchange. I'd given out 14 invitations to all the neighbors on my street in the middle of November, so I thought I gave everyone plenty of advance notice. I was very disappointed when only three ladies came. Lesson learned: don't invite my neighbors to any more cookie exchanges!! I was hoping to get to know more of my neighbors, but I guess a cookie exchange was too intimidating.

Saturday, the 12th of December
Kent and I went to the town of Fredericksburg to attend their annual historic homes tour. We were lucky that the weather was fairly mild, since we had to stand outside to wait to get into the homes. We had to leave before we saw all the homes since our ward Christmas party started at 5pm, and Kent and I were singing in the ward choir.
This wall had a civil war cannonball embedded in it. It was the home of George Washington's sister.
There were people dressed in period clothing to add ambiance to the home tour.
The town of Fredericksburg was the site of a major Civil War battle, so there were also Civil War reenactors.
Saint Nicholas was there to tour the homes, too.

Sunday, 13th December
I had my annual Christmas recital. Everyone did a lovely job. I played a song arranged by David Lanz.
Tuesday, December 15th
I went with some RS sisters to tour a Victorian mansion outside of Richmond, VA. It's called Maymont, and was beautifully preserved. Unfortunately I wasn't able to take any pictures inside the home.


Thursday, December 17th
Kent and I flew to Utah to attend Garrett's Air Force commissioning at BYU. December was a wonderfully eventful month!

23 January 2010

Happy Birthday Jason !!

We don't have any cute quotes of Jason when he was growing up - since he did not come into our life until a few years ago. But we wanted to do a special spotlight of him anyway.

Looking like a model in GQ magazine. No wonder Lissa was attracted to him.
So they decided to get married

They were sealed in the Dallas TX Temple in February, 2005

Jason took his first trip to Europe early in his marriage when he and Lissa came to visit us in Germany.
Jason conquered any height in his enthusiasm (here he scaled the walls of a 13th century castle)

Kiera Katlyn was born in July 2008

Jason is a loving husband and father, and a wonderful son.
We love you Jason, and are very glad you're part of our family!!

11 January 2010

Garrett's Wedding

Some Photos from Garrett's wedding to Krystal Jolstead in Spokane, Washington on
2 January 2010. We were very blessed that the weather cooperated so that all everyone was able to fly in without any problem. Yes, this picture is out of sequence, but I can't get the picture to move, so it will just have to stay here.!! For the first time Elaine participated in the mother-son dance. Kiera was adorable toddling around during the reception. She especially liked the balloons on the floor. Garrett and Krystal had fun practicing this move before the wedding.
Don't worry Tyler, your time will come .....

At the Reception.
Garrett spent the Christmas season looking for mistletoe so he'd have an excuse to kiss Krystal, so Elaine hung mistletoe from the arch over the happy couple.

Carson family photo.

Jolstead family photo. Krystal is the oldest of 12 children and the first to get married.
A wonderful family!

Off to 'Honeymoon' in sunny San Diego.
The 5 Generation photo with Elaine's mother and grandmother.
It doesn't get any better than having your family gathered together in the temple!!
BTW, there are some more wedding pictures on the Stinson Family blog link on the right.