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Tuesday, January 01, 2008

California trip

Make sure to check out the photo album - there's a few pictures of Marc, Camryn and Ethan's trip to California this past June. Will post most later.
Happy New Year!!

The new year is here and we rang it in like we usually do. Every year, Gregory Blvd church of Christ hosts a progressive dinner. This year, the Brigham's had appetizers at Paul & Donna Walker's house, soup at Ed & Cindy Stephen's house and then everyone met at my parents for dessert and games. Some people, especially those who don't live in Raytown or Lee's Summit, choose to stay home for safety sake, but we had a pretty good turn-out. I counted 20 people in the living room alone, not counting the kitchen, dining room or basement (which was designated for the kids). In the living room, we played Apples to Apples and had a blast! Some of the kids (Jackson, Kyra Little, Lindsey Adell) came upstairs and played with us. That game is really a lot of fun with a huge crowd or just a small group. (I will warn you - if you want a really BIG laugh, play with Barry Poyner from Kirksville! He's a riot, which we found out at the marriage retreat in September!!) Some that we hoped would be there that were not feeling well were Marc, Carrie Northup (she was there but left early) and Mom (she opened her house to us all, thank you, but then stayed in her room most of the night. I hope we weren't too loud!!
We had a full house after Christmas last week. On Wednesday, Dan & Gaylene began their annual teen/pre-teen study at Gregory. Doug and Jill Twaddell and their kids came into town for the study and stayed with us. This was Jackson's first year to attend (he's 10) and he really had a good time. They learned the Walk Through the New Testament in the morning and in the afternoon, they were split up between girls and boys. Dan took the boys and taught them about duties for men in the church (how to lead a song, say a prayer, do a reading, speak). Gaylene took the girls and taught them about the duties of women in the church (unfortunately, the only thing that I know about was learn out to make unleavened bread). On Wednesday night, we had a pot luck at church and then service. Thursday night, Doug and Jill invited us to go to dinner with them and some other couples (Steve and Gaynor Crane - Smart Rd, Randy & Laura Teghtmeyer - Smart Rd and Jay & Becky Graham who were in from out of town). We went to V's Italian Restaurant (just happens to be one of my favorites). It was nice to get to know the Crane's - I've seen them but never really met them. Steve had me crying by the end of the night, he was so funny!!! Then Friday, the Twaddell's were off to Gordon and Brenda Clevenger's and I worked late. Thank you, by the way, to my great girlfriends (Jessica Herrington and Michelle Morris) who were able to help me out in a pinch this past week when I needed a babysitter.
Today, Jackson is off at a friends and then to the movies, Marc has driven to Bethany to get Regan and Camryn and Ethan are watching a movie while I blog and contemplate doing laundry (ugh!). School starts again on Thursday.
Have a great new year!!! Stay safe!