Christmas Pics

If you didn't see Joy's post below, then go read it!

And here are some more pictures of our great Christmas extravaganza!

A little contest for you...

Which is the better looking dump truck cake? I know, it is a tough choice!

Thief

Pete and I took peggy to San Fransisco. She was very well behaved. I took her shopping in Chinatown and she found this wonderful suitcase! Little pink stars all over-totally her! We tried to bargain with the chinese shop lady, but she wouldn't come down on price!
So what does peggy do? She just walks away with it!
Hurry, Peggy! Run! Thief!

The little brown germ

Our darling little Lad
not feeling well,
His bum did burn
from a diarrhea germ.

He gave to another
not by his will.
and cousin did his
pants and undies fill.

Grandma got it and
tried not to spread it
This germ is not fun
It causes a brown run.

Grandma went to work
and tried to wash often
But a lady that works there
came down with her share.

This little germ is fast and very
social. It was determined to
be everywhere
-so when we meet again
we'll bring our own bottle of desitin
Sorry, couldn't resist.
Hope your all having a great week. The
germ dosen't last long. Mom

Happy Birthday Pete!

Joy said she only had a couple of pictures of you so we will share some more. This is the one I have on my screen saver.

Thank you for joining our family. Thank you for all you do for Wendy!

Happy Birthday Pete!

I am sorry... this is literally one of only two photos that we have of you. It is adorable though you have to admit. Hope you have a GREAT birthday! We are so glad that your married our sister and joined the family. You make her so happy which of course makes us happy. That is only one of the reasons that we like you. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Torture

Here is all of the information extracted at the hands of the torturer (click photo for full size).
Stars of the show, these two won the spirit stick:



(Sorry Kristyn, I don't have a rotate feature my software; let me know if you want the RAW and I can email it).
Fun to drive:
More practical:
Perfect photo until I ran in front of Wendy after pressing the button. 2 milliseconds later it all fell apart- so here is history as it happened...


(More photos to come when I get a sec to process... If anyone wants the RAW files to play with and process differently, please let me know).

Merry Christmas from our family to Yours!

We rented this cabin outside the east entrance to Zion Park.

Joy & Jason Payne with

Luke, Allie, & Wesley

This is looking from the Living/Great Room to the upstairs. There were three bedrooms and a bunk room upstairs with three bathrooms, and a master bedroom and two baths on the main floor. Wesley, Allie, Jason, & Luke welcoming all upstairs.

This is the Living Room/Great Room Christmas morning.
And as the fun was beginning.

This is all of us after Church. Left to Right, Back Row: Wendy (without Pete), Kristyn (holding Bennett) and Paul, Jason & Joy, Thacker, Wesley, Peter, Luke, McKay, & Samuel; Middle Row, starting behind Marlene: Hailey, Allie, Molly & Vic, Chris & Jenny; Front Row: Peggy, Marlene & Le, Grant, & Jack.

Well, that's all! We had a great time together!

(Sorry we missed you Pete.)

Ever Since I discovered online photo editing by picnik.com it's known I can't be trusted with this software. I think Lodewijk would be to embarressed if he sees this.

Oh well, I just wanted to post this to wish you a very happy Christmas and all the best for 2010!

The original picture was actually taken on a beach in Portugal. It's one of our favourite holiday countries and we are thinking about setting up a business there, like a b&b. Unfortunately we couldnt have picked a worse time for such a thing, so it will remain a dream for a while.

Anyway, are you all coming up to Utah for Christmas? That would be so great!

As you might know we have to Christmas days here, which is very practical if you have inlaws! But the first day some friends are coming over for dinner. The second day is divided between both our families. Either way I'm looking forward to it!

I do hope you have a great time and hope to see some pictures here after!

Love always, Mirjam

By the way, Peggy congrats on the job, You go girl!

Finally!!!

Its a Christmas Miracle ya'all! I have been offered and accepted a job at a small law firm in SLC. Well Sandy. Its just a small firm. I'll be doing some office/administrative/paralegal work. I start tomorrow. So thank you to all who have been praying for me these last few months. I surely have felt it and appreciate it. Seeya soon. Last one there is a rotten egg!

The Jacksonians Blog

Have you seen Paul and Kristyn's blog lately? I had to laugh because it took me back to a day many years ago that sent Jason and I rolling with laughter. Just wanted to share. Thanks for joining me on the trip down memory lane!

A Progressive Happy Birthday Story

By Vic, Molly and Peter. And by Jenny, Chris and "the gang". Also by Joy, Jason and kids. And by Wendy & Pete. Also by Paul, Kristyn and the boys. And last but not least... Peggy.


Super Samson and the Birthday Surprise


Mild mannered Sam, the alter ego of Super Samson, relaxed on the couch anticipating his birthday cake--little did he suspect the surprises his super friends held in store.
Suddenly, Sam's super sensitive hearing honed in on the welcomed noise of the bakery truck quickly approaching his super house.
Not only could he hear the truck, he could super-sam-smell-it. Mmm....Sumptuous sultry [white] chocolate satin surprise.

Just before the truck turned into his neighborhood, his nemesis nephew Grant
threw a box of nails under the truck to keep all the scrumptious goodies for himself.
The truck careened out of control and headed for a group of kids crossing the street. The group just happen to be Jack, Allie, Thacker, Peter and all their siblings walking to the park. Jack and the others heard the truck coming but it was too late to move this caravan of cousins in time.

Super Samson could here the children screaming in panic. He sprang into action! Just before the bakery truck was about to smoosh the little ones into strawberry creme filling, Super Samson jumped in front of the truck and stopped it dead in it's tracks.
Nemesis Nephew Grant (or the NNG) was NOT happy! This was not going to be the end of his devious plan to intercept his sweet reward.

All the nieces and nephews cheered for Super Sam! He was their favorite super hero! Except for Grant- his dastardly plan was ruined! Super Sam knew just what to do! He used his super power of tickling to make Nemesis Nephew Grant laugh!
He laughed so hard his sides hurt! He laughed so hard his eyes watered! He laughed so hard, everyone laughed too! No one was mad at Nemesis Nephew Grant anymore cause they were all too happy!

But Sam was so caught up in the excitement that he almost forgot it was his birthday. There were only a few minutes left before his birthday came to an end and he still didn't have a cake with sparkly candles on top. How could he reach his full super strength without his super birthday cake? He knew he needed that cake, and pronto! He walked over to the mangled truck, and hoping to find a salvaged piece of his scrumptious cake, he opened the door and ...


And there it was. Tipped over on its side, but still intact, was the most decadent 23 1/2 tiered cake.
The cake would go down in history as the biggest and best cake the world had ever seen. Past, present, and future. Then suddenly something jumped out from behind the cake! It was all of Super Sams close friends and family. "Surprise!!!!" They all yelled.
Sam realized it had all been planned! NNG was in on the surprise! Sam was so happy to see all the people he loved there for him! They all proceeded to eat the cake with their hands (cause its more fun that way) and dance and sing long into the night.

Sam would remember it as the best birthday he ever had.

THE END

My pride and JOY

Hey, couldn't get on yesterday, but I wanted to wish Joy a happy birthday, too!
a very intelligent, thoughtful, fun and playful and kind sister.

Happy Birthday Sister

My favorite memory of Joy is when we created the J/P quadrathalon when she was staying with us one summer. We made shirts and mapped out the course. It was a lot of fun, and I still remember how much fun it was to spend so much time with her. That's probably my favorite memory of Joy. Happy Birthday!