Alan's first plane ride. Destination Columbus, Ohio

My dad's brother Bob passed away a few month's before my dad, but his daughter Viki was in the hospital so they waited to have his funeral until she was better. My mom made a promise to my dad before he passed that she would try her best to go to his funeral. Since the flights were so cheap I was able to go along for support. Alan was still free so I took him along to help out Mike. Five kids is easier then six. This was Alan's first flight, and he did great. Unless you ask the man sitting in front of us. Alan was a lap child on a full flight from Phoenix to Ohio (a 3 1/2 hr flight.) For thoughs of you who have been on a plane know there's about 2 inches from you and the seat in front of you, so the gentleman in front of us got a 3 and 1/2 hr back amssage that he didn't appreciate. He said his peace and reccomended Dimatap for the next flight. We were lucky enough to get a row to ourselves for the remaining 3 connections so Alan had more legroom. That was a blessing since the flight home from Columbus to Phoenix took 5 and 1/2 hours due to weather conditions. It was a brsik 12 degree's when we left Columbus. Luckily while we were visiting it was in the 40's until the day we left. It wasbeatiful to see the snow, but I was greatful to see the sun in California.

These are my uncle Bob's 5 daughter's (Valarie back left, Viki middle back, Bobbie front left, Leslie front right, and Amy back right, and my Uncle Ronnie's son Mike.

This is me and my sister Dawn again with my cousin Beth (aunt Bonnie's daughter).>

This is me with my cousin Linda (my Aunt Shirley's daughter). >

This is me and my mom with my sister Dawn who I have not seen in 8 years. Alan with his new bear from aunt Dawn!

Samantha's Home Science project

Mike saw this on the Internet and thought it would be fun to try it out at home since Samantha had just dragged him to the school science fair and got his wheels in his head turning. So off to the store for diet coke and mento's. This is why the prophet discourages us from drinking caffeinated drinks. LOL

Just a little fizz! I was glad it didn't turn out like the one where a little boy drank the coke and mento's at the same time and his head flew off. Mike assure's me that was just special affects and that didn't really happen. Let's hope not. The experiment was fun and harmless and kept Samantha busy logging it all down in her science journal.

Family Canning!

This week we had a very productive

Family night with extended Family
We had lot's of fun canning 72 hour

Kit's the Keechler's humble 3 day supply, and then proceeding to the major canning the VanBuskirk's well

planned 3 month supply. I'm sure The VanBuskirk's would be willing to share if it came down to it, but hopefully The Keechler's will get their act together and follow the

VanBuskirk's not to mention the

Prophet's guidance.

Once canning was complete is was onto my kids favorite part of family night, Game time!! The sack races were on!

Happy Holidays!

I would like to thank Dennis and Shelly for opening their home so we could have our traditional family Christmas party. I know they've been through alot this season and it's not easy hosting 30+ people. They do have the biggest house so they usually get chosen for get together's.

Christmas with family
is always a great way to spend

the Holidays! (miss you Dad!)

Tyler was very excited to get a new game for his xbox 360 even though it broke the day before. He'll just have to share with his dad. That will proubably motivate mike to get it fixed really fast.

After down loading these picture's I'm starting to think we could have been more humble. We were blessed by the Lord right around the holidays to be able to get a few fun things for the kids. I'm sure Christmas would have been just as nice without them, but it does'nt hurt to get a gift or two.

This Holiday Season has been a little on the sad side with so many loved one's passing on. (My dad, Uncle, step father in law, and a few old friends) But the lord has blessed us in many way's. A few month's ago we weren't even sure we would have a house to live in and were planning on a very humble Christmas. Which is how we should all learn to celebrate Christmas again. It opened our eyes to seeing that Christmas should not be about how many gifts you get, but an opportunity to bring Christ into your home. I had the pleasure of meeting a very nice family who were investigating the church and were going through similar hard times, as so many are now a days. I was able to relate with her burden and was able to bear my testimony of the gospel to her. I haven't been at our ward much since, but I heard she has been to sacrament and I hope that she will find the peace and hope in the gospel that me and my family have been blessed to find. I am grateful for our trials that have helped us to be more grateful for our blessings whether big or small. My appraisal business has been come and go, and has taught us to better budget and be prepared for the good and bad. Thanks to family and friends, and of course the Lord, our testimonies have been strengthened. I Love my family and I am very grateful for the opportunity to be with them forever. May this New Year bring Hope and Happiness to you and yours. Love, The Keechler's