Pre Christmas

After Thanksgiving the kids wanted to start decorating for Christmas, but first they went shopping the morning after Thanksgiving and had a wonderful time together.

This is Heather's shopping outfit.
Heather was so excited to put up Christmas decorations. After they got home from their shopping excursion they had me take down all the Christmas decoration bins and they started to work their magic.
Heather stayed in her early Christmas shopping outfit the entire day. I think it gave her a little creative mojo.
While Heather is jumping around in her mojo suit Rachel is getting stuff done.
It did not take long for Rachel to start dancing to the Christmas music. They are definitely festive dancers.
The climax of song reminded Rachel that Jimmy was coming over and this was the result.
After much dancing, singing and dreaming about Jimmy they finally finished making some cookies and got a few decorations put up.
One of our favorite Christmas traditions is the advent calendar. Lynne and Jacob are opening one of the daily pockets. Even though our kids are big they still like to participate. I want to announce that Chad (who is currently not chronologically in Utah at the time the image was taken) opened the pocket with Baby Jesus.
Looks like Jacob is also having fun with this tradition.
Later that evening Grandma and Jessica gave Jacob a hair cut. He was so cute with the phone and the bush. The two items kept him distracted from the hair removal.

Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving was a little different this year without having Grandma and Grandpa G around. I usually go fishing with Grandpa a few times and enjoy the outdoors. We also were missing Angela and Chad but knew we would have them around soon (Christmas).

Greg, Kim and family came over for some good old fashion Turkey grub. We always feel blessed to have Grandma H. to dinner or any activity. Lynne and I tag teamed the Thanksgiving dinner with some help from Jessica and others. I enjoy cooking and have been taught by the best (Grandma G. ).

The guys enjoyed looking at a few car images and Cobra talk. Nothing quite like horsepower !

The kids grabbed my camera as the adults talked, they had fun taking images. I did the same as a kid. We all love taking images. The funny faces, wierd shots, action and sci. stuff seem to dominate my hard drive space. I think it is genetic ! Here is a candid shot with Stephanie and Heather. I don't know who took the image.

Come on ....... flex it girls. From the looks of it you can see these young ones have been working out at the 24 hour fitness center. I love the spontaneousness, I don't think that is a word..... oh well !
ShiShi: Rachel and Stephanie are saying Hi in Chinese. Rachel is known for her dual Chinese personality.

Sisters take to the grass and do the mantis and shouting tiger pose. Do not try this at home without health insurance. A big thanks to all who came over for dinner to share time with us.

Ginger Bread Creations

Last week we got together with some family and friends and had a good old fashion ginger bread show down. Our pieces were not near as architecturally innovative as Angie and Chads. If you want to see a cool ginger bread type house take a look at Angie and Chad's Blog. All three groups started with the same pre-made gingerbread kit. All readers need to select their favorite ginger bread house. We put these pieces of work on line for our viewers (few that be) to select the winning house of 08. Please vote...... your vote will count here.
Here are the following teams:
Jessica and Lynne (married women)
Rachel, Stephanie and Heather (single women)
Dan, Jimmy and Sir Richard III (men)

I was regularly called on as a consultant for all teams although I do have a bias I will not divulge my favorite at this time.

The guys were not taking this lightly. They thought the theme for this year was the American Frontieer.

Here Jessica is deciding what piece of candy to use. Every candy was specifically selected to give the house its magical ora.

Heather did not waste any time. It did not take long for her to master the little icing tool and soon she was putting together quite little candy fixtures.

The guys took a while to come up with their idea and it slowly started to take form. After the walls got up the external log veneer was applied with precision.

The young ladies decided to use a glass display plate to provide and interesting view.

This is one awesome cabin. I think Harold we be proud of the effort these young men.

Jacob had a good time rooting for the guys.

Nice icing!

Heather was fixated with her feet throughout the entire process. Yes Heather your feet are very nice.

OK below are the images of the three gingerbread houses. Please rank the houses as you see fit.

Jessica and Moms House: A very attractive house. Good use of candy and percise construction. I give this house the If I could eat it..... it would taste very good award. I also think it is the most colorful.

The GUYS get the best use of pretzels award. Nicely done !

The young girls get the best use of a Santa Clause award.

Times With Grandpa G

Hello my friends,

I would like to invite you to share an experience you have had with Grandpa Glassford. Post your experience on your BLOG for all to enjoy. We look forward to reading “Times with Grandpa G”.

I will start by introducing myself. I am Richard H. Glassford II: Son of Grandpa G. I am the second son of Richard and Luanne Glassford.

This true story took place in Southern California when I was around 13 years old.Living on this planet provides one with a multitude of unique experiences. My life has been anything but dull. I think I can attribute that to my OCD and a supportive family. I have many more things on my bucket list and hope to share those with loved ones for many years to come.

My experience occurred when I was about 13 years old. I was in 8^th grade and all I could think about was basketball, fishing and my pigeons. One Friday while sitting in school my buddies and I were thinking about fishing. We could never focus on Fridays because we knew we were about to wet a line somewhere in San Diego County. Grandpa G was the leader of our fishing party. Dad always made himself available to take us places and help the youth in our Ward. I had many good friends at this time and if I recall correctly Daryl Dickey, Mark Arnold and Steve Quesenberry accompanied us on this outing.

This particular Friday night we ventured to a lake about 80 minutes east of the city. Late that afternoon we took off to go camping and fishing. This lake is out in the country and stars lit up the night sky. With no light pollution from the ever present city sprawl, the night seemed extra dark and only venerable to a strong flashlight. To young teenagers the darkness invited the imagination to run wild and things that go bump in the night become a reality in the darkened distance beyond our vision. The plant life is mainly scrub-like with California live oaks scattered around the lake. Our camp site had some large trees providing much needed shade from the intense summer heat. Lake Moreno has an extensive variety of fish and we always had great success (bass, blue gill, sunfish, and catfish). This particular trip proved to be one of the most lasting impressions in my mind. When we pulled into the camp, the sun was almost down and it quickly became dark. We set up camp in the darkness with the lights of the car providing assistance. You must know as I continue to type what I am about to share with you actually happened. I am not making it up ………. The ground was littered with oak leaves and egg corns and I remember the smell and feel of the ground beneath us. We opened some canned foods and quickly ate as much as was provided before lying on our sleeping bags. All four of us young deacons were arranged like sardines side by side looking to the sky for shooting stars. Off in the distance about 100 ft was a large Oak tree and Grandpa G pointed out some curious lights that were moving above the tree. Our eyes quickly moved from star gazing to a 45 degree angle above and behind the tree.

We were instantly mesmerized by lights that seem to float above and behind the tree. From our perspective the lights could have been light years away or could have been just feet above and behind the tree. The objects could have been one inch across or as big as a football field. As the lights interacted with one another we noticed the lights moved quickly, slowed then followed by quick random movements. Our close encounter lasted a few minutes and to this day I believe we experienced something from another world. Dad and I have talked about this many times since and we cannot come up with another other explanation. After a short period of time we stood and walked towards the car to see the lights from a different angle. Shortly after the lights dissipated and the experience was over. I know some of you have might have some explanations but as far I am concerned Grandpa G and four adolescent boys saw something from another world. As for the rest of the night we laid on our sleeping bags with some anxiety and creative explanations. I am sure we also talked about girls but mostly about the aliens that were headed in our direction and what we were going to do when they tried to suck out our brains. Grandpa of course eased our minds and helped us focus on the fishing we were going to do the next morning. We had a great time catching plenty of fish and on the way home as usual Grandpa stopped in a small town called Alpine to get us some soft ice cream cones. If you know grandpa, you know he loves getting the kids ice cream. Thanks Gramps for all the great memories and we look forward to many more.

Love your Son,

Rich or Ricky

P.S. I would like to get in touch with those aliens and perhaps set up a photo shoot.

* Important information: fireflies are not found in Southern California. In South Carolina I experienced these unique insects and the lights we observed were significantly brighter and larger than fireflies. When we stepped to the side to view the lights they appeared farther away then directly above the tree.

Top Ten reasons why Jimmy is on the Blog...

10. His bone structure is absolutly illuminating when he stands under the moon light.

9. When he smiles... Rachels heart skips a beat.

8. His Curly hair ... so curly.. so .. brown... it smells like wild flowers on a warm summers evening, at least that is what Rachel says.

7. Rachel needs a daily fix of Jims face so we are helping her fulfill her addiction.

6. His ear lobs are very creative.. almost elf like.

5. We seldom see Jimmy face to face so we like to look at it when the sun sets before we go to bed.

4. He has already spent 2 years on a mission in Mexico, He likes String cheese, and he can jump really High!

3. His nose glimmers like a blade of grass in the morning sun.

2. Because Rachel misses Jimmy like a biscuit misses gravy...

1. Because Jimmy is number 1 on Rachel's top ten list! :)

Heather Finishes Her Volleyball Season

Heather and Amy enjoy some time together before the game starts. These two girls have been playing volleyball together for years. It was fun to watch them play one last season.
Mountain View's Volleyball team finished 6th place in the state. Heather was a integral part of the team playing outside hitter and playing all around. This year was her first year playing outside and she enjoyed the change but is looking forward to setting or playing lebro next year. Heather set the Utah State High School association record for the most service aces in one game. She served 18 straight aces in one game. She has a great floating serve along with accuracy. Here Heather is waiting for the opposing team to serve the ball.
Heather's long toothpick like body allows her to get into awkward but efficient positions. I am amazed at her ability to pass and pick up tipped balls.

Offense cannot start without a good pass, so passing is not only important but fun. Heather swings away against Springville
Can you say "ANGLE" Heather is a smart hitter and takes what is given. TIP.....TIP.....TIP.....to late.... point Mountain View !
Heather was always concerned about style and in this image she is starting a new hitting form called the toothpick. Great stuff Heather.....only you can pull it off.
You bring it my way and you might see it back in your face. Heather is known for her trash talking. You can see her mumbling get that out of here you orem-ite. Oh by the way Orem finised 12th in the State. Better luck next year...... suckers!
I will hit ya when you are down...... Heather mumbles as she puts the ball back on the Provo side of the net.
This American Fork athlete thought she had a point but Heather rolled the ball off her hand for a point. She is deceiving with her long arachnid like arms.
Heather's large webbed hands allow her to smack that ball right through the block. She can work a block like the best of them.
Heather has a second talent that few humans can withstand. It is called the belch technique. As opponents approch to hit she goes up to block and gives them a stomach load of rich fermented air right in the face. She not only gets the pleasure of scoring for her team but reliving her self of some unwanted gas.
Heather, we have enjoyed spending time with you and your team. I hope you will train hard for next year and I look forward for some more creative ways to earn points on the volleyball court. With love, one of your biggest fans.