The Sunday Before Christmas 2008

Mom's finished gingerbread house.

Somebody wants to take a bite of her just completed construction project.

The girls help Gus smile for the camera.

C'mon, grab my ball, I dare you.

Christmas mantel display.

Spartan window decorations

Flash photography shows snow accumulated over the weekend. Much more on the way tomorrow.

Long exposure captures Christmas lighting display.

Colored lights glowing beneath a layer of snow.

More lights shine eerily through snow.

Day After Thanksgiving 2008

On the day after Thanksgiving, Cameron and Tara invited us to go with them and with Tara's parents (Mike and Jackie) to Christmas lighting festivities at the Gallivan Center in downtown Salt Lake City.

Besides turning on the Christmas lighting display, there was a concert at the Gallivan Center hosted by Channel 2's news anchors.

The headlining performer for the concert at the Gallivan Center was Kurt Bestor--here surrounded by hired band members.

The lights finally came on.

George Zinn, a friend of mine since high school, was in attendance. George is the "Where's Waldo" of Salt Lake City. He makes a point of going to everything: movie premieres, press conferences, political events, ball games, all kinds of opening nights. If it is an event covered by radio, TV, newspapers, or popular bloggers; just have a look around, George is probably there.

After the Gallivan Center event, we all rode trax to the Gateway Mall for more Christmas lights and concert performances.

Mike and Jackie Manning, Tara's parents.

(Photo by Cameron)

A "mugger" on trax.

The headlining performer at the Gateway was pianist Jon Schmidt.

Jon is a great pianist and composer. He enjoys performing visual tricks to keep children engaged.

Waiting between performers at the Gateway. Looks exciting, doesn't it?

Jon Schmidt at work on a cold November evening. How does he play so well even with frozen fingers? (This photo by Erin Jo)

After the concert, we went to the Blue Iguana where we enjoyed fajitas on sizzling platters served directly to our table (sorry no images of us enjoying the meal, but, believe me, it did happen.)

Uncle Ben's Passing

Ben Allen 1925 - 2008

Our Uncle, Ben Allen (married to Grandma Gen's sister Rosemary), passed away last Tuesday. He was a great man (see his obituary and video here: http://www.woodfuneralhome.com/ -- click on the link for Dr. Wendell Benson Allen).

He was always very friendly to me. Outgoing and blessed with a perpetual smile on his face, he brightened up any room with his mere presence. He was a veternarian, a church leader, and a great family man.

We are driving to Idaho Falls today with Jeff and Barbara Booth for Uncle Ben's viewing.

Day Before Halloween Dance

On the night before Halloween, we hosted a pre-dance dinner at our home for Bria, her date, and six of their scary friends. Here are some images from that spooky event:
From left to right: Madison Chandler's date, Madison herself, Can't Remember His Name, Can't Remember Her Name, Bria's date--Derek Peterson, Bria Strickland, Never Knew His Name, and Debra McBride.

Bria and Derek. Guess who made the pirate coats for the occasion? That's right, Bria's mom, Laurel.

Erin was a great help hostessing the dinner at our home.

Here's another sample from the Strickland Family Historical Image Archives.  Pictured here, from an image captured in 1954, from left to right:  Thurman Leroy Strickland, Jr.; Thurman Leroy Strickland, Sr.; Kirk E Strickland; and Edward Monroe Strickland.  That's right, four generations on one sofa.

Who will be the first to identify the subject of this portrait?

As soon as we hear from Dustin, Amber, and Cameron;

we will give you a link to more amazing images!

More Family Portraits from Flagstaff/Sedona Trip

Everyone who attended Kylee's blessing. From left to right: Bria, Erin, Amber, Andy, Kylee, Cameron, Tara, Kirk, and Laurel.

Some of us in front of the Montezuma's Castle ruins.

Cameron's wife, Tara; Cameron himself; and Cameron's sister, Amber.

Kylee Genevieve Pavlovich

Kylee and her proud papa.