Elaine

> We have been out to the Gap several times in the last couple of weeks. Yesterday we went out and hiked around a little. This is me (Elaine) with the lake behind me. The Little Salt Lake had water (usually dry) and ice. It looked very pretty. It was a little chilly but we always like to get out and walk. Helps our backs to walk a little every day.
> Curt is doing pretty good. He is still doing Chemo on Thursdays. We have a break coming up next week and plan on going to Matt and Amy's to be there when the twins baptised. Looking forward to that.
> Maybe California won't float away before that. They have had LOTS of Rain and we have had LOTS of snow! I just hope we have some Sun when we get there. We actually had a lot of rain last week and it melted most of the snow in town. Brian Head still has lots of snow.
> -Elaine
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Christmas Tree 2010

> We really wanted to go out and get a real tree but every time we could go it would be snowing too hard. So we settled on my tree that I made out of safety pins, wire and lights. I made one for Tishanna and one extra. They were pretty at night with the lights on.
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> -Elaine

Winter is here!

> Curt was out plowing the snow after our big storm. I guess winter is really here.
> We had a very nice Christmas, quiet but nice. Curt wanted to have Christmas the Norwegian way, so we fixed our Turkey dinner and all the trimmings and my cranberry torte on Christmas Eve and opened presents after dinner. It was just Curt, Tishanna and I so it was very nice. Curt and I got a new BIG screen TV and Tishanna got recording equipment and clothes.
> When Curt was little his parents would hear Santa's bells (Christmas Eve) so he and his Dad and brother would go out in the car looking for Santa. They heard bells too, but never saw him. When they got home they had JUST missed him and Santa had brought presents! They would open their presents then. (Probably a great way to do it as Mom and Dad got to sleep in the next morning)
> We did this a few times when the kids were little. Curt would take them out in the cold and look all over for Santa. They came home a little disapointed because they could hear the bells but could never see him. Then as they came home, what to their wondering eyes but toys under the tree and Mom had seen Santa and was so sorry that they had just missed him. We had some great Christmas's, some lean but non the less good. I loved having my children all there and opening presents. Dad would assign one person to bring the presents out one by one. He called him the 'Christmas Boy.' When Tishanna was old enough to bring presents to us she was called the 'Christmas Boy' too.
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> -Elaine
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Parowan Pond

> Yesterday Curt and I sat out at the pond and just enjoyed the view. We have had a Blue Heron visit quite a bit and he just sits on a post by the pond. The reflections were really nice so I thought I'd share. I haven't been able to get a good picture of the bird yet but I will keep trying.
> We also went out to the gap and hiked around for a while. The weather was a little cool but it was good hiking weather.
> We are getting ready for Christmas by putting lights up and decorations in the house. We will be here for the holiday. In January though we will be going to Santa Clarita for Zachary, and Zoe's baptism. They will turn eight on December 14th. Happy Birthday you two! Happy Birthday to Caleb too who will be 16 on the 27th. Congratulations from Grandma and Grandpa Paulson.
> Curt is doing pretty well. He still goes to Cedar for Chemo on Thursdays and will continue that until the end of January. We hope by then that he can just take Chemo pills and not have to have the IV's. He keeps a pretty positive attitude so that is good.
-Elaine
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Kira and Maelle

Sarah

Getting ready to leave Daniel and Sarah's house.  Thanks for the visit.  We had a great time. Loved seeing the kids too.  They grow too fast!

-Elaine 

Tucson

> This Curt, Daniel and Kira out looking for treasures in the desert. (1 block from Daniel's house) Daniel was using his high powered earth magnets to find any metal. We had a lot of fun in Tucson. In stead of having turkey we BBQ ed steaks. We didn't get up early to cook food all day. It really was nice to have that day just to visit and play in the back yard. Curt wants turkey for Christmas though. I will also make my Cranberry Torte that everyone likes. I made it twice at Daniel's.
> We Had some sad news while we were there. Tishanna's husband died the Sunday before the holiday. She was back home tending the dogs. She left the dogs in the care of a friend and went to Salt Lake for the funeral by herself. She had been separated from him for 3 years but still held a special place in her heart for Chris. We will all miss him.
> -Elaine
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