The reunion sounds like it will be lots of fun! I hope we can make it! We are so broke from the move, and keep getting unexpectedly high bills for changing over our phones etc. Anyhoo, we are loving summer here! Having a pool in your backyard certainly helps. :P The boys both have lifevests, and they swim around like fish. I have made some good friends in the ward already, and it really feels like home. The whole month of july here they have "ARTOWN" where they have free concerts and such by the river. We are going to one tonight with a friend, hope the kids like it. Chris is out of town, has been quite a bit lately. He has his masters project in the Mojave desert, so he has to fly to Vegas every week. I miss him, but have kept busy in his absence. It will slow down when school starts too.
I guess that is it!

Congratulations to Polly and Andy! Julie I hope you are all moved in and doing OK. I went to visit Lestie this weekend. Things are pretty crazy at her house. Her baby is really cute and hes so mellow. I am sorry I haven't got on the blogger for awhile. Ben I investigated camping on the Wednesday Thursday of that week and found out it will be really hard to get anything because everyones leaving twon to go camping. However, we do have a great fireworks show and demolition derby that we attended last year and the kids really enjoyed it. It is samll town entertainment but it was fun. The fireworks are right by our house and we like to set up a table and play cards and let the kids play night games before hand. Anyone who wants to come is invited. Life is busy with teenageers and tweenagers to keep up with. No one wants to go to bed in the summer and getting anything productive done is a miracle but we are having lots of fun and I love having the summer off! Julie I miss having you close but I am sure glad you can go see Polly. I think it is so cool all of you younger girls have each other to keep in touch with as you all have babies and are going through the same kinds of things. I love you all.
Love, Lisa

Talk to Angela Ben she got a better rate for some reason the last time. Maybe she could help us all get a better rate this time. I want a king bed in my room!
Polly

Tyler has said we should get a block of rooms in Draper so that we can do stuff at his house, just not sleep there. So, I'm going to try and reserve the same old hotel we always stay in there next to the outlet thingy.

This particular weekend is a good one for Utah because most people from Utah are leaving Utah for the holiday.

Right now it is going to be July 25th - July 27th. We have the Uinta Terrace reserved for 50 people in the Northeast (quiet) section of the park with trees and grass. We got discounted tickets you can purchase from me for 19.50 each, children three and under get in free and can ride the ferris wheel, the merry go round and the train for free. The other rides will cost 16.00 if you want an all day pass.

I will try to get a block of rooms at a nearby hotel (Centerville) and a few suites. The plan is to check in Friday night and chit chat, and then Saturday party at Lagoon until you drop. One more night at the hotel and free for all on Sunday. Food will be planned, so don't worry about it. If we contact you to bring something, please do. Plan on bringing a cooler, though, so you can help carry all the food into the park. Should be a party.

Ben, our e-mail is cdholmes4@hotmail.com

We are sorry that you went through so much trouble with the reunion Ben, we thought it sounded like a ton of fun. We could possibly get to Utah in August if we want to have a get-together then. You could all come to Reno and gamble and go to Lake Tahoe! There are lots of great trails to kill yourself on a bike too! he he

I will see you tomorrow Polly, you know I must love you if I am driving 4 hours with 3 screaming kids!

Chris and Julie - what is your e-mail address? Send me it to my e-mail address, which I'm sure you have.

REUNION NOTICE:

REUNION NOTICE:

There is no reunion.
That is all.

Mostly kidding. Here's the deal: We went to a bit of trouble setting up the reunion at the Snow Mountain ranch, and that fell through because of lack of interest, lack of money, and lack of some people being able to attend. So, you can't say we didn't try.

There are "gatherings" going on, one in July in Salmon which we have yet to decide if we're going. There will be others, no doubt. Anyway, Julie is freaking out wanting me to let everyone know what the plan is and all that. This family is just too big to have an annual reunion placable to everyone involved. And, I've learned, I'm not the one to be in charge of these things. That being said:

I think it would be great, for those who can, to get together sometime this summer, and if there is some event more than one family is going to, we should piggy-back on that. Here are some of the ideas I've heard so far:

Cedar City (Zions National Park) in August.
Salmon over the 4th of July.
Lagoon in Utah for a day (maybe the same time frame as 4th of July in Salmon, maybe do both).

Any other suggestions? Please let me know. More importantly, please let me know any time you CANNOT attend (scout camp, business trip, liposuction...), or if you have any desire whatsoever to get together. A lack of a response will be an indication of you don't care, in which case I will drop this subject like a Frenchman dropping his rifle.

Hello All,
We have been in Reno for about two weeks now and are pretty much all settled. We like the town so far, It has taken a little getting used to. Reno is a little bit bigger than Pocatello! Our new phone numbers are:
Home: 775-747-0556
Juliettes cell: 775-224-5416
Chris cell: 775-224-4976
Juliette has been called as the CTR 8-year-old teacher, but I have not recieved a calling yet. We are hoping to be able to go to the reunion in July but we will have to see how the work schedule and the finances work out. that's about it. Take care, Chris

Sweet you guys. Hope everything works for you in Reno. I will make note of the addresses and numbers.

Nothing new on the reunion or the Salmon river trip. I haven't heard. I will let you all know when I find anything out.

I finally graduated, graduation is tomorrow, but I wont be attending. Just send me the diploma, that's all I want. Julie and the kids are doing fine, the boys and I are going camping tonight for the fathers and sons thing. Should be interesting.

So what is up with the Salmon reunion? I haven't heard anything about it till now... Ben????

Here is our new address:
1295 Grand Summit Dr.
Apt. #D228
Reno, Nevada 89523
Juliette cell 208-520-6825
chris cell 208-520-6819
These numbers are only temporary, we will post the new ones when we get to Reno. We will be there on May 22.

We are so excited to see you guys at the end of the month! Let us know how everything goes and make sure to give me your new address and phone numbers.
We hope everyone is doing well.
Ben I heard about the possible reunion in Salmon Let me know how that is evolving. I think Salmon is a great idea I really need to get to Salmon and see Grandma as you all do probubly.
Andy is probubly going to move over to Engineering sometime this month he will be their new dispatch engineer.We will probubly take a pay cut but it should wiegh out in the long run.
We are all doing well.
Polly and family

Hello??? Anybody come here anymore?

Well, Chris recieved the "official" offer yesterday!!! We are going to Reno for sure now. I am excited! I had a garage sale today, after "dejunking" and made $250! Not too bad eh? That will help with u-haul costs for sure. Anyway, Chris got into U of Idaho too, but turned them down because Reno has a better offer.

Sounds great we are excited to have family move closer!

It looks like we are heading to Reno for graduate school. It is not official yet, but Dr. Nowak made me an offer over the phone and I accepted. It still has to be approved by the department head and the graduate school. We are pretty excited about this. Kansas State was our first choice but I was placed on an alternate list there and the prospects of me getting in did not look good. UNR was our second choice with U of I being the third choice. I will be awarded a research assistantship (full tuition waiver and $15,000 stipend) in Dr. Bob Nowaks lab. Bob is a nationally recognized plant ecologist and a "big hitter" according to my advisor here at ISU. I will be working at the Mojave Global Change Facility near Las Vegas studying the effects of predicted global change models on desert plants (ie. increased precipitation, increased nitrogen deposition, and increased CO2). I am excited to work in a lab that actually has some money and nice equipment. We will be moving towards the end of May. That is about all for now I guess. Take care, Chris.

Thanks for the tip Polly, I have been wondering where that site is!

Well, Reno was awesome- we really like most of the town. If we can manage to keep our gambling urges in check- it will be nice. :) Just kidding, the strip is kind of trashy with all sorts of strip joints and such, but that is very avoidable- in the center of the town. We would never have to go there if we didn't want to. Otherwise, the interveiw went well. Chris is pretty impressed with Dr. Nowak, and hopefully he was just as impressed with Chris! We should hear by the end of this week. They would want him there as soon as he graduates, so we have alot to do in one month!!

Hey eveyone Joey let me know an easier way to write him. It is called Dear Elder.com They will print off and deliver your letter for the cost of a stamp. It is cool. They also have packages they can mail him freshly baked cookies. Everyone needs to support him and write their missionary.
We are doing OK Brock has herpies. He has cankers all over his mouth and hasn't ben sleeping or eating. It has been a long week.
Congrats to Ben! She is beautiful. I love her name! what fun!
Well I better go!
Polly

Polly, so I deleted your e-mail address before I added it to my book...um could you send it again??? Thanks! So did you figure out if you are going to be able to meet me in Reno or not? Call me, or e-mail in the next couple of days so we can solidify some plans if you can.

Congrats on the boy Angela! Did you get my e-mail??

Where is everyone? Do you ever check this anymore???

Hey Ben, you will be glad to hear Chris just applied to Colorado State! Just covering our bases per say...it would be fun to live near you though.

Ben, CONGRATULATIONS!!! She is a cutie! So glad all is well.

pictures of Cassidy are up HERE

Hi all. I'm getting ready to post some pictures of our latest addition, Cassidy. Julie and Cassidy came home from the hospital Tuesday, she was born Monday morning at 4:30. I'm still recovering from it all...Julie's fine. I got to take the week off and work sent a big beautiful bouquet of flowers, far nicer than what I had gotten Julie.

I'm trying to start my final project for graduation. I'm procrastinating it big time. When I finish the project I'm done forever, so you might think I'd be more motivated to get it out of the way, but you'd be wrong.

Juliette and Chris, if you move to Kansas we will come out and see you. We also need to get over to see Julie's sister and husband out in Missouri. That would be quite a trip, but it would be fun. Of course if you move to Nevada, well, that would be great for Polly.

Hope everyone is happy and healthy and all that.

Polly,
Hey, I got your message about not coming up here- shame on you! :) Just kidding, I understand. It is hard to have so many people that you know in one area, pretty impossible to visit them all. I do have some good news though, Chris and I are coming to Reno! I decided that if I was going to live there, I wanted to see it first. We are coming in on Sunday April 13, and will be there until Tuesday. We fly out at like 1:30 Tuesday afternoon though, so not much time that day. We will be staying in the University Inn, and are renting a car. I guess Chris has a bunch of stuff to do on campus Monday so maybe you could come and show me the town? I am just bringing Bryce along, so we could have some fun! Let me know if you want to come, it would be fun to see you!
Love, Juliette


Polly I tried to e-mail you this and it was rejected. Can you e-mail me your new address? I tried the andnpolly@desert-express.com?

We are still torn as to go North or South after Andy's house. I think that we will probubly end up going to Mom's because she has my portacrib. I accidently left it in our hotel room and she went and got it for me. So I really need that. We will see though. It all depends on Andy. I will call you though and let you know.

Hi Polly, I wish I could go to Reno too, but alas the extreme lack of money stands in the way. Oh well! It would be nice to see you. I would love to have you come here and see us! Just let me know and I can arrange a dinner or something. The dentist sounds awful! Sounds like Abbey inherited my teeth, they are bad! Fortunately my boys haven't had any cavities yet, and they love the dentist, they are due for their cleanings pretty soon. Well, I guess that's it, let me know when you are coming!
Juliette

Juliette and Chris taht is really exciting. We hope you get to go where you want to. Let us know the exact dates you are going to Reno maybe we could meet you there. Let us know.
I just got back from Reno on Friday. I took Abby to the dentist. It looks like I am going to pay to put her under to get her two cavities drilled. She had two last year and she screamed the whole time. So this time they are going to sedate her. I can not believe it.
Well nothing else is really going on here. We are going to Andy's parents house this weekend. We will probubly stop by Lisa's and I am going to call Angela and tell her maybe we will meet at your house Juliette?
Polly

The trip to Kansas was very nice. K-State has a whole bunch of money and very unique research opotunities. The eastern part of Kansas where the campus is located is not the stereotypical Kansas. There were lots of rolling hills and lots of trees. I am still wating for an official offer from the school, which should be coming in the next week. I was also contacted recently by the University of Nevada Reno and I will be heading there for a visit in about two weeks. This is another well respected school in my field, but I don't think they have quite as many resources as K-State. We are trying to keep an open mind about all of our options. We should know by the middle of April where we are going.
Chris

Julie, I am excited for you and Chris. What a neat adventure! I finished my Thesis presentation and my big certification exam and I am plugging along. I am telling everyone via email that I am planning a big graduation party on May 2-3. I am not going to go through the big grad ceremony, just the hooding ceremony for my Masters but I am glad to be almost there! I have a job and life is not so bad. Dan is in Detroit this week and I am moving bedrooms around, working and feeling glad that spring weather is here even though we need snow so badly. Ben, as far as the reunion is concerned I could help you if you want me to. Let me know. It was really good to see most everyone and Joeys address at the MTC is: Elder Joseph Ammon Whitehead, MTC Mailbox #40, FRA-TOU 0429, 2005 N. 900 E., Provo, UT 84604-1739. I challenge you all to write at least once! He is estimated to leave April 29. Lets see if we can make his day and let him know he does have some brothers and sisters who are thinking about him!

Ben, we will have a better idea of whether or not we are going to Kansas after this upcoming week. Chris is flying out there March 13th through the 16th for an informal interview/tour the campus/meet everyone. His prospective professor is paying for everything so we took that as a good sign that he will be accepted. When Chris made the travel arrangements with the K-State travel agent, she told him that there was only one other student that Dr. Knapp was doing this for. If we do go to Kansas, we will be moving probably the last week in May. That is all for now, we will update everyone when we know for sure.

Hello. It was fun to visit at Tyler's place for awhile. Glad we could see most everyone. So, Julie, are you moving to Kansas for sure, or what? You're sure welcome to stay here for a few nights on your way. Still no solid plan for reunion. I've been busy with work, work, work, and school. I have no life. It's finally decided to snow here, and we've been blanketed for two days. It's pretty cool.

Is someone that knows Joe's new address going to post it on this for everyone? Sorry that we took off with out saying goodbye to those that we did not see. Andy had to get back to work. We loved seeing everyone. We have a new e-mail address we will send it to everyone!

Well that is great Juliette but I really wanted you to move to Reno so I would have family closer.
Well we have decided to go to Utah for Joey's thing but we have to go early we are going to get there Thurs. and we have to leave Sat. Andy has to get back by Sat night for work on Sun. We would love to see you all. We got a hotel at the Fairfield the same one that used to be the Travelodge. For Friday night. Thanks to Angela we got the room for $64 they quoted me $74 until I asked about other family. So they gave me the same rate. Thanks Ang.

Well, it looks like we might be going to Kansas!!! Chris got an e-mail yesterday from the professor he is looking to sponsor him, and he wants to fly him out for a visit! We take that as a good sign that he will be accepted. This is also the school that has the best offer (full tuition waiver and $18,000 stipend). Also, we found out this morning, talking to the institute secretary at KSU that this professor, Alan Knapp is LDS. Out of 2 wards in the whole area, Dr. Knapp is in her ward! :) That is a very good sign that he will be more understanding of family and church responsibilities, in addition to graduate school work. We haven't recieved an "official" acceptance letter yet, but hope to know for sure very soon.

Ben, I am sorry I have neglected the Blooger as well. I am trying to get graduated soon and work. I asked for it, as usual life on the edge is great! I vote for June. Anywhere from the 7th on. Scout camp isn't until the latter part of July (over the 24th) and Trek is the 12,13 and 14 of June. Other than that we are open. It would be great to do it over a long weekend versus during the week days due to Dan's time off work. We will do whatever. Some ideas...your house sounds great! Vegas isn't the best for little kids but we could meet soewhere. Someone needs to plot the coordinates of everyone and pick a spot right in the middle and then go to the nearest spot of civilization and have party, invite everyone and have a contest ot see who can show up first. Call me Ben, I have some ideas and connections. We can talk. As far as the rest of you please feel free to pitch in ideas.

Ben, I am disappointed!!! Oh well, it wouldn't be as fun with not everyone attending anyway. We could use the money we sent you too! :) We don't have any big plans yet, but I think we will probably be moving in the beginning of June. We don't know where we are going yet, but it most likely will be Manhattan Kansas, or Reno Nevada. If we move to Kansas, we are hoping to stay at your house for a night, because it is half way. But of course, it is still all speculation for now. We are up for camping, biking, Vegas (if we live near there!) or whatever!

Vegas would be great for us but just because we live so close or closer than all of you! But it could get pretty expensive. We think June is a great month. We would like the reunion to be a little closer than Colorado. Like somewhere in Utah or Idaho. We have no specific dates but Andy's five day is the weekend of the 6/21-6/25 so that would be a great weekend. We would really like to get to the outdoors and enjoy nature. We are up for most anything camping, lodging etc. We do not own bikes Ben so no Biking for us!

Sorry, I've neglected this thing. I regret to inform everyone that the snow mountain ranch reservations have been cancelled due to half the family not being able to attend. For those of you who sent me money, it will be returned to you as soon as I can sell the new car I bought with it. There will still be a reunion, but it will probably be less organized, and earlier than August. It sounds like June would be a better month for most of us. We will let you know, but it will be such that you will not be required to attend, i.e. no money due up front.


Vegas has been mentioned, as has another river trip. There are lots of possibilities, including everyone who wants to can come to my house and we'll have a computer game deathmatch, or, if you prefer, a cycling clinic: last one to the top of Mount Evans loses. I need to call each of you and get some more ideas. We will let you know. First off, though, please send me your calendar for the summer. If you have plans (school, scout camp, due date, or elective surgery) let me know. I want to find a time when everyone can make it.


Jule is still pregnant. It's been a little harder on her than her previous ones, though she will never admit it, even to me. She's due in April.

Yes Julie I got your e-mail and e-mailed Jackie. She wrote me back it is good to hear it from the horses mouth.
You need to go to the University of Nevada Reno. I need to have some family closer!!! We are doing well. I do not think that we are going to make it over to Joeys thing. We got our selves a minivan and we will have to pay for registering it and stuff. We will be planning a trip in April or May to Utah though. Well that is all for now!

Where is everyone??? Polly, did you get my e-mail? How are all the preggies doing? Hope you are doing well...of course that could mean you are puking your guts out- that is a GOOD sign all is going well. :0) Not much new here, Chris is busy with his classes and applying for graduate school. He has it narrowed down to 3 schools, Uof I, University of Nevada Reno, and Kansas State. Kansas is his top choice, because of the faculty there, and the $ offered. Uof I is mine, for obvious reasons, but they don't have as much $ available, and the professor has kind of a bad reputation. We will know in the next couple of months for sure. I just want to know where, so I can get used to the idea! We have been here in Pocatello our whole marriage, and it will be hard to move, but exciting too.
I am busy with some classes (7 credits) and 3 rambunctious boys. Bryce is starting to laugh and has been cooing for a while, it is so fun! He is also about 15 lbs at 2 1/2 months, that is about the 95% for height and weight. I am going to have some BIG boys. :)
Gotta go, baby is crying...

Ben, When is the Colorado Trip supposed to be? Send me a date. We will be there if we can but that last two weeks of August will be interesting. If we can't come do I still have to pay?Let me know.

Jarom and Jen that is awsome!! I am so excited for all of you guys.

I talked with Ben AFTER I sent the river trip blog. I had completely forgotton (or hadn't heard - that happens to me a lot) about the Colorado trip. Obviously, most people don't have time or $ for both. Angie - I am especially sympathetic to you becuase my wife is due August 21st as well. Anyhoo, I guess the way we'll do this is to leave it up to the individual families that want to float the river with Dave to give him a call. His number is (208) 785-2500 at home. Other than that, 200 clams for a jaunt in the Colorado Rockies is a bargain. I, like Angie, just hope I can go. Ben- Regardless, you'll get your deposit in mid-february. Tootleoo.

I sent it to you Julie but I had to send it to every one else too!
Sorry every body!! Well we are doing better. Brock has been sick for about a week but he is starting to get better.
I want to hear about Jacob's girlfriend anybody know anything??

Polly, I don't think I have your e-mail...my address book keeps messing up. Could you e-mail me yours, and anyone elses you know in the family? Thanks so much! It was fun talking to you yesterday, I am going to check out the u. in Reno right now!

Yes Juliette I would love to have Jakie's e-mail e-mail it to me please!!

Hi all, Bryce is home now and doing much better. He spent 5 days on the pediatric floor- I think he just liked it so much last time that he wanted to go back. Just kidding! He has really chubbed up though- he is 14 lbs now! (Better him than me!) Gosh Jarom, if I wasn't breast feeding an infant I would go on that river trip in a minute!!! It really sounds like a ton of fun. Maybe we should start planning for one next summer? Ben, did you get our check? We sent 250, thinking that was the cost- so maybe you could put the 50 toward food or something. Did you decide how we are going to do the meals? I can't remember the exact dates either, can you refresh my memory?

Polly, I got a call from Jackie (Taylor) today! I sent her parents a Christmas card with my phone # and asked them to give it to her. She is in Finland- crazy huh? She is also due next month with #2, a girl. I think we must have talked for about 2 hours, it was so nice. She gave me her e-mail if you want it, let me know!

Jarom the river sound interesting I think Drew might be interested I know he talked to Dan Bird about going if we got in this year. However you can count me out since I don't think they let big fat pregnant women go.

Ben just let me know how much and when to send it and I will send you a check. However since this little family reunion falls around my due date do I get a refund if I cant go or do I just send someone in my place? Take Care.

Jarom The river sounds great but we do not think that we can afford to do both. We are already wondering if we can afford the trip to Colorado. Maybe next year.

So long as we all keep in mind that the trip would be in addition to the trip you're all going to take to Colorado for the family reunion we're planning. Speaking of which, we're fast approaching the deposit time where we need some money from each of you. It's looking like about $200 per family for the cabin, but it depends on how many kids you have, etc. I think the $200 is total price, but we have to have like half of that here by mid-February, I think. We'll be calling everyone in the next few weeks. Whatever the cost is, I guarantee that it is a pittance compared to the amount of activities and fun that are going to be available included in the price. It will be awesome. Just come to relax and read a book, or you can do all the hiking, biking, canoeing, horse-riding, basketball, rock-climbing, roller-skating, mini-golfing, swimming, and of course eating that you want to do.

The river is fun, but I doubt we'll be going again this year, it's a lot longer trip for us than most the rest of you. If you get a chance to go, you really should.

I talked with Dave Parmenter this morning and he asked that I pass along the following:

The time for putting in permits to raft the Main or Middle Fork of the Salmon River is fast approaching. Last year several of us went down the MF when Ruth drew a permit and the trip was great fun and very memorable. At the time we had discussed doing an all-family trip with Dave and some of his kids this year. He wants to know if we are still interested. The Main Salmon is easier to draw a permit for, timing is fairly flexible and could be great fun in late spring for a broad range of ages. The MF is not easy to draw for and you pretty much have to go on the date your permit assigns and smaller kids wouldn't be a good idea. The object of this blog is to get a discussion going amongst the family as to what, when, where, and - most importantly - who wants to go. If we can resolve a few dates and numbers in the next couple of weeks, we can plan with Dave on making a trip. I think this would be a ton of fun for the adult and semi-adult members of the family. I am willing to coordinate things if enough of you respond to make it worthwhile. Please call or email me if you would like to go and some suggested dates. My email is jwhitehead@pedersen-law.com and I can be reached by phone at (208)734-2552 or 737-9635. after we know how many are interested, we can put together some numbers in terms of how much, per person, and how long we'll be on the river. For comparison, last year we spent 5 days, 4 on the river, flew in to the drop off (small planes - really fun), had great meals and snacks - all for $250 per person. The bulk of the charge was the "airfare", the rest covered the food. The same trip through a professional outfitter costs between $1500 and $2500 per person. also, if we vote on the Main (or don't draw the MF) there is no airfare involved in the price. Let me know asap if you're interested.

- Jarom

Well, here we go again. Bryce is back in the hospital. He got the same cold that jackson and conner have. All of the blood work that they have done has come back negative, so the doctor says it is just a virus. He cannot breathe well on his own. They have him on oxygen and they say it will be a couple of days until his lungs clear up. We did get some good news this week. A professor at Utah State responded very positively to the resume that I sent him and wants me to come to USU. I still have to be accepted to the graduate school so nothing is official yet but it looks like there is a good chance we will be going to Logan for the next two years. That's all for now, Chris

Looks like no one could answer my question so I called Joey. He is leaving on the 26th and speaking at church on the 23rd of Feb. He said all he really needs now is socks and money!!! We are doing great. Hope to see all of you who go to Joey"s thing.

Does anyone know the date of our big weekend in Feb. So we can start planning when to be there?

Yes, Lisa, for people with a speech impediment it is often helpful to laugh at them, it really helps them realize they have a problem. Kidding of course. Wish we could have gone to Joey's endowment. This is a weird work week. One day off in the middle really messes with your head. I thought today was Monday.

Christmas came and went as usual around here. We played Santa for some people in our Ward who are unemployed. It was fun and memorable and we involved the kids so they really enjoyed it. It reminded me of the time when someone left a house full of goodies for us when we came home from church in Alaska. Our Ward fast offerings are barely cutting it, and usually we have a pretty good surplus. There are many unemployed and underemployed families. There are some bright spots as a few are starting to find jobs. Several of the guys I know who were laid off last year have now found work, and they are very happy. I hope the economy picks up steam (slowly) and things get a little better. I'm glad the boom is over and hope it taught some people a lesson in humility, but the Ken Lay's of the world haven't paid as dearly as Joe Employee has.

Wishing you all a wonderful and happy new year. Our new years eve included going to bed at 10 o'clock. I was beat.

Wow Lisa that is cool. Sounds like a great oportunity.
It is really exciting for us to have that many in our family able to go to the temple. We wish we could have been there.It sounds like it was a fun weekend with the family.

We had a portion of the family gather for Joeys Temple endowments. It was very cool to sit with mom in the session and realize that we now have 11 out of 12 children able to go to the temple. Pretty cool. I know Dad's proud of Joey right now. We had the annual Christmas play with mom and the grandkids that were close. It was fun. Polly, in answer to your question I am working two and a half days a week in Ogden near Dan's work at Valley View Elementary School. I am the Speech-Language Pathologist for the school of about 750 kids. It is kind of scary to have that much responsibility but I think I will be able to handle it. My case load is only about 40 kids give or take a few referrals and kids moving in and out of the district. A little girl came in last week, she is in the first grade and asked "arwe you da new speech teacherw?" I had to laugh and ask her what her name was and if she was on my list...She was. When school starts again in January I will be working there and then finishing an externship and a few other things on campus but otherwise I am all but done! Cool huh?!! I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas and a terrific new year.

So Lisa What is your new job, where are you working?

This is a blanket congrats to everyone for all of their great news!!!! What a wonderful family we have - and so technically minded as well. Others should be so lucky! Lestie was mostly correct with my contact information for anyone that is interested. My home phone is 208-737-9635, not 36. I always enjoy getting phone calls (and placing them as my phone bill will attest to). Merry Christmas everyone. - Jarom.

I would like to know if anyone would like to get together to buy mom a nice gift, it may be a little late for Christmas but I ws thinking it would be nice to do something really great for Mother's Day- her birthday? By the way congrats Angie and Drew! That is wonderful.
My only announcement is that I am still looking for a nice job for my hubby, something that wouldn't require as many Sundays. Just keep your ears to the ground, for some reason this seems like the best way to find something. Anyway, if you do not receve a Christmas card from us, I am about two months behind ( I think it was the bed rest!) so look forward to a valentine! Merry Christmas to all, and If any brave souls want to spend the holiday in Polson you are all welcome!

What is Jarom's phone number? Does anyone know it? I am trying to put this Christmas party together for Saturday and I need to give him his assignments. Ben, it was really nice to talk to you. It is sad to think it is so difficult to keep in touch as a family. There is just too many of us! But oh, what fun when we do get together! I love my new job! I have been there a whole two days and it keeps getting better and better, now that the scary part of being new has worn off a bit. Congratulations to Angela! Anyone else have any other announcements to make? Polly, thanks for the Christmas card. I sure love all of you and appreciate what great people you are and how nice it is to know that we all care about each other and support each other, even if there are too many of us...

Ben if you sent to my Netzero account we stopped checking it because it got so much spam!
We are staying here for the holidays again. We are hoping to see everyone in Feb. for Joey's farewell.
We wanted to thank those of you who sent us presents. We can't wait to get Christmas over with. I hope Andy at least gets Christmas day off. But we will see. I have failed at sending out my Christmas cards. But maybe I will get out some e-mail cards. We hope you all have a great holiday!
Congrats to Angela and Drew. I will gather all the stuff that I have to give you. That is so exciting.

Yes this time of year is quite crazy when you add finals to it. I had two yesterday and I have a really awful one left for tomorow night. In between I have YW and a Christmas party and all the other stuff that goes with it. It is getting a little bit crazy in our house this year. Come Thursday I am going to be running to get everything done by Christmas.
Drew and I got some interesting news yesterday. I was not going to tell anyone for awhile but since Missy knows and she is terrible with secretes, I better tell. We finally figured out where babies come from and we are going to have another in August! Anyway we are pretty excited for us. Our spoiled children will have to learn how to share and everything. Hope you all have a great holiday. I sent all of you something if i am not going to see you in the next few days so let me know if you don't get it.

Lisa, I am jealous. Today I filed my intent to graduate papers for this Spring. It felt really weird, having actually satisfied all of the requirements, except this last class I'm starting in January. It's like in the back of my mind I just know they're going to come up with something that I forgot at the last minute and make me continue another semester. Everyone's had that nightmare. Most of all, congratulations on finishing. I don't know how many times I have almost quit. In the back of my mind I knew I wouldn't, but it just seems so inconvenient. Kissing up to professors that, at this point, I feel like I could tell them a few things about the real world. I think I really am getting too old for this stuff. So, I especially admire people who take a long break from school and then go back. It's just that much harder to take.

I hope you get a great job, or whatever you're intentions are. I'm still employed, but if I do lose my job, my hope is that I'll be more employable with an advanced degree. That's the theory, anyway.

When you're in school, Christmas really sneaks up on you, too. You just finish a final, and after you finish, you are euphoric for only a brief time, then you realize how many things you've got to get done before Christmas. It's crazy. Hopefully, never again. I also realize how much work I have let slide trying to finish my school projects, and now I have to catch up. What fun.

Julie and Chris, I am so glad to hear that your little baby is doing better. I just finished my last final of my Masters program!!! But I have not been checking the blog very well and since no one ever calls I have not talked to anyone either. Ben, your sister in laws baby is really cute. I am glad that all worked out so well. Polly and Andy, it would be fun to see you at Christmas. Your pictures are cute! All is well here. I enjoyed seeing Angela, Julie, Lestie and their new babies with Mom during Thanksgiving. I just can't believe how time flies when your busy. I trying to get all my Christmas letters out. You may get them email...I hope everyone is doing well and enjoying Christmas as hectic as it can be.

Polly I sent you a reply indicating I put the pictures up, but it bounced saying you exceeded your mail quota. I can give you a new free webmail account if you want, it's really easy.

Anyway, the pictures are at andynpolly.meteorbike.com. They are cute.

Well I sent Ben the pictures that I took of the kids to send in a christmas card to family and friends. I hope I get it done. We are staying home for the holidays because Andy has to work. Everyone in his dept. took off so Andy is stuck holding down the fort. I was glad to here Little Bryce is doing better it is really sad to have a sick baby. I hope everyone has a great christmas I will send you a e-mail card as well. MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!!

Anyone can send me all the pictures they want and I will put them onto my website in your own little folder, and then link them back onto blogger so everyone can see. If the pictures are more than 2 or 3 megabytes, send them to my meteorbike address, which is ben at meteorbike dot com, but use the correct symbols.

I don't like to post e-mail addresses here because it can be obtained by a spambot. Okay, call me paranoid, but I get very little spam.

To see everyones email, click on the Team icon above this window, and there, if you are logged in, will give you the e-mail of everyone in this group.

So, send me those pictures!

We are finally home! Bryce is doing great, he was off oxygen on Sunday night, and now is home with some more meds to take orally. He is changing daily, I almost didn't recognize him when they finally took the IV out of his head, and tubes off his face! If anyone wants to see pics, I can e-mail them but don't have anyone's e-mail. Maybe the wizzard Ben can help me post one?

It's been too long since I visited blogger. Looks like I missed some things. I hope Bryce is okay. I've been spending all my time on school, work, and dabbling on my meteorbike.com and I have neglected peeking in at blogger.

For you guys, and I mean guys, who want a good laugh, check out this commercial. Personally, I think it's funny. My wife hates it.

Oh, and for those of you who missed it, my sister-in-law, Raelynn, had her baby, hence the pictures of "James." She gave James up for adoption last week to one of Gigi's friends. Long story, I think I posted something about it awhile back. Anyway, just so you know the baby pictures aren't ours.

Sorry to hear about Bryce, we will be praying for him.(As well as the rest of the family I am sure!) On a brighter note, Angie and Drew get a big thumbs up on the hosting job they did over Thanksgiving. Angela did all of the cooking while Tim , and the boys played cards and I breastfed. (She is a good cook too.) Drew and Joe did manage about 6 or so pies, and had no trouble finding volunteers to eat it! (Drew is also a good cook, as far as pumpkin pie goes!) Anyway, I hope everyone had as fun Thanksgiving as we did with the Pendlebury crew, thanks again. We will probably see most of you at Joe's farewell.

Well, we finally know what bryce has we think. The doctor is pretty sure that he has pneumonia. He has consulted extensively with primary childrens and that is the diagnosis that they have come up with. They have changed his medication and told us that it will be another four days for sure possibly seven. He does seem to be improving since he has been on antibiotics. He is still on oxygen and has an IV for his meds but other than that he seems to be O.K. He is eating well and is pretty alert when not sleeping. That's about it I guess. Chris.

We are sorry to hear that keep us posted I will call over there. We will pray for you all!

Hello All, I have some bad news to report unfortunately. Bryce is back in the hospital. Our family was hit with a cold virus last week and every one of us got it. Bryce has not dealt with it well and is getting sicker instead of better. They have him on oxygen and antibiotics. They thaught it was a virus so the first day and a half they did not use antibiotics but he was not getting better and one of his eyes developed an infection. Our doctor called primary childrens and they advised him to start antibiotics and run a multitude of other tests. Needless to say he has been poked in just about every visible vein. The last I heard was he will be there for at least 7 days because that is the duration of the antibiotic cycle. Of course, things could change if he improves or gets any worse. This couldn't have happened at a better time with finals coming up next week (ha ha). He is in room 611 at portneuf medical center 208-239-1000. Take care and we will update as needed. Chris.

Thanks that really helps. Does everyone realize that the person that we give to this year will give to us next year I guess we better all rethink our presents.

Mom and I figured out the Christmas list and everyone has the person just older than you this year. So you Polly have Juliette. Anyway that also means that next year we all have ourselves I plan on buying myself something really nice next year! Just kidding, I think that means we skip ourselves and go to the next down. Hope you all have a great Thanksgiving! Joe is at our house and Drew and Joe plan on baking about 60 pumkin pies and consuming them all by themselves. We will see how that goes. Take care!

I was told we have Tyler and Ruth this year, I know we had Valisa last year, so you can figure it out from there, I think.

For those of you who want a giggle, I put a webcam on my desk in my basement. It automatically uploads the picture here on my new website. I'm now the proud new owner of meteorbike.com, there's nothing really new there yet, but that's where I plan on putting my stuff in the future.

Does anyone know who has who for Christmas I think I gave to Lesti last year but I forget! Anyone who has a clue please do share

Congratulations, guys. There is nothing quite so sweet and peaceful as bringing a new spirit into your home. Are you sure he was four weeks early? He's awfully big! Hope everything is well with you guys and she gets home soon. I told Julie about it and hopefully she can call Juliette soon.

Congrats to Juliette. That is really exciting to have everything go well. I talked to Juliette yesterday she sounded good just a little tired. But who isn't after they have a baby.

The baby is here! Juliette gave birth to Bryce Jacobs Holmes at 10:53 p.m. on sunday Nov. 17. He was about 4 weeks early, but seems to be fine. He was 7 lbs. 5 oz. and 19in. long. the birth went really smoothly (epideral) and we are glad to finally have it over with. I will let juliette tell the whole story when she gets home. She is planning on calling everyone with the cell phone once she gets out of the hospital.
Take Care, Chris

I am home now, just had the second dose of steroids. Hopefully baby will be healthy when he comes! I am supposed to be on bedrest, but I am sure you all know how easy that is with 2 kids already. I will let you all know when the baby makes his appearance.
Love, Juliette

Hello all,
just a little note to let you know what is going on. Juliette has been in pre-term labor since yesterday morning (tuesday). She is still in the hospital and it looks like she will be there for a couple more days. They have given her medication to stop the contractions but she is dialated to a 4-5. they preformed an amniocentesis (sp) and determined that the babys' lungs were not yet fully developed. they are going to give her steroids to speed up the developement of the lungs. She is at portneuf medical center 208-239-1222 (room) and would probably apreciate a call. she feels pretty good, but is very frustrated with having to stay in the hospital for so long. she is about 35 weeks and the doctor says one more week in the womb would be ideal for baby. The most likely scenario is 2 more days of medication to stop labor while the steroids do their job and then off the meds. and let baby come when he comes. Keep her in your prayers and I will update as needed. Take care, Chris

We are not going to Gigi's either. We plan on having a nice old turkey dinner by ourselves. We have done that the last two years it is kind of nice. That is great to hear that your options are looking good lisa! and Congrats to Ben as well! Not much else to tell. We are doing well. I hope you all have a great Thanksgiving.

Gigi's is going to be a hot spot for Thanksgiving. I wish I could be there, but alas, my sister in law is having her baby then. So, our plans for Thanksgiving include stuffing ourselves with Turkey right here. Julie's parents may show up, but it sounds like Julie and Raelynn are discouraging them from coming because Raelynn may have her baby then and they don't want their mother at the hospital with them (she's getting wierder every all the time). Ideally, I'd like to get a good computer game and sit in the basement playing it for the whole break, but there doesn't seem to be anything good being released lately. Oh well, maybe by Christmas.

I heard from Lestie that everyones going to go to Gigi's for Thanksgiving? Is that true? I know I'm not. We sold our van and do not plan on replacing it until the first of next year. Hey Ben-Congratulations on graduating again! How does it feel? I am currently being chased down by prospective employers. It is a bit scary, also exciting to be in demand. Maybe I'll be rich and famous someday...Hah! Just kidding. I am positive that will never happen, beside I do not want to be famous...What are everyones plans for thanksgiving?

Julie, I have Jarom's info, I'll send it to you. So, nothing new this week for us. Julie is still pregnant, I'm guessing four months along now. She is due in April. School is almost over for me, we're going to be done, except for the final, by Thanksgiving. Wahoo. One class left and I'll graduate...again.

Jarom...are you still here? Just wondering, we haven't heard from you guys in a while! What is your new phone #? I think I need your new cell # too, if you have it! Just trying to get an updated list so I can call everyone and let them know when the baby comes.

If we get a good enough tax return we are going to try to go. It does look like it should be fun.

Joey isn't leaving until February, so I don't know if anyone has made plans to see him off or not.

Ben I got that ghost story from three other people! It really got around. I looked at it one morning when I was checking e-mail it was great. Then I was showing Andy and It got me again. It is a good one!
I talked to Joey too so do we know when he is leaving? Does anyone know who is going to make it?

Joey got his mission call to Toulouse, France yesterday. I talked to him on the phone and he was very excited. The mission is in the south and covers the French Riviera, which Joey was very excited about. It includes Marseilles. Julie's brother, Thomas, is in Marseilles right now.

So, call Joey and congratulate him, if you haven't already.

Thanks for that nice Halloween scare Ben, you ought to be ashamed of yourself! :)

It's Halloween, so here's a ghost story. Tyler sent me this story:

"Apparently the owners of this house had been seeing images and hearing voices for quite a while. They did some research and found that a lady once lived in the house who lost her husband during the civil war. Legend says that she used to sit at the table and look across the fields in anticipation of her loved one returning home. He never came.

So, they say she still waits. They caught this photo (using digital imaging and sound) of what they claim to be her. This one is wild and a little spooky once you find the ghost in the picture. It took me about 20 seconds to find it, but when you do, it just stands out. Like one of those optical illusions. To save you some time, concentrate around the table and sort of towards the window. Also, if you have volume, turn it up as you can hear some faint murmuring which they say is the ghost talking."

Can you See the Ghost?

Ben, that is very touching. I am also very grateful for the opportunity to have a family. I have taken having kids for granted, until I had two miscarriages. It really makes you appreciate all that you have. I like the comment that dad made, I had forgotten that- but I remember him talking like that. It made me have tears in my eyes to read it. Whenever anyone finds out I come from a family of 12 kids, I get the normal reaction I am sure you have all heard many times- "12 kids, oh my heck! Do YOU want 12 too???" I can only imagine the flack mom and dad got for having that many, but like Polly I sure am glad they had the right spirit about it, because I couldn't imagine our family with one less kid. (No, I don't want 12 kids either! :)

Wow that made me cry! That is so neat how things just seem to work out when you follow the spirit. We have been very blessed to have healthy beutiful children all of us. I know we all are having the families that we promised to have up in heaven and I am so thankful to our mother for having all of us.
Well I have nothing much to brag about we have had the flu here we were just getting over our colds it has been quite the round of sickness here.
Abby's third birthday is tomorrow. I am throwing her a tea-birthday party. It is really wierd to think that I have a three year old. Wow time has sure seemed to fly by lately. I want Lesti and Tim to come and move near me. I will find you guys a job in Reno.
Abby and Brock are going to be bears for halloween. Well I love you all and hope you have a great holiday. Get lots of candy!

Well Ben that is very touching I am in complete agreement with the fertility thing. I have never had the opportunity to take it for granted and for that I know that I am very blessed to have two very beautiful children who I know were meant for my family and because I had to work so hard to get them I think I appreciate them that much more. I think the sacrifices of young women like your sister in law are the greatest ones in life and that new family will always love her for it. I wish her the best of luck with the rest of her life she is certianly doing the right thing.
Also congrats to Lestie I promise I will call you back today I was sick yesterday and got a little behind. I will also look for any jobs for Tim. They are building a new hospital and surgery center here in IF and I bet there is alot of oppenings there.

Though an interesting series of events, which I will only touch on, a friend of Gigi's will be getting Raelynn's baby through adoption. Raelynn has been struggling lately going through the literal stacks of people who want her baby. Gigi called me some time ago and mentioned that she had friends who were going through the whole infertility thing, they lived in Denver, and were trying to adopt. I told her that there was a long line and it was really Raelynn's decision, but I would tell her. Gigi called again several times and talked with Julie and Raelynn, mentioning how much she was being hounded by the Spirit to get this off her shoulders and at least put them in contact with each other. Raelynn had earlier decided, with lackluster, to go with another family that she liked, but when she did go through Gigi's friend's application, she was strongly impressed that they were the right ones.

The agency helped her call the family and tell them they were now expecting a boy, everyone cried and it was a very emotional moment. So, thanks go to Gigi for following her heart and putting these very capable parents in the front of a very long line, as anyone who tries to adopt soon finds out.

I have learned of late just how precious it is to be able to procreate and raise children. You would not believe what many people have to go through to get a child these days. As dad once reminded us, don't put off having your families, as they will be the single most important thing in your life when you are older and wise enough to realize it. I think we have all done well to heed that advice.

I stated that we were blessing Nicholas in December, but we have changed it to the last Sunday in November. There is still an open invite for anyone who wants to treck up to Polson. Having a boy is definately different, and yes Julie he has christened almost everyone and everything in my house. I am also interested in any information anyone may have on a job for my husband near one of you. Just e-mail it to me at timk@polson.net. We are currently trying to find him a more family friendly job.

Yeah Lestie and Ben! Great accomplishments for both of you. Lestie has finally added a boy to her group and Ben has become an official bike racer! Thats awesome for both of you. Julie, I wish you lived close enough to bake some bread for me. I would love it. Best of luck on your prospering business tactics. All is well here, however I don't have anything great to brag about other than I am still going to graduate in May with my masters and it has been a long haul. I am proud of myself for sticking it through. Maybe I am getting older and smarter...possibly. Lestie your little boy is beautiful. Congratualtions again. My kids will be really excited that they have a new little cousin.