08 December 2008
05 December 2008
Long time no see!
Our lives have been all but calm, but I'm sure not any less than any of yours. We made it to the end of the last week before the last week of school, which seems to bring way more stress than the thought of finals week. So much to do, and so little time! But we did find a few minutes amidst the chaos to attend our ward Christmas party, even taking Michelle and the kids along (Bryce was in Vernal all week). Prior to the party we had a chance to take these lovely pictures, and we thought you would like another peak at the ever-getting-bigger Julia :)
Jodi is getting more and more excited for Christmas. I don't know if that is because it is Christmas, because she gets to drive 3000 miles, doesn't have to work, or because she gets to spend time with all of you. Take your pick. We are gearing up, and leaving just as soon as I finish my first semester of Flagship courses with a final presentation that I have been researching all semester and frantically putting together the last two weeks. I have learned a lot of lessons to benefit me next semester, which is good because I will be increasing my school load from 15 credits (which seemed to fill my plate plenty) to 18 credits. Perhaps it wouldn't be so bad, except that I have seven additional hours every week meeting one-on-one with various tutors and teachers. And then there is my beloved job at the MTC. Another 20+ hours. "Welcome to adulthood/real life", eh Dad? Love you all! So excited to see you in a few weeks!
I FOUND IT FOR YOU! Photo Friday
Already it's Friday again. The weeks zoom by. Thank goodness we have lots to do to keep the weeks from dragging. We are heading to Chicago in an hour so we can attend April's baptism, yeah!
Getting there shouldn't be an issue, but coming home.....depends on Chicago weather tomorrow.
We have our tree up and have pretty much finished our Christmas decorating. Our home looks nice. And the extra decorating has made it feel more like home to me. We have an artificial tree this year for the first time in our married lives. I tell you, I think it is wonderful. Snap it together and plug it in, add our special decorations and wah..lah...instant Christmas. And, we don't have to worry about watering it.
Marquie downloaded her camera yesterday, so I should be able to find some fun pictures. It will be a surprise!
04 December 2008
Hello
Took me long enough, I know. I am feeling pretty good. I went to the doctor on Tuesday and he seemed impressed. He said the pathology report confirmed what Joe and I told him, the kidney was a piece of crap! I am still tired and not exactly running a marathon, but in time.... I am super excited for the reunion and am hoping it will me warmer there. We have a whopping high of 20 today. It is currently 10 degrees, but it says it feels like -2. Thank heavens for heaters. Our Young Women in Excellence was canceled last night due to snow. It didn't need to be, the roads were fine. Now we have to try to reschedule it in the next two weeks. Uh huh.... I sent all the treats I made to work with Joe so I wouldn't eat them. Yeah me! Except the bread, I froze that. I'm off to the store to pick up cake mixes for a giant baptism cake! Two more days. Yesterday was supposed to be April's first Activity Days. She was pretty bummed. I'm kinda starting to feel old. Could be worse, my granddaughter could be old enough to be baptized.
He He! Love you all. BLOG!! I almost forgot... We made service advent calendars for F.H.E. this week. I just made them out of paper. Each day, you check your calendar and do a secret service for the person listed. It has been really fun and I think it is a good way to keep the Christmas spirit. O.K., that's it. Bye!
He He! Love you all. BLOG!! I almost forgot... We made service advent calendars for F.H.E. this week. I just made them out of paper. Each day, you check your calendar and do a secret service for the person listed. It has been really fun and I think it is a good way to keep the Christmas spirit. O.K., that's it. Bye!
28 November 2008
Christmas Exchange
As a disclaimer, I used only the immediate Hutchings names to simplify this little chart considerably. We love you all unconditionally. We are doing single exchange from one family to another, with no separate system for the children. How you choose to do that is up to you—single family gift, individual gifts for all, mostly adult gift—whatever. Your business, and we'll never spill the love.
2008
James➙Michelle
Heather➙James
Michelle➙Justin
Justin➙Marquie
Marquie➙Heather
We will then RESET to the following (no complaining. EVER. You'll thank me later.) Each year, you'll move up the birth chain, so everyone will move from Marquie to Justin to Michelle to Heather to James to Marquie, all starting in a different place. Clean. Simple. Effective. Here's the breakdown, in case my verbosity spawned incertitude:
2009
James➙Justin
Heather➙Marquie
Michelle➙James
Justin➙Heather
Marquie➙Michelle
2010
James➙Michelle
Heather➙Justin
Michelle➙Marquie
Justin➙James
Marquie➙Heather
2011
James➙Heather
Heather➙Michelle
Michelle➙Justin
Justin➙Marquie
Marquie➙James
At this point, the natural rotation would leave us all gifting ourselves this year, so it will cycle up an extra person this year for a four year total rotation.
2012
James➙Marquie
Heather➙James
Michelle➙Heather
Justin➙Michelle
Marquie➙Justin
Then we start over . . .
2013
James➙Justin
Heather➙Marquie
Michelle➙James
Justin➙Heather
Marquie➙Michelle
etc.
Any questions?
27 November 2008
Traditions
OK, I am still browsing pictures being nostalgic. I have been filled with joy as many memories from over the years have
been rekindled. Here is one that spans four generations. It started with my grandpa Palmer. I was told that it came about in the spring when the family was working in the fields and grandma Palmer would bring the younger children and
lunch to the fields for those working there. To get out of the wind they would go into the canal, which did not have water flowing yet, and have their lunch. A fire was built and hot dogs were roasted.
Throughout my growing up years this tradition was kept alive. I tried to find picture of those times but must not have them scanned yet. I have good memories of this tradition.
I am very grateful we took the opportunity to share that tradition with you, our children. You see, with all of the homes and subdivisions, the canal is never without water as it is the drainage for the area. Perhaps there could be a time you could pass on to the next generation if you could find a time when the canal did not have water in it. Or, when you won't get in trouble for having a fire!
been rekindled. Here is one that spans four generations. It started with my grandpa Palmer. I was told that it came about in the spring when the family was working in the fields and grandma Palmer would bring the younger children and
lunch to the fields for those working there. To get out of the wind they would go into the canal, which did not have water flowing yet, and have their lunch. A fire was built and hot dogs were roasted. 
Throughout my growing up years this tradition was kept alive. I tried to find picture of those times but must not have them scanned yet. I have good memories of this tradition.
I am very grateful we took the opportunity to share that tradition with you, our children. You see, with all of the homes and subdivisions, the canal is never without water as it is the drainage for the area. Perhaps there could be a time you could pass on to the next generation if you could find a time when the canal did not have water in it. Or, when you won't get in trouble for having a fire!
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