Kristen and Logan at the Raleigh airport after flying in from Utah and their visit with Ethan and Adam.

Ian and Merry Grace - ready for church!

Elise beside some beautiful artwork!

Computer Dependent

There was some construction going on between a couple of buildings on campus today, a retaining wall or something, and a wire was cut that no one knew was there. So, I was sitting in my office minding my own business, responding to an email about a committee I'm on and was almost ready to hit send, when everything went down! The outage was partial in our building, but eventually the power was shut off completely to repair the damage to the line. It's amazing how quiet it is with no electrical things running. My computers were silent, my printer, the fax machine, the two-way radio, telephone...all quiet. A co-worker stepped into my doorway and commented that this would not have mattered 200 years ago. He's right. We do so many things with all our electronic devices that when we don't have them, we're almost paralyzed. It's like, "Well, what do I do now? What can I do?" I was desperate to use something electronic, so I got on my cell phone and texted my family (except Logan, who I knew was in school - I didn't want his cell phone to get taken away). Not that I have to have a reason like that to text my family, but I did miss all the instant communication we are so accustomed to. And it was a good reason to take a minute to say hello to everyone. As we all adapted to our circumstances, it was interesting to look around at the ways we made the best of things as some moved into the lobby area underneath the skylight and people started using cell phones for the all-important communication we have to do. It's sort of like when it snows (which we haven't really had any to speak of this year) and we have a power outage. It is inconvenient, but it is peaceful and quiet and for a little while the world slows down - and that part is nice.

I knew this was coming...

I predicted it would be soon! I told Kristen not long ago that I was beginning to feel comfortable with finding their house and knowing my way around a little (I'm so terrible on directions!), so.... I knew they would be moving soon! It always happens! As soon as I get the hang of where they live and how to get there and get around a little - they move! So, I was not surprised to hear they bought a new house and would be moving in a couple of weeks! Hmmm.... is this number....5? in 7 years? and 4 towns/cities? and 4 wards? How exciting!

A little snow

We finally had a little snow. There wasn't much and it didn't last long, but it was pretty.

Provo vs Mount Airy Weather

Today we have a few windows open in the house and the high is supposed to be right at 60 degrees. We have a sunny, blue sky and it is quite pleasant. When I check my favorite weather websites, I sometimes type in the zip for Ethan and Adam to see what their weather is like. It is rare that I check it and see many, if any, temperatures above freezing for the week! Hard to imagine!

My Personal Space

I must be clautrophobic or something, but I usually want a little personal space between myself and particularly strangers. People I'm close to are great (you know, family & friends), but when a complete stranger invades my space, I'm uncomfortable. Yesterday in Wal-Mart, I was waiting in line to pick up a perscription for Grandma, when someone got in line behind me. I mean right behind me. I moved up a little, but didn't want to crowd the person in front of me, so there was really nowhere to go, unless I wanted to leave the line, and she moved up, too. Anyway, it was a fairly long line, so we continued to move up and with each move, she was just right there, breathing on my neck, well, almost. It wasn't unnverving exactly, just uncomfortable. I just wanted to say, "Hey, just give me a little space here! You're going to get to the check out in the same place in line, just don't crowd me!" And I won't even go into the cell phone conversation I overheard!

24

Okay...I'm pretty much addicted! We used some coupons, etc. from Blockbuster and have been watching season 5 of 24 and are planning to watch the final episode tonight! It is so interesting and exciting! I almost hate to watch the last one, because then it will be over! ...until season 6!

And the Season is....

Who can tell? It's the middle of January and last night we slept with the windows open! The weather has been so mild lately that it doesn't even feel like winter! It has been pleasant and I have enjoyed being able to get outside and do things, but it's hard to tell which season we're in sometimes! I mean we do have snow in NC...so where is it this year?! I guess we've got to have some below freezing temps first!

So Many Good Times

I posted a few of my over 500 pictures (I filled up a 1G card...hard to believe...well maybe not too hard if you've been around me much!) I tried to hit some of the highlights in pictures, but well, there were so many memories, it was just hard to capture it all! I should mention our tradition of Adrian reading a Christmas story during December and our service activity we enjoy doing as a family and our special home evening together. Just so many good times! I guess when we live far apart, we just try to squeeze all the fun, celebration, laughter, love, and memories we can into a couple of weeks together! It was all fun and special, from the games and movies, to watching the kids and grandkids, to walks and talks, to good food, to all the thoughtful gifts and expressions - it was all just great! I am so thankful for a wonderful family! And I'm thankful for blogs, email, cell phones, web cams, texting, IMing, etc, that shorten the miles! And I can't wait for the next time to get this great crowd together!

An end and a beginning

Adam and Ethan packed up to go back to college and we left Mount Airy again, headed off to Kristen's in Raleigh on Thursday for a meal together, blessings, and our goodbyes. Kristen took them to the airport on Friday and it was a long day of traveling and then for Ethan and Adam a long weekend of moving and getting settled in their apartment and ready for classes on Monday. I guess back to the routine and looking ahead to the next time we get together!
Adam gave Ian and Elise his stuffed snake, so here we are with the famous snake that had been hanging from the ceiling in the boys bedroom for quite a few years.



A good holiday season! We had a wonderful Christmas and New Year's together and loved spending time together and celebrating the season! It is one of the hap-happiest times of the year! 

Happy New Year

Kristen, Cory and family packed up to go home for New Years and we followed close behind. Here we are at Kristen's getting ready for church.
On New Year's Eve we got out the table cloth and began writing our memories of 2006. We also read our predictions and made some new ones for 2007!

On New Year's Day, we drove to Winston to go ice skating and then to use the tickets Kristen and Cory gave us for the Wake Forest basketball game!

On our last night in Mount Airy, Grandma was so kind to take us all out to dinner.
 

More...

A picture of part of the group after an outing.
It was chilly, but that didn't stop us from roasting hot dogs outside in the fire pit one night!

And who could forget watching ball games at Grandma Delia's house and a wild night of games!

The kids enjoyed getting outside and playing in the yard, kicking balls, riding down the hill, seeing Papa's chickens, and all that fun stuff!
 

The day continues...

We played games...and more games...and games again! Over the holiday we played: Mormon Rook, Apples to Apples, Sequence, Outburst, Taboo, Scattergories, Baulderdash, Mormon Dating Game, and probably some others. It was a lot of fun to visit, laugh, and play together!



We had Christmas dinner with all the trimmings.



Later in the day, we gathered around the table to make gingerbread houses. It was pretty typical Jarrell creativity! :) Elise was a great decorator!



One day we had a "yard sale" and let the kids take turns picking out our stuff to take home with them! We got rid of some things we weren't using and hopefully they got some good stuff they can use! Another day we all went bowling. Below is a picture of Papa and Merry Grace at the bowling alley. Papa with his Wake gear and Gracie with her Carolina attire!

 

Christmas Morning

The Grandmas came over and we all unwrapped presents together.



Lots of wonderful gifts were given and received!


 

Christmas Eve 2006

We had our traditional taco dinner on Christmas Eve.
Ethan, Adam, and Logan spent some time catching up on xbox games.

Kristen, Cory, Elise, Ian, and Merry Grace (and Max) arrived on Christmas Eve after spending time in Albertson with Cory's family.
 

The Holiday Begins

Kristen surprized us by changing Ethan's ticket, so when we went to her house to pick up Adam, there was Ethan, too! And a trip to Kristen and Cory's wouldn't be complete without some time on the trampoline!
After a delicious meal, as always, Logan went with Cory to a YMYW temple trip for their ward while the rest of us visited. After their return, we headed up the road home to get ready for more holiday fun.

Back in Mount Airy, the guys enjoyed some time playing soccer together out in the yard.

 

 

Holidays

Merry Grace and Elise looking cute in their pink shirts.

Eight Ball (8bol) relaxing under the Christmas tree.

The beautiful wreath Kristen made for me. 

Thanksgiving Weekend

We had a nice weekend together with Kristen, Cory, Elise, Ian, and Merry Grace, and Max, who came in late on Thursday. Kristen and Cory had fun shopping on Friday while we had fun with the grandkids, then we enjoyed our Thanksgiving dinner with the grandmas.

Logan likes to kick the soccer ball again the couch for a little extra practice.


Looking toward the mountains at sunset.

Adrian made a delicious pecan pie for our Thanksgiving dinner, not to mention a great turkey!


Our Thanksgiving dinner.