PERFORMANCE

My husband and I have been discussing the possibility of his getting a new car. He has had his Mercedes SUV for almost eight years (a record for him). We decided that since his equipment will now fit in a trunk, we could get a nice sedan instead of another gas hogging SUV, for his work and to travel in. I thought it sounded very logical, sensible, and cost efficient. I forgot about one little thing--PERFORMANCE. Performance is the priority for any "man" car. And guess what?? Performance and saving money don't EVER go together. What was I thinking? Needless to say, we bought "PERFORMANCE"--so now we have a new sedan but that doesn't get great gas mileage but can go from zero to who knows what in a very few seconds. So-- we won't be saving any money--but he will be enjoying the ride.

Moose obsession continues

Yes, my obsession is continuing. After a trip to the cabin--where I purchased Moose pj's, a moose tapestry wall hanging, and found moose tracks right outside our door. I also hung a moose shower curtain, a moose picture from the internet, and moose name plaques for Natasha and Rocky. I saw a lot more moose items in the stores in West Yellowstone than I have seen in past years. I think everyone is following my Moose trend.
The picture is the moose track we saw outside the cabin. It can be verified as real by the moose books I bought showing what a typical moose print looks like. OK- I am obsessed.

Lost in Hawaii

Hawaii is a small island. You can't really get lost--because if you just keep going you will circle around and end up where you want to be- in theory. So technically we had no lost travelers-just long circlers. What an adventure.

Aloha

Despite earthquakes, tsunami warnings, jelly fish invasions, and lost travelers--we had a great time in Hawaii. It was probably too much about the eating- maccadamia nut pancakes, coconut shrimp, macadamia nut chocolate pie, and wonderful Hawaiian burgers. But the sisters did all snorkle- a first for Dixie, La Rae and Sandra. What a great vacation.

Fooled by the Sun

I recently returned from a great trip to upstate New York to visit my grandchildren. I enjoy getting outside during the day, but it is very cold there. I would see the sun come out, get excited, bundle up, and head outside--only to be hit with the bitter-cold air. Why does the sun fool me like that? You would think that I would learn that bright does not mean warm. That sun is pretty tricky if you ask me.

Peaceful Setting

You know how life gets crazy sometimes? We get caught up in all sorts of activities- good and not so good- and life moves quickly by. So I have been thinking about peaceful places where I can relax and renew my spirit. One of those places is our cabin. Sitting outside, listening to the wind blowing through the aspen trees, putting my feet up, enjoying the sun on my face. Ahhh.....
I think we all need more of those places and moments.

Merry Christmas To All

Dear Family and Friends,

We have been keeping in touch with people this year through our blog. Adriann came to visit and helped me set it up. Yes, mine is boring because not much happens around here—but I love to read my children’s blogs. And it is fun to go to the links for other family members and friends. Our blog site is rdvaughan.blogspot.com.

We have had a good year. We made several trips to visit children (always fun to be grandma and grandpa), helped Adriann and Shane move to Louisiana (muggy and buggy), had Grace and the kids for the summer (finally I had kids to swim with everyday), and had the missionaries move into our downstairs (just temporary).

I have been doing a lot of quilting. I love my quilting machine. I went to a beach house in Cayugas this summer with my friend Irene, and we stopped at quilt shops all along the way. I have always loved sewing- I have to get my fix in almost every day. I also got a huge change in my church calling this year. Nursery. Can you believe that I have been serving in the church all these years and have never worked in the nursery before? I have 12 darling kids so I am learning fast, working hard, and having fun.

Rob is still making cradles. He is finishing one for Macc and Lisa. He always enjoys trying something different, and I get frustrated that he just doesn’t stick to a pattern—so I am not a very good helper. Rob is always very busy with our business. He also wrote a handbook for monitoring and still teaches classes several times a year. He also got a new church calling. After being in the stake for about 15 years, he is now Young Men’s President. He loves working with the boys again.

Our children are doing great. We all descended on Macc and Lisa’s home in Ohio for Thanksgiving. It was so fun to have all 20 of us there together (thus the family picture). Macc and Lisa were wonderful and had everything (sleeping, eating and playing) really well organized. We have been so blessed with wonderful children, spouses, and grandchildren.
Macc and Lisa are expecting the arrival of a baby girl in January. Lisa is looking radiant. Macc just got a big promotion at work and was able to come to San Diego in May to take Rob to the US Open in Torrey Pines. Andy and Jenna accepted a job with an ENT group in St George starting in July. They have been in Virginia for 9 years, so this will be a big change. Finally, we will have children living in the West.

Grace and Ron are still in upstate New York. Ron got home from Iraq in October, and was immediately put in the Bishopric. They are enjoying being a family again but Grace is still on her own during sacrament meeting. Jacque got to travel for the President to Thailand and New York City this year. She also went to a conference in Paris—so Grace and I tagged along. France was wonderful and my daughters were very fun. Adriann and Shane (and little Ivy Lou) moved to Louisiana in May. Shane graduated with his Doctor of Audiology and got a job there with the VA. They have a cute home and are getting used to gumbo and crawfish.

We took some fun family trips this summer to Lake Powell and our Two Moose Caboose (cabin). We are so blessed to be able to travel and enjoy family and friends. We recognize the Lord’s hand in so many areas of our lives each day. We would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and great, happy New Year.

Love to all, The Vaughans