Wow! 27 years. Happy Birthday Nick. How come I still look 29??

Happy Birthday, Nick!

Feliz Cumpleanos, sobrino...have a snammy day!

Oh I forgot...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO NICK!

Temple Names

If anyone is going to the temple and wants family names, let me know. I have one male that needs Initiatory and Endowment...and 2 sisters, Edith and Doris Bennett, needing Initiatory and Endowments. Let me know and I can get these off to you.
The Minnich's are off to Michigan Tuesday to spend a few days with Charlene on Thanksgiving. So we wish everyone a beautiful Thanksgiving Day. (Don't worry we'll be back on Friday to shop and the weekend to visit Larkin and Allyson.)
Love to all.
Suzanne

Thank You Thank You!

I just wanted to put up a quick post to Thank our whole family for always supporting us in all of our endeavors (Mom & Dad, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, everyone you guys are the best).

I wanted to Thank James for being pretty much the most supportive amazing husband to a very stubborn, lazy, emotional wife :) Starting school again has been a gigantic adjustment, often times too much for me to bare. But with James at my side and my whole family's support, I know and I can do this.

And last but NOT least Tony & Greta. As you all know, there were times that Tony & I didn't always get along (gasp!). But ever since we moved to Columbus, they scooped us right up and have made sure we've been fed and a warm place to hangout. So thanks to them, my husband has a home cooked meal almost every night of the week.

Heavenly Father sure knew what he was doing when he put us all together, didn't he?

I love you guys!

Our own Jackie Hurt on TV News

Don't know if everyone got to see our own Jackie on the TV news or not ... but here it is for all to enjoy!

Priesthood Preview

We attended our Stake's Priesthood Preview for Sam last night. There were 10 boys and parent's from the stake receiving instructions from the Stake leadership about the priesthood they are to receive in the next year. They instructed the boys what they and we as parents have to do to help them receive the priesthood and all responsibilities entail. All the speakers spoke on preparing for a mission. And it hit me. hard, both of my boys are to serve missions. My eyes filled with tears. I am so grateful for Sam. In just 6 months he will be able to serve me the Sacrament. Then all the ordinances of the Priesthood will follow in years after that. I am grateful for the example Matt sets for Sam in practicing his priesthood. That led me to think, I am grateful for his uncles and cousins all he has seen using their priesthood in one way or another. I want you to know he notices you all and I know is well prepared in fulfilling his responsibilities.

While the Cat is Away...

...the mice play. Tony is traveling for work this week. He is currently a popsicle in the upper border between Maine and Canada securing our borders. Anywho, Abuelita (my hero) is here spending the week with us. Currently, Ethan is emptying all my cabinets (to each his own) and the others are involved in a heated game of Boom Blox on the Wii. That's right! Abuelita is playing the Wii! I love her more than words. What am I doing? Scrambling to finish as many projects as possible while there is someone to entertain my kids.

See you next week! Can you believe Turkey Day is right around the corner? YIPEE!!!!

Ricelandia Calendar Dates

I would like to get our Ricelandia Calendar Dates and events listed for end of 2008 and all of 2009( updated as added). Shoot me an email of your family dates, This can be anything on your family calendar for 2009. Birthdays, anniversaries, Family parties/ get togethers etc.

I am also sending out invitations to use Google Calendars and sharing the Ricelandia calendar with you. This will allow you to update the calendar on your own. You will receive an emailed invitation.

Matt
mervson@gmail.com

Jones family news update.
Because Nick won't tell you, I will. He has been offered an internship at Rock Capital Sound, Corp. (www.rcscorp.cc). The company and responsibilities are in direct line with his desired field, live venue sound. This is great news as an internship is required for his program and RCS searched him out. It's a step toward fulfilling a passion he's had for years. Congrats Nick and Sarah!

A time of gratitude

Greetings, Ricelandia! Better late than never!

In response to Grandma's instructions we're going to steal the spotlight and share our list of the little things in life that we're grateful for.

Sarah: Holiday Wreaths - The smell of rain - TV shows on DVD - Indoor Pluming - Warm, Sunny Days - Cherry cordial ice cream - Blankets - Our functional cars - When my morning alarm DOESN'T go off (Cell phone AND/OR Mitchell)

Nick: Free Refills - Ample access to hot water- Ctrl/Apple + S - Campfires - Shared Knowledge - The Pacific Northwest - All 5 senses functioning properly - Jam Bands - Days that peak at 60 degrees - Fast drying ink -

Mitchell: BOTTLES! - Those puffy food thingys mommy gives me - the corner of my house daddy doesn't want me to get into - Morning hair - Remote controls - Bath time - Miss Marimar from daycare - Liz from daycare - Faith from daycare - Megan from daycare - Angie from daycare - Molly from daycare - The look on mommy's face when daddy hangs me upsidedown by my ankles - Gushing spouts of water:

A Time for Giving Thanks

It's that wonderful time of year! Wouldn't it be fun to hear a note of thanks for something or someone in your life from everyone? Now I know it's not for me to put rules on gratitude expression, but this comes with a challenge... We all know how grateful we are for our families, for each other, and loving parents, so the challenge is to share something that is not family related!
(I love my family, ooppps, that slipped) Okay, I'll start. I'm grateful my husband researched and purchased a hearing aid for me. Now that's love, or he was tired of repeating himself.
Who's next...

Imagine this...

Imagine Mom...one hand on her hip, the other with her finger waving in the air, and the annoyed look she would get in her eye..."If I get one more political phone call..."
Now I understand~

Our Little Goblins

Sarah and Nick write:
Greetings from Great Wolf Lodge!

All is well here in Sandusky. We've been busy swimming, splashing, napping, eating. It took some time but Mitchell warmed up to the water. We hypothesize that since the Water park is in a big, noisy room it might have been too much for him at first. So we took him for a few laps around the lazy river and he was alright after that - daddy knows best...of course. This is best supported by the included pictures. We were going to put them up on ricelandia but our invitation to join the blog has expired. Emailing pictures to grandma is the next best thing. We also have a few short video's shot from the camera. Hope all is well. Talk soon.
Love, us