gathering,honoring and celebrating Grandpa Bluth

(Sorry I could not get this photo to be correct. ) 

We gathered from far and near to  have the funeral services and final resting place for grandpa. The pics above show the late evening hotel activity as we all arrived in the "Valley".  Did not get a picture of Marci coming in after midnight.

 I thought it was cool that the church owns this cemetery

 The vehicle was a very fancy Escalade with gobby Catholic figures of Christ.  Grandpa would have appreciated the "mexican" flair.  

 

  Grandma was sad when we went to the cemetery a few days later. The day of the funeral people were still moving the dirt with  machinery and prier to that, those who wanted, shoveled dirt down in the hole.
 Her first words were "Oh, here is my sweetheart".  We had also been going through things at the house and that was hard also. 

I just had to put on this final one with dusty ol' Dublan in the background. Several old trucks drove by while we were at the cemetery and got the dust going.

we've got some color

 Every year after I take down the Christmas decorations, Aubrey say's that everything looks plain.  So, I went in to Hobby Lobby with the money Chelsea and Grandma King gave me and bought some "color" to go in the big window seal in this house.  We aren't stopping here.  Oh no!  Aubrey is going to sew pillows for the couches ( which we are enjoying ever so much - thank you Kleinmans)  and old picture frames are going to be spruced up.

night sledding

We wanted to do something memorable on Marci's last day home.  Most of us had been sick since around New Years and it was JUST DARN COLD outside.  The weather warmed up to the high 20's, and a gentle snow had fallen most of the day , so we went night sledding.  Marci was the brave one to go first down  into the darkness. 

 We just had 2 working sleds and had to take turns.  I am working on getting more sleds. 

I was bundled up and later took off  the camo-jacket, thus sporting my Arkansas sweatshirt.  I was super warm the entire time. 

 Walking up the small hill was a heart pumping event, but with 2 sleds one could recover before it was your turn again. 

Marci would entertain herself  in between taking pictures.

 Two on the sled!

We  made snow angels.(Dad)

Lucy

Marci

 Aubrey was very sore because of gym class.  She moaned and groaned while making her angel.

All four angels.  

 We  pulled  someone on the sled while headed for home. 

Aubrey went first.

We all got a turn, but Marci and Aubrey were  talented to take a picture of me while they held on to the rope, shone the flashlight on me, and took  pictures.

FHE

 Trying to have the energy for FHE is a challenge after a day of work, school and BB practice.  But, we do our best.

 I wanted the girls to play a duet of "Come Follow Me" for the opening hymn.
They are trying to decide which part would be best for their abilities.

 ...starting over a few times.

Very serious and doing a GREAT job. Gotta love a Mom and Dad that insist  you can at least play some hymns!!!

New Years 2013

 Marci's friend Greg Michel (his back is to the picture right now), came for New Years.  We were all too sick to go to Salt Lake as planned.  Greg has just moved from Arkansas to Bountiful, so he came to Malad.  Greg brought his Wii and we borrowed some Just Dance CD's.

 Aubrey did not spend the entire evening with us.  She REALLY wanted to be with her friends for the actual New Year. 

 Yes, Dad and I now know what Just Dance is all about.  Generally I did not score very good.  Dad did well on all kinds of dance styles. 

 I really wanted to try a balloon drop.  Marci looked up ideas on-line and we did our best with the supplies available.  Next year we will have  paper tablecloths, of the same color, (to tear easier) and a fan to blow the "stuff" around so it won't hit the ground quite so soon.  But, considering Dad, Marci and I were quite sick.  We did all right!