Finishing Out The Year

The Whitney's finished out 2024 with a hike in Fountain Hills.

Happy Birthday Ben!

 49 Years Old

I Did It!

In setting up my goals for the new year last January I made a plan to read the Book of Mormon.  I also planned to read all the standard works as well.  As it  turned out I read the Book of Mormon twice, The Doctrine and Covenants, Pearl of Great Price, the New Testament and the Old Testament.  I finished the Old Testament this afternoon and am excited to mark that down as accomplished.  More of the same next year!!!  I love the scriptures!

Mexico!

After visiting various sites in Los Angeles Lexy and Ellis and her sister and parents boarded a cruise ship and traveled south.  Here are some of the pictures from their time in Mexico.  

Another Hanukkah Dinner

 

Christmas 2024

 

Jane's Lego Set

 

Jane got a Mona Lisa Lego Set and finished 
it in no time

Man Time

While Lexy and her mom and sister went shopping the guys headed to Disneyland.  I smiled when I remembered that after all the boys had moved out of the house and it was just Aunt Amy, me, and her dad she said to him, "now you will know how it feels to be the minority."  Brother Thomas and Ellis are still the minority in the family but it is nice to have someone who will go to Disneyland with you when the other alternative is clothes shopping!

Happy Birthday Abby!

 19 Years Old

Holiday Plans

The semester has ended and finals taken for many in our family so now it's time to start celebrating.  Lexy and Ellis are in California and will be going on a cruise with her parents and sister along the coast of Mexico.  Miriam is back in Chicago for a visit.  Lincoln is home as well.  Evangeline and Owen will be traveling after Christmas to attend a friend's wedding and then will spend some time with family in Illinois.  Meg is settling in her new apartment in Provo.  Ruth is spending her last Christmas as a missionary in Mexico.  Katie and Abby are working (Katie has also finished with another semester at Southern Utah University), and Brigham and Kenna are enjoying their holiday as a newly engaged couple.  All is well!

Temple Visit

I had a wonderful visit with my friend Barbara Walker.  She came and spent two days here in Gilbert and on Friday night we drove over to the Mesa Temple to see the temple grounds which were decorated for Christmas.  It was a beautiful sight and so nice to see so many people walking around the grounds with their families.  I took a picture of one of my favorite things that is there each year.

She Said Yes!

Brigham and Kenna

 

Before & After

As anyone who has had to have any kind of medical procedures you always go in wide eyed and bushy tailed.  Afterwards it isn't always pretty and you often look like a whipped puppy.  Thanks Lexy for the before and after pictures!  Everything looked good when the tests were done so that is good news.

Gingerbread Tradition Continues!

I received a text from Aunt Cathy last night along with pictures of their Gingerbread creations.  She wrote: "You might recognize the Candyland game board that Meggie designed.  The traditional gingerbread house is mine.  Abby's Barn has a horse outside.  Rachel built a small mouse house.  You can't see it in the picture but in the door is a picture of the mice from the Muppet Christmas Carol.  Brigham and Kenna went all out on the light house.  Katie's barn has sheep in the pasture.  Bill, Austin, and Will created a rendition of the Home Alone house with traps.  Rox's is camping by the railroad tracks."

Meg's Candy Land Game

Aunt Cathy's

Abby's Barn & Horse

Rachel's Mouse House

Brigham's and Kenna's Light House

Katie's Barn w/Sheep

Will, Uncle Bill and Austin
Home Alone complete with traps

Rox's Camping by the Railroad Tracks

Gingerbread Tradition

Last night the Whitney kids came for a holiday tradition at Grandma's house.  There were some pretty amazing ideas and fun was had by all.  

Santa's Visit

Abby sent pictures of a recent visit from Santa and two of his Reindeers when he stopped by the Children's Hospital in Lehi.  It sounds like her job is great and she is enjoying all the extra activities that are happening at this time of the year.

Meg's New Job

Meg has kept busy since graduating from BYU but she is now employed by BYU to work in the Zion' Gallery in the Joseph F Smith Building.  She will begin officially in January and will be moving back to the Provo area.  Here is some information on her work place.  

"The Zion Gallery Education in Zion is an exhibition space in the Joseph F. Smith Building at Brigham Young University (BYU). The gallery and permanent exhibition documents the history and heritage of education in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) from Joseph Smith to the current Church Educational System (CES). Education in Zion includes stories, film, artwork, photographs, and letters. Temporary exhibits have shown student artwork, information about university services, the history of specific CES schools and colleges, and connections between academic subjects and scriptures. The gallery hosts a number of recurring events and lectures. Students viewing the exhibition have felt a renewed appreciation for their education."

This is a perfect place for Meg to continue to contribute to the university with her background in preservation of records and exhibits.  Congratulation Meg!  They are so lucky to have you.

Flossing Lessons

Apparently Uncle Bill wanted to share a talent I didn't even know he had at his YSA ward Christmas Party.  

Spelling Bee Champ!

 

Walking off the Turkey!

(L to R) Duncan, Eden, Kenna, Brigham, Will, Katie, Graham

 

Happy Birthday Christian

 50 Years Old