It's about Time!!!

(This is to show Brent that we ate his favorite dinner without him!)

Well hello again and late, my excuse this time is Sherrie was going to write and chickened out. A lot of good things have happened and a few not so. We have enjoyed the coming of the cooler weather and all that it means for us Desert Rats. The A/C is off and the windows are open, the daytime temps are in the 70's, overnite in the 50's. We love it so much. We had our usual Halloween with 2 little ones and bri and jo's kids. Did they ever get the candy. I am a little worried about the cross dressing Conner, looks so cute.

We have mourned ASU's downfall this year and even hurt for the Y and the tuff loss to Utah. One thing we can count on is that Brent is there to make it all make sense. We are looking forward to the Territorial Cup against UofGay. They need to step up and save the season. Woiuld not hurt if Tuitama broke his leg.

Had a great Thanksgiving Day. So glad to have Brent and Kami down, although we missed the kids. Man did we eat good and had plenty to go around. We were blessed to have Grandma Ellsworth here from Denver, we love her so much for all that she brings to the family and how she cares so much for all of us. The only way I could show her was to make the rolls that she was going to make while she was talking to Sherrie. She got even by putting them in the pan as I cut and rolled them. Made a coconut cream, banana cream, pumpkin and apple pie the night before and Nancy brought a pecan pie, Also had two 20 pound Turkeys in the oven. Agood trick I have learned is to put an apple in the bird, as I don't stuff them. Makes them so much more moist and so tasty.

We had so much fun with the game playing and how Kami likes to play 7 up and hold the 7's to try to get BK Morty to fire up and maybe cuss a little bit. Also played 99 and generally had a good time. Seemed that Brent was right behind Blake to be the first ones out, just a thought.

On Saturday morning Sherrie and I got all the Christmas decorations up as you can see. The house is now a winter wonderland. Does make it all so festive and the Yuletide bright. Heard that before. Took Mom to the airport this morning at 5:30 am, on my way to work, and now we miss her, hope Gena and Marianne are happy and proud of themselves. I have always known that I had a special place in my moms heart right behind Sharon, Gena, Marianne, and Dean. Makes me feel so good........

Some of my faves are,

1. This timne of year with all the wonderful meanings that it brings to us with the life of our Saviour. It is really too bad that it takes us a while to learn this.

2. The chance to go out in all the crowds of rude and crappy people and get shoved and pushed just to get a present for someone.

3. The opportunity to spend all the money that the family hasn't gotten out of you through the year.

4. The chance to see the joy on the faces of the little grandkids when they get their presents, it is all about them.

5. The chance to go through the season with my wonderful wife, she means so much to me for all that she has seen me through and the unconditional love that she shows me, thus providing the opportunity for me to return it to her 10 fold, well try too anyway.

6. For each of my children and for the good things that they try to do in their lives and their families lives, just remember that your mother is aware of you and your lives and is probably very involved trying to help you from the other side.

May God bless each and every one of you that have touched my life and have a wonderful holiday and be safe.

Well here goes another stab at being a good blogger. This last week or so was very eventful. First was the visit of the Saint George Ellsworths. Always good to see them, even though Brent wanted the family to go to the cross town rival football game. For those of you who do not know how my son operates, any team he backs to win has a better than 90% chance to lose. He backed Mesa High and they suffered their worst defeat of the year at the hands of the Mt. Vies Toros. He will never learn.

And on a note closer to home, I called him when the BYU Cougars were playing TCU. He ispulling for the Cougs now, need I say more to the Little family. You had better keep him for the other team or face the kiss of death. My beloved uncle Herman made some friendly wagers with Brent on college football and even let him choose the games, he had to die with Brent owing him the bucks. It is an endless story.

Now for my Sunday 6, in no particular order;

1. I am grateful for fast Sunday and the opportunity to share in the spirit of the meetings, and yes to even share my testimony. I only wish to hear my families also.

2. I am grateful for Brian and the good son that he is, for the wood work he has done around our house and the good dad that he is, not to mention the good husband that he has become, Jolynn will back me up on this one.

3. I am grateful for Lyndsey and Jolynn for being daughters that I am so proud of, and for the good job they do in honoring motherhood and Sherrie and I as parents.

4. I am grateful for Lizzie the dog, an undying companion to the end that loves me unconditionally'

5. Even more grateful am I for my good wife without whom I sould be nothing in this world. She keeps me on an even keel and presents good judgement and common sense. She makes this life bearable and complete.

6. I am thankful for ovens, without which no delectable baked goods could come into the world. Baking offers me a release of tension, besides if you bake good everyone may even like you.

We have had the house painted and now like it better, now we have to start the inside, and all the honey do's. I will become more proficient with the camera and get some pix up soon. I lovc you all and pray for your continued health and prosperity.

Well, here is a stab at my Sunday 6.

1. I am truly thankful for my wife who stands by me (albeit shortly) through the trials and joys of this life. She has been my rock and my strength and a voice of reason when I get skewed.

2. I am grateful to be able to attend the Priesthood session with my son and grandson, miss Brent being there but the ice cream after was still good.

3. I am grateful for the Holy Ghost manifesting to me during conference that the truth is being spoken. The Gospel is our safe haven in the storm around us.

4. I am grateful for the Saviors love for us and the example that he is. It makes it easoer to deal with my latest test. Just let me say that we have our freedom to choose as we please, but the one choosing is not the only one affected by that choice. How true are the words that Susan said, don't feel sorry for me, you have to stay here and deal with all the trouble in the world. AMEN

5. I am grateful for all the grandchildren that I am blessed with, and so very happy for the 2 newest to bless our lives.

6. I am grateful for the daughters that I have, and for the things that they bring to the table of life, especially for Kami and the love that she gives to Brent, unconditionally, I may be prejudiced, but he deserves a break, thank you all,I love you.

Cruise Slide Show

Alaskan Cruise!!

Well well well, I am back now and no worse for the wear. All of you remember that as a senior in high school I got a flier urging us to go to classes on the new wave of the future, computers, and I scoffed at this new idea and said that it would never get off the ground. That is the level of intelligence on computers that I deal with. A little sympathy here.

You have seen the slide show of our Alaska trip, a few words about it. We have never in our lives on this earth seen a land so green and wild and beautiful. Fog and mist everywhere, low clouds and some drizzling rain. we had sun in Ketchikan and fog, clouds and mist every where else. The temps stayed between 53 and 60 with no wind or measurable rain in port. Victoria Canada was the coolest stop at 48 and a slight breeze and what a quaint and beautifu island it is situated on.

We cruised out of Seattle and let me tell you that is one hilly city and is full of save the earth mountain muffins. I couldn't have a paper in my hand and someone would ask to recycle it for me. Geeesh. The streets Are so narrow and shaded. Nice place to visit and leave from.

We next hit Ketchikan, the site of the famous airplane ride over the mountains and glaciers. It is a tiny city built on the very steep slopes of the low ridges. It is 1/2 mile wide and 4 miles long. Some of the pix are of the houses way away from everyone else. The sewer lines are under ground here as ther is no perma frost, but the outlying homes have outdoor privies. Here is where we rode a jet Catamaran, covered and all with toilets for 3 hours up the Misty Fijord. Once again, to see all the mountains and the islands are one big mountain made of granitr with a layer of spongy material from 6 inche to a couple of feet thick. The trees grow in this with no roots in the ground, the first hydroponics on earth. We could see all th striations from the glaciers and all the thousands of little waterfalls that run continually off thesides. There was this cool little jagged peak sticking up from middle of the Fijord and it had vegetation all over it. Some loggers wife went out to this and planted all of the plants she had in her home when they left. The Botantists came along years later and were amazed at the plants on this spit if rok in the middle of nowhere and the water. They spent 5years and millions of dollars to find out what miracle of nature and evolution put them ther. The logger was reading about this miracle one day and called the government boys and told them it was his wife what planted them there.....In Ketchikan they have a street there called Creek Street, all on stilts over the water, 20 or so buildings from the gold days and all for prostituts as they were not on ground and hence no laws. Now they are all shops etc. Everything in these towns were in good repair as the weather causes slow deterioration. Of course all the tourist shops. You can see some shots up and down the streets.

Next was Juneau, third largest city in Alaska covering some 3800 square miles and 30,000 people. A cool place but Mrs. Palin was not home. It is the state capital. it is also where we went up the extremely steep Tram to the top of a very high mountain. Replete with a bird sanctuary and restaurant and many more people looking for a tip. Also had a few seals playing around the boat, much safer than swimming with Shamus kin. Everything there wants to eat you.

Next we went to Skagway, population of 800, 2800 with a cruise ship in port. All the ports are up to the edge of town as the inland passage way and the Fijords are 1000 feet or more. It is built on a spit of flat land which had been carved out of the valley from the glacier further up the valley. Being created this way makes the ground unstable and the town is in a State Park which leads to the price of an 85 year old house, 600,000 dollars. no new homes can be started without a lot of red tape and geological surveys. One main street and the Red Onion saloon, famous for the ladies who worked there. It is home to some summer folk who leave after the last cruise ship and before the first freeze. Neat place to visit,

Then south to Victoria. What a beautiful place, and so colorful. One park covers 155 acres and the smallest one is 3 by 6 feey, there is a picture if it. No more building there on the island, 100 square feet costs you 600,000 dollars. We saw a retirement home(picture of a light brown building) where they pay 6000 bucks a month. There are either college students or retirees there now and the parliament buildings and over 1300 hanging pots of flowers, green and colorful.

We are now home and happy to see the dog, no hassles and she only wants to please you and be loved. Good to be home on the 100 degree heat,yechhhhh. It was nice to get away on our first real vacation since the I Do's. Our Father In Heaven has made us a very beauitiful world in which to live.

Here is the little lady standing and looking up Creel Street at the old houses of ill repute. The water looks roppled becuse thousands of Salmon are migrating up stream. There were many dead ones also which had a different odor about them.

these next two shots are of us on the balcony of our room and watching Seattle go by, boo hoo hoo hoo. please recycle everything and hike up our streets.
do I jump or stay with the boat, looks mighty cold.

I noticed in these next couple of pictures of dad that he likes to pose for pictures.

This is the biggest bald eagle in Ketchikan, carved by the local tribe. There are a lot of bald eagles around southeastern ciostline, but very hard to get close to them.

This is the old guy trying to decide whether or not to go in and get a drink of cola. This is the very famous attraction for the gold miners in the rush days of Juneau. Could not find Sherrie, did she go in and start to work??????

ATTENTION TO ALL!!!

YES there is going to be new posts soon. My father has been slacking and I am getting his blog up and going again. They just got back from their Alaskan Cruise and I am getting the pictures and stuff ready for it. Hold on to your seats people, this blog IS going to have a new post!!!!! I know, it is hard to maintain your enthusiasm.

Lyndsey

JUST HAD A GREAT WEEKEND

SHERRI AND I HAVE BEEN VERY BUSY GETTING EVERYTHING IN ORDER FOR OUR TRIP TO ALASKA. IT WILL BE THE FIRST REAL VACATION THAT WE HAVE TAKEN TOGETHER SINCE WE HAVE BEEN MARRIED. ONE OF THE ONLY DRAWBACKS IS THAT SHE WANTS ME TO FLY WITH HER IN A SMALL PONTOON PLANE OVER FOUR GLACIERS, YOU KNOW, ZOOMING UP AND DOWN AND ALL AROUND. I CANNOT HANDLE A ROLLER COASTER VERY WELL. SHE MUST REALLY WANT TO SEE IF THOSE BARF BAGS CAN REALLY HOLD LIQUID. OH WELL, ANYTHING FOR MY SWEETHEART. BRENT AND KAMI AND THE KIDS CAME DOWN FOR THREE DAYS AND DID WE HAVE A GREAT TIME WITH THE SWIMMING AND ALL THE GOOD FOOD. WORDS CANNOT TELL HOW WONDERFUL IT IS TO GET YOUR FAMILY TOGETHER AND ENJOY EACH OTHER AND THE SPIRIT IT BRINGS TO YOU. OUR ONLY WORRY IS BRIAN AND THE SCOWL HE HAS AND THE BULGING VEINS ON HIS FOREHEAD AS WE PLAY GAMES. WHAT A COMPETETIOR. I MUST SAY THATR THE GAME THE SAINT GEORGE ELLSWORTHS BROUGHT DOWN, L C R, LEFT CENTER RIGHT IS A VERY DIABOLICAL GAME. WE HAD SO MUCH FUN WITH IT. IT IS A NEW FAMILY FAVORITE, RIGHT UP THERE WITH 7-UP, MORMON BRIDGE, AND THE GREAT DALMUTI. I ESPECIALLY ENJOYED SWIMMING WITH THE KIDS UNTIL THE SUN BURNED ME TO A CRISP, BUT IT IS A DRY HEAT???????????ANYWAY WE HAD A GOOD TIME AND REALLY ENJOYED THEIR VISIT, AND THE EXCUSE TO EAT. WORDS CANNOT EXPRESS OR EXPLAIN HOW MUCH I LOVE MY FAMILY. I HAVE SO MANY SHORTCOMINGS AND WEAKNESSES AND AM SO VERY SURE THAT I HAVE FAILED THEM ALL AT SOME TIME, BUT I WANT THEM ALL TO KNOW THAT I CHERISH THEIR LIVES AND WANT THE BEST FOR THEM ALL. I DO NOT HAVE MUCH IN THIS WORLD BUT I DO HAVE A TESTIMONY OF THE GOSPEL. IT HAS BROUGHT ME AND MY FAMILY SO MUCH JOY AND BUOYED ME UP IN THE DEEPEST AND MOST SORROWFUL TIMES. IT GAVE ME A BASOS TO BUILD MY FAITH AND HOPE FOR THE FUTURE. THERE WERE TIMES THAT I THOUGHT MY FATHER WAS NOT AWARE OF ME AND MY FAMILY, BUT I SAW SO MANY THINGS HAPPEN TO US TO BRING US THE PEACE OF THE GOSPEL AND THE HOPE FOR THE FUTURE, AND THE BURNING KNOWLEDGE THAT EVERYTHING HAS ITS SEASON AND TIME. OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN DOES KNOW THAT WE ARE HERE AND HE IS AWARE OF EVERYTHING THAT WE GO THROUGH, AND ASKS NO MORE OF US THAN HE OR OUR SAVIOR HAVE NOT GONE THROUGH OR EXPERIENCED. TO THIS END I KNOW THAT THE GOSPEL IS TRUE AND THE ETERNAL TRUTHS IN IT ARE FOR US ALL, IT IS UP[ TO US TO BE OUR OWN ADVOCATES FOR THE ETERNAL KINGDOMS, MAY WE ALL BE THERE TOGETHER IS MY PRAYER, AMEN.

NEED TO ADD THIS. MY DEAR LITTLE LADY HAS HAD ME AT THE MALL GETTING STEPHENIE MEYERS BOOKS ABOUT VAMPIRES, SUPPOSED TO BE SOOOO GOOOD. SHE IS LDS YOU KNOW, MAYBE THEY WILL BE IN THE SPIRIT WORLD. MAN ARE WE SO HOT DOWN HERE. THE CLOUDS ARE GATHERING OVER THE RIM EVERY NIGHT AND CREATING AOUR BEAUTIFUL MONSOON WEATHER AND ALL. BRENT REMEMBERS WHAT IS IS ALL ABOUT. STAY WHERE YOU ARE AT SON, MUSH COOLER THERE. MAKES YOU GLAD TO BE ALIVE WHEN YOU WALK OUTSIDE IN THE MORNING AND IT IS 90 DEGREES AND VERY MUGGY. JOLYNN HAS FLOWN OUT TO OREGON AND THE NIKE FACTORY, BRIAN FLIES OUT THURSDAY, I WILL TAKE HIM AT 5 IN THE MORNING. LOVE YOU ALL AND HOPE TO HEAR FROM YOU SOON. TRIED TO CONTACT EDWIN BUT HE HAS TO INVITE YOU TO HIS BLOG, AREN'T WE IMPORTANT.

ALMOST FORGOT THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF ALL THIS, THE TWO NEW GRANDCHILDREN, GAVIN AND SAVANNAH, THEY ARE SO GOOD LOOKING AND CUTE. WE HAD A GREAT TIME AT THE TEMPLE THERE IN ST. GEORGE, WHAT A COOL PLACE AND SO HISTORIC, THE FIRST TEMPLE DEDICATED AND ALL.

THIS IS US AT KAYDEES GRADUATION. VERY DARK AND VERY FAR AWAY. SHE IS ON THE RIGHT SIDE, THE ONE WITH THE LONG DARK HAIR. WE WERE VERY PROUD AND HAPPY THAT SHE MADE IT WITH ONE TRY. HA HA HA!
UNDER THREEAT OF MY LIFE AND LIMBS HERE THE PICTURE OF THE GREAT WHITE HUNTER. PRE-HONEYMOON. MAN WHAT A BOD, JUST FOR KAMI TO HAVE AND TO HOLD. YOU CAN SEE WHY I AM SO PROUD OF MY BOY.
YOU NOTICE THAT I AM LOOKING TO THE SKY FOR THE LIGHTENING, PHEW, IT NEVER CAME AND HE WAS IN THE CLEAR. THANK YOU KAMI, HE IS NOW ALL YOURS, BAD SPORTS PICKS AND ALL.
HER ARE THE CELESTIAL WOMEN, ARE THEY NOT BEAUTIFUL AND ALL. NOTE KAMIS PHOTOGRAPHER IN THE FRONT OF MY LENS, CUTE SPIKED HAIR AND ALL.
THIS IS THE BULL PEN, BECAUSE OF ALL THE TESTERONE ABOUNDING. NOTICE BRYAN MORTENSEN, WHERE AM I? JERRY SAYS LET ME SIT DOWN, ME, JUST RELIEF.

Whiteheads Lament

Well better late than never. Having caught slop from everyone to include Kami thru the figurehead Brent, hewre wqe go. What a marvelous time we had at the wedding. So many new friends and family too, and to top it all off a new daughter. What a great experiencce to have witnessed the sealing of two of Gods children. The St. George Temple was so cool, all the history. The House of the Lord is truly a marvelous place to be. It was doubly sweet to have two daughters and my sife see Susan in the sealing room with us, man the Gospel is so true. No one can deny the truth of it all. The kids had such a beautiful ceremony and a neat reception among the red cliffs of St. George. I have fallen in love with the place and could live there in a heart beat, but the old ball and chain says not now, sigh. Kami has such a wonderful family who did show us a very good time and treated us like family and old friends,[old part was for Sherri.] The drive to there from Phoenix is the absolute pitsamundo. Some of the ugliest desert known to man, then you hit the canyon and voila, beauty. We have missed Brent since he has moved there to be with his beautiful bride, good move son, but we know he is with someone who can keep tabs on him,yesss///////??????? We are all sweltering in the 110 plus degree heat, but as they say it is a dry heat, even worse. Whoever said that had his head elswhere if you get my drift. Sherri and I are getting busy preparing for our trip to Alaska in September, our first real trip since we have been married. We are heading to Laughlin for my 58th birthday on the 12th. What an old FART. We just got back from Bryan and Lyndseys house where we all got together for Ella and Tysons birthdays and a few rousing card games and liars dice, bet Kami is good at that game? HUH Well had better sign off for now, have to give sharing time tomorrow and need to polish it up, love the primary kids. Sherri sends her love, as this blog is my job.

The pictures are of our Memorial weekend. We had a ball barbecuing and lieing and just visiting with all the kids. Kaydee is graduating this week, we had Jasons and Jewrrys birthday and cake. Maybe you can see the green icing on mine and Bryan Mortensens mouth. Also my Lizzie dog got one of the kids dropped plates and ate it up and had a very green muzzle. The weather was so good, temps in the low 80s with a breeze. We had almost an inch of rain on Friday and Saturday and the lowest temps for the end of May in many years.Guess I am truly getting old, as I do not like the heat as much anymore. But I guess I am not as old as Dean, man that dude is old. We are getting ready to go to Brents and Kamis wedding in three weeks. Just hope Brent makes it before Kam finds out about the real him. Sniveling little manipulator, but I love and miss him so much, but am so happy for the beautiful woman and her two children that the Lord led him too. I have not seen him so happy in many a year, and he truly deserves her love and family for the way he acquitted himself in his trials. The Lord blesses those that follow his commandments and try to redeem his children. Brian and Jolynn are going to Hawaii this week and will be back for the wedding. We look forward to seeing whoever can make it. We also look forward to meeting Kamis family and friends. They have to be good people to have such a wonderful daughter and two fione grandchildren. We have replaced our front door and are waiting to paint the outside and then start on the inside one room at a time. My work is going great, and have a wide variety of patients, one is 650 lbs, one is 550 bs, one is 430 lbs, needless to say, we take the Bariatric patients. Hope the blog is alright, I am still learning. We love you all.