Holy Collection!

Last night we attended a nativity display at a stake center (LDS Church) in Arlington—VERY impressive. There were easily more than 1,000 different "settings" as most of the rooms were completely packed. (I'm talking displays on tables, floors, and shelving in most of the rooms) It was difficult to get good shots, or even SEE some of the nativities, but here are a few that turned out:

Some collections included pieces from all over the world. Sadly, many were not labeled. So I'm unsure of origins and materials on many of them.

Lladro? Not sure . . .

Above—The plaque reads: This display is the Vatican Authorized Nativity. The figures depicted are replicas of characters from Vatican paintings or sculptures and have been faithfully reproduced by artisans commissioned by the Franklin Mint. (Click on image to view larger).

Below: One of the packed rooms.

Warning—I am about to digress. Below: Just so you know, ALL nativities were accepted . . . even Star Wars, or is that a planet episode from Star Trek?

I don't mean to poke fun, well, maybe just a little. But some of the decorating was a little um . . .

(Jamie—sister in-law and scary shepherd.)

So which one is your favorite?

Thanksgiving

We hope you all had a good Thanksgiving with tons of yummy food! Over the weekend we watched football, ate, watched football, ate, played football, ate. Traveled. Went to the temple. Ate. Traveled. Went to a baptism, ate, went antique shopping and window shopping. Traveled. Went antique shopping. Traveled. When we finally arrived back in Texas our bums were a few inches flatter, our tummys a few pounds heavier, and we are now a few degrees happier.

Below: Thanksgiving Day in Kansas

Friday we went to the temple in Winter Quarters Nebraska, went through a session and then attended Jamie and Aaron's sealing! Yay! What a wonderful day! I'm sure they'll write more about it and have some new photos on their blog soon! After all that we met with more family and had another huge feast!

Below: Adam's Mom grew up on a farm in Nebraska. Here are some random photos taken while exploring.


Below: Some of us up in the barn. Wish my camera had been on the right settings for this . . . sorry it's blurry! From left to right: Laurel (Adam's sister), Jordan (Adam's youngest brother), Korina (an in-law like me), Adam, Nathan (Adam's younger brother married to Korina).

Below: The barn.

That's it! Now I tag all of you to share your holiday photos if you haven't already!

Greatful For a Husband

Since it is so close to THANKSGIVING I'm going to respond to a tag from my cousin Stephanie—it's all about my husband whom I am very thankful for.

We met in Provo, 2003. More distinctly, we said our first hello's while he was standing on the porch waiting to see my roommate, his sister Larissa. I was busy pulling weeds when he walked up. It was my derriere he saw before my face.


We knew each other about three years before getting married. Of course, we weren't serious the entire time. It took me quite a while to warm up to him.

Our first kiss was in Mary's car after roller skating. I'd been giving him the "look" all evening.

Adam said "I love you" first. But, he didn't really say it . . . he kinda squeaked it out while trying NOT to get emotional. I don't remember the date of that declaration—but I do remember when he told me he had prayed about us. We were on a walk, and I was busy taking photographs. Here are the images that document the day. Funny.


Now we've been MARRIED for two and a half years. Can we make it to forever? Of course!

His nickname for me is "beautiful". "Hey beautiful . . . " are how all my phone messages begin.
My favorite physical feature is his Go-Tee. It's a weakness of mine. He's a weakness of mine.
What does he do that surprises me? When he's half asleep and I wake him up, he's incredibly sweet—he doesn't get grumpy. He tells me he loves me and falls asleep again. Or he'll get up just to get a blanket for me. Would I do that for him? Maybe after I finish barking at him for waking me up.
His greatest quality—he's willing to do or try anything. Even if it means hard work. Or hanging out with a bunch of girls. . . .
Adam's favorite food is wings. Buffalo Wings on a sandwich, wings with blue cheese, on a bun, from wingstop, with ranch. Wings. Wings. Wings.

Golf is Adam's favorite past time. If I could pay attention that long—he could talk about it ALL DAY.

My husband is my favorite person.

(Now I tag Aunt Sally and double tag Natalie.)

Leonard Slipp

Our beloved Leonard Slipp (three times removed) slipped away just before October 31st. He was known to only six of us (he was something of a slippery fellow). So the funeral procession was very short. And I am somewhat ashamed to say that we had a good time during the funeral in spite of our loss. RIP Slipp, RIP.

(Click any image to view larger)

ABOVE: The funeral announcement/invite

ABOVE: The grave stone we bought (with Leonard's money of course, he was rather wealthy.)

ABOVE: Mr. Slipp's unused/empty mansion.

ABOVE: Adam and I were care-takers for the grounds. (Although, he often gave us the slip when our bill was due. . .)

ABOVE: Travis disliked Mr. Slipp immensly, no one knows why. But his wife Cammie, sincerely grieved for his loss.

ABOVE: Lincoln is still in shock because his wife Marcie discovered she has inherited the Slipp fortune. She had a difficult time hiding her glee.

ABOVE and BELOW: The table setting included an urn for Leonard's ashes (we put water and dry ice in the urn to create a cascading fog effect) and a punch bowl which held blood red juice with dry ice as well.

ABOVE: Some of the portraits hanging on the mansion walls.

ABOVE: Unfortunately there was a rat infestation, they were crawling around the baseboards. The spiders didn't bother us much, thank goodness.

BELOW: The only light we had was from all the candles. By the end of the evening we had some awesome drippage.

BELOW: The food. We had cheesecake—picked because of the black effect. Also mini graves in memory of Mr. Slipp (chocolate zuccini cake). The other funeral attendants brought cookies and a couple different chip dips with black chips, and candy.

For those of you who came—thank you!
We had a smashing good time. We played games late into the night to the sweet sounds of organ/funeral music. Ahhhhhhhh . . .