Christmas Card

We decided this year we would send out a Christmas card,

we haven't for the past two years.  Too busy!  We are busy this year

too, but we feel like we can at least send out a card.

I had an idea for the card and so we went for it, we dressed up

and had Lorna snap a few pictures of us at the church.

Chris was setting up the camera on this shot.

Then we took a couple, one with our faces covered,

and one without.

We hope that you will enjoy them.

The Creche

Third and final trip to the Sherwood Park creche display.

This year I was more intrigued by the mangers than the actual nativities.

I think every nativity needs a good manger.

This crystal one was exquisite.

I enjoyed this one carved out of wood.

The details on this unique one was fascinating,

just look at the three wise men.

This snowman one is sweet, I particularly love the angel and manger.

See, I told you.

And of course, there is nothing more precious than a "Precious Moment"

nativity complete with little bluebirds. 

This one represents the first nations of Canada.

The ones that include the entire village, really paints a vivid picture

of what it was like two thousand years ago.

Look at the detail with this one.

And this nativity is set up like a Christmas tree shape.

Adorable,

just plain weird,

and frosty.

I loved this beautiful quilted wall hanging, make a note to self

to work on something like this when I get home.

I've picked up a cute Canadian nativity to bring home, that 

makes a total of five nativities that we have, just up here, with us.

Badminton Anyone?

We drove up to St. Albert to meet and interview the

new elder that arrived a day late.

While we were there, we decided to check out the 

"world's largest" badminton racket, it was on our list.

A little disappointing, granted it might be the largest,

but it wasn't very impressive.  And it was dark, so the

picture wasn't great, but we took one anyway.

Check off St. Albert.

Transfer Meeting

This is where we keep all of the new missionaries luggage, 

until after transfer meeting, 

it takes up one entire classroom at the stake center.

That's a lot of luggage.

Gorgeous Moon!

We were driving home from the stake center, with our

new missionaries, when I spotted this gorgeous full moon.

These pictures do not do justice to the intensity of it.

It was breathtaking, to say the least.

New Group!

This is going to be interesting day.  First the flight was delayed 

by two hours, and this is bad why?  Well on many levels, first

it puts everyone and everything on hold, lunch, office missionaries,

assistants with the trailer.  Second, it puts us really behind, eating 

lunch, by the time we eat it's really close to dinner, interviews all get

pushed back, it takes President longer to get through with all the new 

missionaries and start the fireside, pushes all of our bedtimes back.  

So we get to the airport and sure enough what was supposed to be

a 11:14 AM arrival time has turned into a 12:45 PM arrival.

But, good news, they have landed and they are in customs.

A cute little couple that works in the Edmonton temple flew in 

with them, they were in the states visiting their children.  They

came out and told us that they were all safe and sound and that

they would be out shortly.  Well, we know by now that "shortly"

never happens.  They came out around 1:30,  I keep track.

Then, we found out last night that there would only be 14

instead of 15, one elder was being held at the MTC because

of a tooth ache.  So he would be sent out "shortly".

And this is our fine new group a couple of very tall elders and one cute

short sister.  I get these pictures from a wonderful panoramic function on my camera.

This is the procession of missionaries and their many pieces of luggage, heading towards the van.

Move em on, head em out!  

Loaded in, I hope we didn't forget anything.

  We are off to the stake center.

(the last three transfers, we've had to take the new missionaries

to the stake center, instead of the office, 

there is just no room for all of them)

Lunch was set up and ready when we got there.  Because of

the flight delay, we were able to drop the food off at the

stake center on our way to the airport.

Good old Canadian flavored chips, ketchup and all dressed.

I made lots of cookies, pumpkin chocolate chip, rolo chocolate

and peanut butter blossoms.  All very tasty.

After we fed them and got all of their paper work taken care of, 

we welcomed them to the mission home.

One of the elders came out with this treasured one dollar bill,

I've never seen one of these before.  It's a rare item indeed.

Someone back home gave it to him and told him to keep it in his

wallet for luck.  This has to be worth something.

Black Friday?

Only in Canada!

Need I say more?