Christmas Holiday Update

It seems like I haven't posted for weeks. We've had a delightful holiday. The Sunday before Christmas we spent at Grandma and Grandpa Ferrin's house for a sleepover. It was nice for the kids to get their grandparents to themselves. We had Sunday dinner and then opened our Christmas gifts to each other. We put the kids to bed, and then Mom Ferrin and I created "sculpy" angels for my 8 young women (Beehives) at church, and Dad Ferrin and Eric did a puzzle. On Christmas Eve, we went home and prepared for the night's activities. We drove back to the Ferrin household, to be joined by Karla, Don and their family, Neil and LeAnn, Stefanie, Josh and their family, Rachel, Brandon and their daughter, and Tim and Carly. Peter, Kristina and their daughter were sorely missed. We had a traditional Portuguese Christmas dinner consisting of boiled vegetables and fish, and then we had a family musical program with different members of the family performing. After all of that excitment, we packed up the kids and drove back home. Most of the other siblings stayed at Grandma's house.

Christmas morning was delightful. The kids woke up about 6 and went downstairs to discover their gifts from Santa. Then we opened gifts. We spent a quiet morning playing and watching "Elmo's World" DVDs. Jon-Jon LOVES anything Elmo. So when he discovered that DVD, he insisted on watching it at least 5 times. At about 9 o'clock, we started the pie making. The only trauma was when both containers of shortening were rancid. Eric drove all over Springville looking for any place that had shortening. Nobody did, but we were able to borrow some from a neighbor. We made pumpkin, dark chocolate cream, sugar-free cherry, banana cream, and apple pies. They were delicious. We had a traditional American Christmas dinner with turkey and all the trimmings.

The day after Christmas, the Hunstman cousins came from Salt Lake City to go to Jumpin Jacks with the kids. They had a blast. I only wish I had pictures. We then topped off the evening with a visit to the Golden Arches. How could a day get better?

We were going to head to Idaho for the blessing of my sisters' new baby, but didn't make it after the hospitalization of the husband of my best friend, Liz. He's still in Intensive Care, with the doctors and nurses confused about whether or not he had a heart attack. A nasty infection has made him a very sick man, and we stayed at home to help Liz with her children. Please direct any thoughts and prayers to their family.

Tonight we had another turkey dinner (turkeys were cheap 50 cents a pound). Rachel, Brandon and Abi came over and also our neighbor, Karen (who the children adore -- especially Jon-Jon.)

So, now that you have been updated, except our love for the beautiful Holiday Season and Wonderful New Year.

Family Night Activity

Last night, we took the kids to a new business in the community called "Jumpin Jacks." It is housed in a large warehouse and the whole room is filled with large inflatables. Eric and I even played for a little while, a very short while for Mom. I was more content to help Jon play. I was reminded of the old TV show "American Gladiators," and I realized why I would never be a contestant. It was much harder to do than it looked. The kids had a great time and they want to take all of their cousins and friends.

Saturday Update

Well, we didn't end up going to Salt Lake, and it was a good thing too. There was a huge concert at Temple Square, and it would have been a zoo. We went to Mom and Dad Ferrin's house and watched the B&W version of "Miracle on 34th Street." I'd forgotten how much I like that movie.

This is a picture of Braden after his choir concert yesterday. It was crazy. Lots of parents and no seating area. *sigh*

A Lazy Saturday

We are spending a lazy Saturday at home. Braden, Emma and Adam spent part of the afternoon in their snowsuits, playing in the backyard. We are now waiting for Jon-Jon to wake up from his nap so we can decide what the rest of the day holds. We are debating on going to Sweet Tomatoes ( a salad buffet in Salt Lake City) for dinner, riding TRAX to Temple Square, and then walking around to see the lights and displays. It's very beautiful, and it's a family tradition.

Trying to figure this out

Today is Friday and I'm still trying to figure this blog out. Braden has a 4th Grade Christmas Concert at the Mall in Orem, so we will be going to that.

On the left is a picture of my new niece, Daphne Rose Johnson. She is a doll.

The birth of our family Blog

Hello. This is our new blog. Braden is home from school today, so we are trying to find something fun to do together. I discovered that trying to keep up with a webpage is very difficult to do, so the Ferrin Family will try this new medium.

This is the most recent family portrait. The children look respectable, which is why Mom has a silly smirk on her face. You can't win them all. Braden wants me to tell you that he is the handsome boy on the left side of the picture. (Mom added the "handsome" part.)