The Marlpit-Hill Boyntons

Connor is starting classes at BYU today and Matt and Kim came up from Mesa, where they spent the holidays, to get him settled. The Happiness Hotel was full, so Stephen and Ann were kind enough to let them use their guest room for one night. Last night they stayed with us. It was great to see them if only for a short time.

 Dinner at La Casita

 Grammy and Brigham

He has changed a lot

They are headed back to Mesa for a few days before they return to England. That's all for now.

OXO

D.

Post Christmas 2014 and New Years 2015

The day after Christmas the Hastings came to town to join in the New Years festivities. That included lots of snow-related activities, movies like Into the Woods and The Hobbit, and lots of eating, including our annual Greek dinner. The group is large enough that our house can hardly handle it, so the girls scheduled the church, which, though not as personal, was great: the kids ran free.

 Lots of snow forts

 Lovely winter storms

 Sledding at the park

 Entertained by Christmas toys

 Plenty of shoveling help

 Winter-evening walk with Anna (and Rob)

 

 Sledding at Rock Canyon Park

Harry David

 

Finn and Clara

 

Good enough to eat

 

Anders and Beckham

 

 The lovely Taylor Sisters

 Everyone loves the Bombay House

 Fun company and delicious food

 We took a whole row at The Hobbit

Katy's review was mixed

But we had fun, nonetheless

 New Years Eve duel

 When life gives you cold weather, make the table an auxiliary fridge

 This game is a favorite

 Celebratory sparklers

 Setting up the ward house for our New Years night Greek dinner

 Everyone contributes

 Katy Kathryn serves the drinks

 Best Greek food anywhere

 Some of the SKT family

 The older kids plus Bea

 The younger kids plus the Ensigns

 Some of the DAT family

 The DANCE PARTAY(lor)

 Katy Kathryn prepared a great treasure hunt for Harry's party

 Reading the next clue

 Happy Birthday (early) to Harry

 Lots of good presents

 Beck, Anders, and Max

 Eight years old

 Everyone likes cake and ice cream

Cousins galore

 Balloons the day after

 Packing the cars

Headed back to Reno

Headed back to Peoria

The holidays surrounded by family are always fun. We are glad everyone could come, but now we are suffering from empty-house syndrome. That's all for now.

OXO

D.

Christmas 2014

Naturally, Christmas followed the time-honored traditions of past years with lots of family time and lots of food. Christmas afternoon, Phillip and family flew to Hawaii for Meagan's sister, Mia's wedding.

 

  Madeline celebrates 19 years

 A mighty wind

 Cousins playing Killer Bunnies

 Dinner at La Casita

 They were "very fun tonight"

 Em was Beckham's auntie of choice for this meal

 Christmas Eve dinner

 It was a bit warm in the house, so the window was open

 Second generation table

 Same good stuff to eat

 Meagan whipped up the pageant for us

 Grammy and Harry

 Beckham's rendition of Jingle Bells

 Lizzie has talent galore

 Oliver plays the trombone

 Max and Maddie dance the Macarena

 Meg and Pippy's duet

 The Christmas pudding

 The elves are ready for bed

 Just a couple of stories before turning in

 The Colvers are pleased to be there

 The Youngs listening to Grammy read a story

 Magical reflection early Christmas morning (and fresh snow)

 Exciting gifts

 Plenty of good stuff to play with

 Christmas brunch at the Ringers

The Taylors headed to Hawaii

More to follow, but this is all for now.

OXO

D.