Christmas Eve at the Mendenhall's

I was in charge of games yet again at the annual Christmas Eve gala at Mom's. This year we changed the meeting place to mom's as she has more floor space for games. We played a rousing game of Christmas Minute to Win It! Everyone always enjoys this especially the teenagers. The favorite is the glow in the dark ring toss. I didn't get many pictures this year as I was running the games and the camera lady, which I failed miserably at, sorry!

Mom and Dad killing it at Minute to Win it!

The stack the nut game is intense. Gena was the champion this year with stacking 12 nuts. Rowland is her latests beau. He seems like a really nice guy.

Gena and Rowland

Then there is the snowball catapult. Always a good one for warming things up. Everyone was a good sport.

Kenzie aand Len go head to head


The teams got in the spirit of the night with candy cane toss. It was a fun evening of pizza and games. Thanks mom for letting us invade your home. We sure had a good time. I have to say though, I am retiring as party chairman. I have done it for the office party and the family party for the past 5 years so I am hanging up my creativity and passing the torch to somene else. Happy Holidays everyone and to those of us who really don't like Christmas - Bah Humbug!

Barry and dad team up

Annual Hurricane Dental Christmas Party 2011

Candy bar bingo was the hit of the office party this year. We had way too many candy bars and enough people to make it fun! Mandy and Mason killed it on the memory part though, the rest of the players were being just a little too nice for me! Ha you need to strike while the iron is hot 'ya'll. It was really a fun time this year - in spite of Dr. Wells (Mason) not feeling well at all.



Candy Bar Bingo - Champion Mason Wells

 
Mandy put together an awesome dinnner for us Cafe Rio style. The food was so yummy. Mason lent a huge helping hand and it turned out so great. Next year dutch treat to a restuarant so nobody has to cook or clean! We really had a good time together. We have a great team at Hurricance Dental. Jilyn Nelson is our front office manager, along with all the extra duties we give her like - can you call and get us lunch, can you call and get us heat, can you call and get the computer guy over here, can you call the tax guy, can you set up a hair appointment for me...and the list goes on. Thanks Jilyn. Cathie is our part time front office helper. She comes in on Wednesday and without fail that usually the day the schedule falls apart - what are the odds on that one?! Bobbie is our super hygienist - she is so great with our patients. She is so flexible with the times we have to rearrange the schedule and have her come late, or stick in a few extra ones or need someone numbed for us, she does it with a smile and sometimes without lunch. Justin was not able to attend but his wife Kisten made the most yummy dessert ever - I so want her recipe. Thanks Kisten, Justin has been helping assist in the back with me for the past year - he is hoping to get on with the fire department in January. We will so miss him!


Mandy showing us how it's done!



Candy Bar Bingo was played this year in leiu of Minute to Win It...we had a great time, I got to be the caller which suited me just fine. I get things scrambled in my head (where Ned keeps them safe) and it is hard for me to concentrate on where the candy bars went, better the caller than a food I say! Thanks Mandy and Mason for the great time, the super food, and for opening your home to the likes of all of us. We misse you mamma Jillyn, thanks for taking care of the little ones!


Get ready for Candy Bar Bingo



Our fun day in Springdale

Len took a half day off and we stole away to the cute little town of Springdale, Ut. It is right outside Zion National Park. We love that place and the serenity it gives.

Along side the Virgin River

A picture perfect day for December and a get away. We started out with a lunch at our favortie little sandwich shop. We were practically the only ones in Springdale that day and lucky for us.

Me

I love spending time with my best friend. We enjoy so many fun times. It doesn't have to cost alot, it doesn't have to be something fantastic, it just has to be us!

My best friend!

You may not know this about me, but  love trees. They hold a fascination for me - I think they are so interesting and unique. I didn't get a picture of one, but there was one that had fallen and was caught in the crook of the neighboring tree. The neighboring tree has held this fallen tree up for quite sometime. I marveled at it's tenacity and strength to bear up the other tree. It stands there without complaint, it maintains it strength and never waivers under the weight of the other tree. We could all learn a lesson from that tree, we should always bear one anothers burdens' for as long as they need without complaint or waiver.

Me and a tree!

Two cute kids, clowning and having fun.

Oh let me never grow up!

A new queen of the house!

I got my christmas present early this year. All I really wanted was to find a kitty to love. I have done my research, looked at a ton of cats online, and found this little cutie at the St. George Animal Shelter. She chose me for sure. She reached her little paw right out of the cage as if reaching for me and saying, "Take me home!" I couldn't resist. Thanks mom for being there to help me decide it was lot's of fun.

Dixie



Dixie is fitting right in, has staked out her place on the couch while Len is gone. I think that is his spot if I am not mistaking, we wil see how this plays out! Ha, Ha!

Thanksgiving 2011 Family is Everything

Thanksgiving this year was at Misty's house in Missiouri. Her and Brandon were so gracious to play host to this band of brothers this year. That is not an easy task by any means. The amount of food and fun that is consumed at each gathering is unbelievable. Yet they opened their home and welcomed all of us for a few days of fun, laughing, and good times. Thanks you guys!

Len was recently called to be the bishop of our ward here in Hurricane. That calling comes with huge time committments, worrying, frustration, and stress. It was so good for him to get away for a little while and just chillax with his family. This picture is worth a thousand words to say "Yep, he's relaxing". He got a bad head cold though and suffered with laryngitis for most of the time, but still was able to get some much needed R & R.

My man

The only crimes these two committ is that we don't get to spend enough one on one with each other. I love my Misty, she is such an inpsiration to me. She is so talented, such a wonderful teacher (Len got to go to school with her for half a day and see how amazing she is, he was blown away with her ablitlities with the students). Misty is a great mom, wife, daughter, friend, and christian. Thanks my sweet angel girl for such a wonderful Thanksgiving. You rock!

Partners in crime

Our darling and only grand-daughter turned 17 this past October. I don't know where the time has gone. It started right here at Ft. Leonard Wood 17 years ago, we were all gathered here together along with my sister Ann to see Kyla come into the world. That seems like just yesterday and now she is 17. Thanks for so many great years of getting to love you Kyla, you are the best granddaughter we have. You also rock!

We all changed the street name from Layla Road to Kyla Road.

To my wonderful Pete & Jenny of whom for some reason I didn't get any good pictures this trip, we love you! You have some amazing children, so smart and wise for their ages. You make us smile, sigh, and aww whenever you are around. You bring an element of wonder and amazement with you witiness, your expertise in the finer things, and your candor. Thanks for sharing the road with us and inviting us into your home. We had so much fun getting to know the little boys better and being able to spend some time with them. They are cute litte buigs for sure. To my entire family...thanks for the memories, the fun, the tears, the talks, and the time and money you took to make this all happen. May we look forward to many more great memories in the future. Summer isn't that far away...let the plans begin!

T-Day 2011 Missouri

Jordan really looks up to his brother Jack. Jack isn't always the best brother (I am sure it's the age) but when he puts his mind to it, they are really cute together. Here they are taking a walk together at Aunt Misty's house. Jack is explaining the finer points of riding in a Red Flyer wagon!

Jordan & Jackson

Cory and Kristen

Cory and Kristen flew in for the holiday. Poor Kristen was sick with the flu for most of the trip. Here they are posing for me, they are really photogenic. Kristen is an aspiring actress with any walk on parts to her credit. Cory is a great artisit and has his won website, line of products with his artwork, and does a little free lance on the side. They are sure a cute couple, (are there wedding bells in the future? They won't comment on that one).

Brandon, Charlie, and Misty

Dustin is such a great son. Like all of my boys he is such a talented young man. Dustin has built a highly successful business over the past 13 years. He is the owner of his own tattoo shop in Carbondale Illinois called Tuff Luck Tattoo. This past week Dustin took 1st place in the St. Louis Tattoo Convention for one of his Japenese Body Suit tats. He is highly sought after for full body tats along with sleeves, backs, arms and legs. He is really a success in his field. He has been remodeling his shop the past few months and I am  excited to see the end result. He has done tile, cabinets, paint, electrical, and heat/cooling system. Most of the work he has done himself, very talented indeed. Dustin is doing well after his terrible accident last year where he crushed his ankle. Is there love on the horizon? I think so...he is keeping low key about it so as to not jinx it in anyway...so more to follow I am sure.

My boy Dustin

Just had to include this one in the blog. These two have been so close over the years. Even when they were kids at home, they were close. Misty playing school, theater, or whatever Dusty was her greatest support in all of her 'projects'. They were there for each other during some really hard times like when Brandon was in Iraq, and Dusty was layed up with his broken leg. They live about 4 hours apart so that makes it easier for them to stay connected.

Misty & Dusty

The nut doesn't fall too far from the dad tree. These two men not only look alike, but think alike. They are both very ordered in their lives, very organized, and very detailed. These are good traits to pass on. They are both also very quirky...well all of us Mendenhall's are very quirky. Our quirkiness is what makes us unique and lovable, and also very annoying! Well we are who we are...so deal with it!LOL

Two peas in a pod.

More Family Fun T-Day 2011

Thanksgiving or any get togethers with this bunch means games, more games, and fun! When we all get together the noise level is usually pretty high. Everyone talking and reminiscing all at the same time. I just sit back and savor the noise.

The Kids

Misty, Dusty, Cory, and Pete

No get together would be complete without my requesting that "everyone come outside an let's get a group picture". I just love seeing the kids all together. Misty's home is the perfect backdrop for this Kodak moment.

There are no 4 children quite the same as these 4. They all are so unique and different, yet so much alike. They are all at different stages in their lives...Misty is a 4th grade school teacher at Freedom Elementary in St. Robert, Missouri. Her kids are 14 and 17 Kyla and Casey. Dustin has owned his Tattoo shop now for over 10 years and is very successful. Cory is in the Coast Guard presently stationed in Long Beach California. Pete just turned 28 and is the father of two active little boys Jack (3) and Jordi (1) stationed with the Air Force in Bellevue Nebraska. Even though they are light years apart in intersts and life, they get together and it is like time stood still, they are siblings with love and togetherness, what more could parents ask for?

Never a dull moment with this bunch!

Pete and Jenny added to the chaos of all of us descending on Misty's home by brining their cute new little puppy Riley for the visit. She was only 9 weeks old and a cute little stinker. Jack was learning to take the puppy for a walk, but I really think the puppy was the boss. The were really cute together.

Jack and Jill (I mean Riley)

Brandon seems to hold the title of Corn Hole King, ha! What a name for such a fun game. It comes from the Mid-west and is a really fun lawn game that our family has grown to love. Misty has a set and so do we, so whenever we get together "let the games begin".

Anyone up for "Corn Hole"?

We waited for the perfect day to pull out the Corn Hole game, and we were rewarded with the perfect sunny afternoon - after the big dinner. It was chilly for some of us but the competition was worth it. Go Misty!

I will take away the title!

Off to visit family for Thanksgiving 2011

It has been a whole year since we have been together as a family! The time has gone by so fast. We leave this morning for a long road trip to Missouri to be together for Thanksgiving 2011. We are taking the northern route through Denver and up into Nebraska to see Pete's family. We will stay with them for a day then all of us will travel on to Missouri to Misty and Brandon's house. Cory and Kristen are flying in from California and Dusty will pick them up in St. Louis and drive on down to Misty's. We are so excited we can hardly stand ourselves. Jordan was only a few months old last we saw him and now he is walking, so it will be great! Misty and Brandon are such great hosts, we are thankful they have a wonderful home to house all of us Mendenhall's. I think they better get earplugs it gets pretty loud when we are all together. Let the fun begin!

A huge sigh of relief!

A huge sigh of relief was breathed Sunday afternoon. The annual LDS Primary Sacrament Program was over! All year long we prepare with the children for this day! The children were wonderful. They all spoke their parts well, the spirit was felt, and the music was so great! I get to work with these wonderful little spirits each week during music time and I love it. This years theme was I know the scriptures are true. I am the only one in the church who gets to have fun each Sunday and do crazy things. I get to pick on the teachers and make them wear funny hats, fill their mouths with marshmallows and then sing a song, and I get away with it because I am the music lady. This coming year the theme will be Choose the Right. I am always on the look out for a great idea so send them my way! Next week we are going to make the room dark, and I will teach the children to lead music to some of their all time favorite songs, the batons will be glow sticks. Now that should create quite a stir. Hey it's the day before Halloween!!! I have a room set aside in my house just for Primary music ideas, I have all kinds of things I have collected but I am ever on the prowl for something new and exciting. Thanks for stopping by!

LDS Primary Choirster?!

Making quilts with Grandma

My mom is the quilt making queen. This last year she made 12 baby quilts and donated them to the Dove Center. She set a goal and reached it. The little quilts were so darling. Mom has made all of her children queen size, hand sewn quilts with images of temples or flowers on them. They truly are works of art. I wanted to make some small car seat quilts for my two youngest grandsons. So I went to the expert and together we got the project done in record time, with time left over to play. I will take them to give to Jack and Joran on our trip to Missouri in November. We will stop off in Nebraska to see the little boys and then all of us travel on to Misty's house.

I have made a few quilts in my time to, but nothing hand quilted. I just tie them. Have made one for each of my kids too, but they are just to throw around and keep warm with. I enjoy making them and want to get some made for Kyla and Casey too. I better get busy!

Len and I took some time out of our busy (and I mean busy!) schedules to take in one of our favorite passtimes, theater! We got tickets to see the Dixie College Theater production of "The Foriegner". It was so funny my face hurt from laughing. We really enjoyed the performance. We love to go to plays of all kinds and take advantage of all Southern Utah has to offer in the way of dramatic producions.

Saturday was PERFECT! The temps are in the 80's and so nice. This is truly why we put up with the too hot summers, and the too cold winters...Fall! It never ceases to please us in the way of beautiful days and perfect temps. We took advantage of the weather to ride on the River trail in St. George. We took a 5 mile one way ride along the Virgin River walk from east St. George to Bloomington where we crossed the river and had a picnic before heading back. It was so nice and boy do I have the sore muscles to prove I did it! What a whimp.

The river has crossings in several places along the bike route. This trail is paved and runs from Washington on the east to Ivins on the west covering several miles. Our goal is to ride it all someday.

Len is tracking our progress and planning out the next trip to the river walk. He is the planning man for sure. Great day, and great riding partner!

Where would we be without family

Thanksgiving last year was special for our family. We all got together after many years apart to take pictures for mom and dad. We didn't all spend dinner together but we did find time to pull of a photo shoot. Ann found us some cool farm implements for backdrop. Enjoy the pics. They in and of themselves speak volumes

We all got a chance to have our pictures taken with our spouses if they were there. Hey how come we didn't get one of the two of us Len?

Ann & Bruce take a minute for their picture.

Barry, Mom, Genalee, Dad, Tim, Me, Ann, Dan (Becky was MIA)

A tractor and a family, what a great idea for a picture. What a perfect day it was, end of November and it is warm and sunny. Only in southern Utah.

There she goes again, thinking she can tell us what to do!

A family "Outstanding in their field!"

Never was voted class clown, I take my bows!

Class of 1971 Reunion

Martha Porter, Verla Brinkerhoff, Clyde Postma, Joan Hall, Boyd Hall, Bevin Johnson, Ed Campbell, Len, Karl Wilson

Class of 1971 class reunion was hosted by my man and held in the old white church in Rockville. There were only about 1/3 of the class there with spouses but a great time catching up and seeing who has the most hair. This class must have done something right because most of them still had there hair (with the exception of Len and Clyde) that's pretty good. Only one on a walker and nobody on oxygen...yet!

We tried to get a good picture but these clowns are pretty unruly to say the least! A fun time for all catered by a friend and all around great guy, Sanford Saline. Dutch Oven cooking is the best and we ate it all!

Terilyn Jepson, Joan Hall, Peggy Watkins, Martha Porter, Verla Brinkerhoff, Clyde Postma, Lolly Howard, Boyd Hall, Shanna Campbell, Gay Lebaron, Ed Campbell, Mindy Brown, Karl Wilson, Susan Sandberg, Ron Hines, Susan Slack, Terry Sullivan, Geri Wright, Roger Stewart, Marlin Olds. Front row, Len, Bevin Johnson, David Wright. Not pictured were Greg Scott, Eldon Pierce who both had to leave.