“Man is not a farmer, or a professor, or an engineer, but he is all. Man is priest, and scholar, and statesman, and producer, and soldier. In the divided or social state, these functions are parceled out to individuals, each of whom aims to do his stint of the joint work, whilst each other performs his…The state of society is one in which the members have suffered amputation from the trunk, and strut about so many walking monsters — a good finger, a neck, a stomach, an elbow, but never a man.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson

Merry Christmas

*Joy to the World*

 

Looking Preppy in our new P.J.'s.

Simon, the para-cat. He likes to perch on Aubree's shoulder.

It's SNOW-TIME!!

**Season’s Greetings Family and Friends**

The Williams Family had a happy year in 2009. We enjoyed hiking in many places of South Central Utah, had a bountiful garden, went on many bike rides together, and overall had a jolly good time as a family.

Our little-man Brandt turned eight years old and was baptized in May. He is still very active and plays all sports, loves building Lego ships, has the “Lord of the Rings” movies memorized and keeps us all entertained with his funny musings. He is a Star Wars expert and also earned his orange belt in karate, so we call him our mini-lethal weapon.

Raina is 11 and counting the days until she turns 12 in order for her to enter the Young Women’s program. She is taking piano lessons from a Suzuki instructor and her skills have improved markedly over the past year. She loves singing, music, reading, writing poetry, and is an aficionado of fashion---as much as she can be at a baby-sitting earners wage however.

Fourteen year old Aubree is eagerly anticipating getting her learner’s permit this coming summer. (Yikes!) She has become an expert at baking and we enjoy her culinary skills. She delights us with yummy bread, cookies, pretzels, pies, and scrumptious dinners. I have basically retired from the kitchen, except acting as the scullery maid at times. When Aubree is not baking, she is reading, working on art projects, or spending time with her goat-Nellie, cat-Simon, dog-Ramadi, or pet chickens. She is still our nature girl and is always barefoot.

Talon finally received his driver’s license after months of procrastination, due to the fact that he was required to finish up his Eagle Scout before we allowed him to be an official motor-vehicle-operator. (For any other cruel and unusual parenting techniques, just email me and I’ll send you my list.) He participated in the cross-country team and had some awesome races, plus he advanced to a purple belt in karate…so we have another lethal weapon in the family. Talon is tall, handsome, and receives many compliments on his adorable dimples…from old-ladies and little girls, but never-the-less, a compliment is a compliment.

Chad had another awesome marathon…his third year in a row. He also had time to build a patio in our backyard, become a Major in the Army National Guard, and traveled to Germany this summer.

While Chad was in Germany, I travelled to Gunnison. Not for any reason, but just to say that I got out of Sevier County for a little while. But other than my major travels, I have been busy with mentoring children’s clubs, reading great literature, gardening, and having fun with my new hobby of raising worms. It true… I’m now a vermiculture expert. Red worms do wonders for garden soil and I expect my produce production to go so high that I will be canning food for weeks on end.

Warmest wishes to you all! We send you our love during this holiday season and throughout the New Year.

still, still, still

Visiting Rudolf

Winter Wonderland up in Monroe Canyon. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!!

Celebrating Hannakah

 We love to learn about different cultures, traditions, and countries. This year we celebrated Hannakah~"Festival of Lights" which commemorates the Jewish triumph over Greek persecution in 167 B.C. We played the driedel game and lighted our candles. Mazel Tov!

Festive Monroe City

"Have I been a good boy?...Heck, Yes!", says Brandt in answer to Santa's inquisition.

Just hear those Sleigh-Bells ringing as we trot down the street for a wagon ride. Giddy-up!

Talon in a live nativity. It was precious to see him dressed up as a wise-man.

Red-Leg Bash

What is in this punch???

true love

Foreigners from another country.

extreme karaoke

                                               Singing to "Rockin' Around the Grog Bowl"

We love art museums!!!( but they frighten Talon)

The Pilgrims were so dang tough. Wow, I couldn't endure the miserable things they went through like being "quissy" (sea-sick) for months, not being able to bathe or launder clothing, and then when you finally make it to the New World, having to remain on the Mayflower for an additional endurance test. Thank goodness Squanto came along eventually. Boy the choice

 between starving and eating eels.....that's a toughy.

We also love going to play's like MidSummer's Night Dream. (They are a choice napping opportunity for Chad.) Shakespeare is the BOMB! I happen to love his tragedies the best however. All of the life altering decisions, angst, moral questions....which all end up with blood shed, mayhem, and death all around. You know---think of Hamlet, Othello, Macbeth---Everyone dies and it's good ol' gory fun, macabre entertainment.

(Does that say something about my personality? Hmmmmmm.....)

cliffhangers

There are lots of cool places to visit in Utah if you are willing to travel to the middle of no-where....but we live in the middle of no-where so it's pretty much like home wherever we go.

halloween

Arwen the Elf came to visit on Halloween. She freaked me out with her wicked awesome magic skills.

Frodo Baggins...hold onto the ring...it will give you power to return...with lots and lots of chocolate.

Slot canyons