Another old photo

I was looking at this picture recently, and I realized that 2008 in our family will produce a very similar picture - only we'll need a bigger couch!

George MacDonald

I've just got to tell you all how much I am enjoying reading books by George MacDonald. I had never heard of him until a friend in the ward mentioned reading At the Back of the North Wind as a child. Both C.S. Lewis and J.R.R.Tolkien credit MacDonald with influencing their writing, and Lewis has written an anthology of some of his favorite MacDonald insights. George MacDonald trained to become a minister, and did so, but after just a few short months he was "let go" for being too liberal and tolerant in his ideas. He writes children's fantasy, but he says that he doesn't write for children but for the childlike. I wish I had elementary school aged children to read these stories to. The stories have many levels. They are a wonderful adventure for children, but adults see deeper meanings with each reading. MacDonald has some common themes. One is "beautiful death" and another is the "wise woman" (one more reason to like him). Apparently he had an old grandmother who lived nearby when he was a child so many of his stories contain a woman who seems omnipotent and is very wise and loving. I recommend The Princess and the Goblin, and The Princess and Curdie, it's sequel. He has a collection of short stories at the library called The Gifts of the Child Christ that I have checked out twice but others keep requesting it. His popularity ebbs and flows so some of his books are out of print. You'd have to find them on Amazon.com or on ebay. I would be interested to know if anyone has ever heard of him, and what you think of the books, if anyone reads them.

My Pictures

I have been trying to bring order to what is the "my pictures" section of my computer for the last few days and coming across a few things that I'm afraid got lost in the rush of life. I will now endeavor to upload a movie . . .

Introducing Charlotte Elizabeth Hunsaker

The Ghost of Christmas Past

Grandchildren Thomas, Zar and Jennie with Grandpa and Grandma Young.

Christmas at the Stott's

We were glad to all be together this year. Jane and Beth especially enjoyed each other, asking before every party if the other would be there. Bethany is on the left in both pictures, Jane on the right. Joshua (nicknamed "Buddy Bear") is enjoying a teddy bear from Jane's Grandma Miller, who's generous heart even takes in other people's grandchildren.

A wonderful Christmas!

The Hunsakers had a wonderful Christmas this year!

Making gingerbread houses at Shauna's

A birthday party for Dawson (also celebrating Mark and Jane's birthdays here) at Boondocks.

And our new family tradition - our Christmas Eve party complete this year with Santa and Mrs. Claus. We even attempted a talent show to go along with the program.

Don't ask about this last talent. :) Let's just say you should all be thankful we have the Stotts in the family so the Hunsakers don't have to participate in the talent show at the Hayes Christmas party! (Just kidding - my husband is a really good sport and Dawson is great at playing the Star Wars theme on the piano). Hope everyone else had a fun holiday season as well!

Halloween

I wanted to share our Halloween costume with everyone. Unfortunately for Marc Halloween has never been one of my favorite holidays. He was convinced to change my mind this year. He worked for a total of 1 1/2 weeks on his paper mache Jack Skellington head. I decided since he was working so hard I had to dress up. Marc was Jack Skellington and I was Sally from Nightmare Before Christmas. Marc ended up winning the costume contest at the Halloween party we went to. The prize was a giftcard to Red Lobster so I have a feeling I will enjoy Halloween a little more from now on! If you want to see who Jack and Sally are there is a picture on our blog.

Sherman and Henrietta must be jumping with joy and helping to hand-select their newest greatgrandbabies.



Derek and Andrea Isom Hunsaker - late November 2007 Girl
Patrick and Shelby Moench - February, boy
Stefani Stott and Jan Miller - February, girl
Jennie H. and Ryan Isom - due March, probably February, 2 boys
David and Rebecca Young - March, Sex unknown

Anyone else to add to the list?

Isom's blog.

Does anyone ever check the fun blogs listed at the side of this????? Well it would be a really good time to check out the Isom's blog if you haven't yet!!!!!!

Curious Cupcake

This article from the Deseret News comes on reccomendation from LeJeune (via Susie), and is about Elizabeth Plehn, who is is Aunt Hazel Love Dunford's granddaughter, apparently. Aunt Hazel was the sister just older than grandmother Geneve, and Hazel went to Utah State Agricultural College graduating in home economics. Her husband died young and she raised Clayton, Burns, and Steve Dunford, sending them from house to house to sell loaves of whole wheat bread, thus starting Dunford Bakers. Elizabeth has a cupcake business she runs now in Utah. How fun!
Find the news article here: http://deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695216958,00.html.
Find her cupcake website here: http://www.curiouscupcake.com/. (LeJeune says to click everywhere you can and see all the lovely decorated cupcakes and other info.)

Derek, Andrea, & Lorelei's recent visit for a family wedding!

Reunions

I was just remembering how good my mom looked for her 50th reunion about a month ago. Did anyone see these? (I had a picture on my website.)

So cute. Makes it look like 50 years was no big deal, right?


Anyway, in thinking about reunions, I was wondering when we'll ever have another Young family reunion. They were so fun. I only remember McCall and one in Canada some time before that - and those were a long time ago. I still have such great memories though - the bungalows, the bear up the tree, riding those bike carts around Cardston, and lots and lots of cousin time! Anyway, I take this as a sign - the last time I saw Mike Yancey, even he brought it up and said we need to have another family reunion!

Miss Teen USA 2007 - South Carolina

Ok, so in the computer world this is almost old news, as it has been viewed more than 2 million times in the few weeks since it's been on the internet. So just to make sure you're all "with it" here's a pretty darn funny video from the Miss Teen USA pageant. Yikes - this was the best South Carolina had to offer?!?!?

True?

I hear Stefanie is pregnant? Is that true? When is she due? Congratulations!!!

Katie and Marc's Wedding

More to come after the Open House in Utah!!!

A senior couple in Nate's mission took this video of their last night in the mission home and posted it online. Nate is at the piano while they sing the mission song. . . . chokes him up to watch it! Check it out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6yX4dYXAj0

Nate's Homecoming

It was a happy day for the Stott family! Nate arrived in Salt Lake with four other missionaries at 9:00 a.m. on July 19th. We're all grateful to have him home!

Nate noticed in the picture where they're all coming down the escalator, that each missionary is looking at his family! Dear faces!

Pictures?

Does anyone have pictures from the 4th of July at Martha's or of Katie's bridal shower? I hate missing all the action and would love to see what went on!

A few additions

I have added some links on the right side to some other family websites. We just started one for our family to catch people up on what's been happening in our lives. I put up just a couple other ones that I knew of. Please send me anything else anyone knows of and I'll put a link on, such as individual family websites or blogs, business websites, or any other links that would be helpful or interesting to the family. I've also made it so you can comment on someone's post. So at the bottom where it says comments you can respond to whatever they posted. (For example, I commented on Susie and Adrienne's last posts, you just click on comments to see them.) Anyone have any suggestions for new recruits for the blog? I'm thinking maybe I could get some of the newly-married-into-the-family wives to tell us how they're doing. I'm sure they wouldn't say no to their new in-laws! :) Does anyone have any email addresses? I'm thinking Stephanie and Melissa could let us know how married life is going!

This is Only a Test to the new Blogger Draft

If it works, and you ned help uploading your own videos feel free to email and I'll try to help as best I can! Thought you'd all enjoy a good laugh!

Steve and Susan enjoyed a brief trip to Houston

for James' graduation from law school. Bethany was placated with a blue sucker, which left her with memorable blue lips. We were proud of James, who graduated Magna Cum Laude. We were equally proud of Angela, who's accomplishments were evident in the two beautiful children! They are now settled in Cedar City.

Graduation!

Ryan is now officially Dr. Isom!! We had a great week during graduation. We went to dinner at the Waldorf Astoria with the class for a graduation dinner, then many of Ryan's siblings and Carolyn came in town for graduation and we stayed a few nights right in Times Square at the Marriott Marquis. We went to a taping of Martha Stewart (one of them was live last Thursday, another one airs July 19th I believe), ate at Carmine's in Times Square and then went to graduation at Carnegie Hall, where Ryan was the elected class speaker. He did a fabulous job. In fact, it was all downhill and boring after he spoke! We went to the Guggenheim museum, strolled around the east village and ate at "The Holy Basil," saw Grammercy Park (Agramonte said he lived near there, so Carolyn was very excited to see it), ate at Max Brenner's chocolate restaraunt, among other fun things. On Broadway, Carolyn saw Wicked and Jen and Ryan saw Mary Poppins. It was fantastic!! We are now in the midst of packing and I wanted a break!

Outing

We walked across the Brooklyn Bridge today with some friends of ours. It was really cool. We hung out at the South Street Seaport and then took the water taxi over to Brooklyn and walked back on the bridge. Then we went to some children's festival in Tribeca. It was tons of fun. The other day we went to the NY aquarium on Coney Island and walked around the boardwalk and ate unhealthy boardwalk food. We're living it up our last few weeks here. We highly recommend the Brooklyn Bridge walk if anyone comes out here. Besides the fact that it was perfect weather.

Jane's Adventure

This morning, when I woke up, Grandma was working in the kitchen, and Mommy was on the computer and the telephone looking for a house. No one knew I was awake! I started to cry. When Grandma came to get me, I pointed to my binkie on the floor. She picked it up. Then I handed her my blankey. She took it. Finally she lifted me out of bed. Grandma leaned over to open the blinds and let the sunshine in. We looked out the window, and what do you think we saw? There was a little furry ball shivering in the corner of the window well. Was it a puppy? Was it a kitty? We couldn't tell. She had two pointed ears but had buried her little nose in her paws. Grandma and I went upstairs to see. We went outside, even though I was still in my pajamas. (So was Grandma, but she had pants on with her nightgown, and put a jacket on.) Grandma put me down on a stepping stone and we looked in the window well. There was a frightened little puppy. We couldn't get her out, so we went inside and back down to my room. Grandma put me in my bed so I could watch. I didn't even cry. Grandma climbed up on the counter, opened the window, and took off the screen. Then she slipped out into the window well. The puppy was scared! Grandma gently lifted her up and put her in the garden. We went upstairs again, and out the front door. The puppy hadn't moved. She was too scared. Grandma walked towards her, speaking softly, but the dog moved closer to me. Then Mommy came out. The Chihuahua was afraid of Grandma. She was afraid of Mommy. But she wasn't afraid of me! She liked me! I got to pet her. She didn't want to go home. We gave her water. She was too scared to drink. Grandma put her inside her jacket to warm her up, because she was shivering. Then we made her a bed. She liked to sit on the front porch by the door. She wanted to come in . . . then she saw Rastus. Mommy said it was time for my breakfast and took me inside. The puppy wandered away. One time when Grandma looked out, she saw the dog sitting on the step by the door, but I think she is gone now. Her bed is still on the porch. Some water is still on the porch. If she comes back, she will be warm and she won't be thirsty. I hope she found her way home. THE END