We went to Oregon for the Christmas break and the New Year Holiday celebration. We had a great time. We were able to visit with Grandma and Grandpa Schaefer for a long while. We ate wonderful meals and had a good visit with the Roseburg missionaries from their ward on Christmas. Oscar looks forward to becoming a missionary. He loves the elders.

Some of the highlights from the trip:
1. The kids talk incessantly about their dog, Nikki. She was hit.
2. Holiday lights – we went to see Christmas lights for a Family Home Evening on New Year’s Eve.
3. Spending some wonderful time with Marlene’s parents. Marlene was able to continue in doing family history research and learning about her dad’s youth and recording it on tape.
4. We relaxed and enjoyed ourselves. Oscar and Lily felt at home by the time we left and were running around like they usually do (I don’t know if Marlene’s parents really loved that) but they were able to get a real glimpse of what life is like for Marlene on daily basis. I always gain substantial appreciation for her as she stays home with the kids when we go on vacations or I have time off from school. They are on the go constantly. I wish I could reign in some of their energy and take it as pill or something.
5. Oscar and Lily love their grandparents
6. The pleasant Oregon weather. It didn’t rain too much, but it was also 50 degrees. So nice. Reminded me that Utah is so cold. It was hard to come back.
7. Walking down the lane in front of their house and seeing the horses and petting them.
8. Phil finished up grades and worked on a few papers while there and also catching as many College Bowl Games and Professional Sports as I could without making everyone upset with me.
9. Oscar and Lily loved playing games with Grandma and feeding Nikki dog biscuits and playing with their toys from Santa Claus.

Another huge event was Lily’s 3rd Birthday with Grandma and Grandpa Schaefer. It was great. She loved her cake that looked like a big Strawberry and her icecream. Oscar loved the sorbet.

I’ll have to ask Marlene if she has more.