Merry Christmas 2009 from the Simpson Family

Merry Christmas to all our friends and family. This year has been very good for us, and before we get much further, I need to let you know that the previous post was simply to show a few funny clips of Samuel trying to snow board in area hardly big enough to mow, much less snow board. You need to know that he is a really good rider, and loves to board at the local ski hill.
Joseph's friend, Kelsie, came over to the house to make gingerbread cookies a few days before the holidays. Her "little" brother came to the door to get her.

After the cookies were done, Michelle took Joseph and a couple of his friends to the range for biathlon practice. It had warmed up to minus 20 degrees C, and the kids were happy that practice did not have to be cancelled. The team is getting ready for a couple of big races, qualifications for the Alberta Winter Games and the Arctic Winter Games, both coming up soon in January 2010.

'Tis the season to visit folks, like our friends the Francis family with their twin girls.

This was one of my favorite Santa visits this year. Cory did not ask for a cell phone or an iPod.

Last Sunday the weather had warmed up considerable from the previous week, when the temp hung in for over a week at -35 degrees C. (Faye, that is nearly -30 F) When the temp gets up to minus 15 or 20 or so, we start talking about how nice it is outside, and that maybe the temps will stay there for a few weeks before the real cold weather settles in in January or February.

Here are a few children with Santa last week. These children were so excited, but they all waited their turn to talk with Santa, and they all had real nice manners. The little twin boys were the cutest, asking for things for their mother. The big sisters were very cute asking for socks and make-up.

Lockie gives Santa a big hug to seal the deal on the nice list.

Barb came over yesterday to help make tamales for Christmas. We were able to get everything we needed here in town. Our Christmas menu included tamales, posole (soup with pork and hominy) - both traditional Christmas dishes south of the border (or two). We also had samosas, a real good bean salad, and brisket, rolls and BBQ sauce for the Tex-Mex touch. At the end of the day, there were only scraps stuck to plates and platters.

Joseph and Samuel model new coats from Nina Yvette.

Samuel, HE-vage and all, showing off the new union suit, or one piece long johns he wanted. We had to convince him to put on pants before company showed up because he did not want to moon anyone.

Let the feast begin. It is always good to share a meal with family and friends.

After dinner we had a small gift exchange where we read the story of the big calzones. Everyone brought a small thing, or a re-gift to pass along. The children all got whoopee cushions, and they were puzzled at the ugly balloons, until we demonstrated them. Then the flood gates opened up, and the laughter rang out from all over the house of children plopping on the cushions. We had a great time laughing, and right in the middle of the fun, the missionaries showed up. They might have thought we'd all lost our minds, but after they saw the cause, they kinda joined in too.

Shiloh won the coveted prize of the day - the big calzones!! He was a champ, rising to the occasion and showing off for the rest of us. The best part was when he showed the kids the proper method of sitting on a whoopee cushion. His facial expressions and "pardon me"s were great fun for the kids.

This is a first, a two for one special with the drawers.

Monty Python could not have done any better than this: "How to sit on a whoopee cushion in your underwear"

Soph was a quick learner.

Wedgies are always fun and funny.

We had a great Christmas. Dinner was great. The company was outstanding. We missed having more family here, and are going to make plans for Christmas away next year.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of you and your families. We are most grateful for the opportunity to celebrate the birth of the Savior with friends and family. We look forward to sharing and building our testimonies of Christ at this time of year,and hope you do too.

Urban Snowboarding

So here is a little history first, then the set-up for the activities of the day.

Samuel loves to snowboard. He went as often as he could last year. Then he worked little odd jobs all year and saved enough money to buy a season pass this year. With the new pass in hand, he was anticipating opening day at the local ski hill today. He got up early, cleaned his room, and was ready to go by 9 am. One quick phone call, in anticipation of going, and his day was suddenly over. The hill would not open until tomorrow. Now he has to wait for another whole week.

Michelle and I went shopping today, and while we were gone, Samuel decided that if the hill was not open, then the backyard "feature" he has been crafting for weeks would have to suffice. The feature is an upside-down plastic trash can half embedded in snow, and a real sketchy wood ramp that is so steep it really is more of a backstop. He conned Joseph into videoing the triumphs and glories of the day.

Now, being the parent I am, I could not help but try to dissuade him from this entire venture. All I could see was my son crashing into the fence and hurting himself, or not being able to stop and "kissing" the fence. My warnings were countered by the bravado of youth, brimming with confidence that this would be simple in light of the fact that he does "way bigger tricks and jumps at the ski hill, Dad."

OK son, have fun.

Take One: "Dropping in" from a height of four feet for a first look at the trick.



Take Two: This time he aims better for the can, looking for a little air.



Take Three: A direct hit, and a little air, but the landing needs a bit of polish before it is ready for the judges.



Take Four: Now we have a simple jump, and if the fence was just a little further away...



I love my sons for the adventures they create and the confidence they exhibit. And I love these videos. I hope you do too.

Alan

"Land Shark" Siting in Alberta

A Shark or two was seen in Edmonton Yesterday. We were eye witnesses.

We were invited to go to the San Jose Sharks vs the Edmonton Oilers NHL game. As you can see, Joseph is a very strong Sharks fan. We made the trip to Edmonton, to Rexall Place - "Oil Country." The Oiler fans, thankfully, are not as strong as Raiders fans for opposing fans, but Joseph did take his share of ribbing.

We arrived early, hoping to get an autograph or two. Joseph's real and only goal was the goalie, seen here, Evgeni Nabokov. We were right next to the place where the Sharks came out of the dressing room to get to the ice, but at the last minute were shut out by the arena staff. I'm sure they protect the players from the whackos that might try to abuse them. Also here is one of the star players of the league, Danny Heatley. We also saw Joe Thornton, Joe Pavelski, Patrick Marlow, Doug Murry, Dan Murray. Need I say Joseph was as happy as I have ever seen him?

One of the 30 TV cameras around the arena. (On our way to our seats for the game.) The game had just about everything you could ask for. There was a great hockey fight in the first period - drop the gloves, trade 4 or 5 punches, one guy get clobbered and falls, fight over in 30 seconds, no one really hurt. The third period saw both teams trade 3 goals each, and included a ht trick for Patrick Marleau from the Sharks. Tied at the end of the regulation time, the game went into sudden death overtime. Still tied at the end of OT, the NHL decides games with a shoot out - teams alternate 3 shooters, then go to sudden death trading shots. The Sharks scored one, and then... (see the second video below)

Below are a couple of videos from the game. One from the start of the game, and the other from the end. The second video is the save of the final shot of the shoot-out, the save that sealed the victory for the Sharks.

This was one of the finest times we have had together. Was it the best? No, Joseph said the trips to do baptisms at the Temple are better. But for entertainment - nothing even comes close to this trip. The game was very fun, but I had more fun watching him.

Halloween 2009

We have enjoyed a few weeks of something as close to Indian Summer as we are ever going to see. After the first snow of the season (see a few posts ago) we had temperatures in the mid 40's for a couple of weeks. Michelle and I had to go see a surgeon in Edmonton yesterday, and we saw a few flurries both directions, but nothing serious.

Then last night, we got the first significant snow, 5 inches and counting. Now, that is nothing to brag about, except that you would have thought you were in LA with all the spin-outs and jack-knifed trucks. We were supposed to be having a Ward Primary party, complete with YW and YM sponsored spook alley, at the church building, which sits at the top of Beacon Hill. So, over the river and through the woods we go, until traffic stops dead still. We moved 3 car lengths in 55 minutes, which is just long enough to exhaust all patience.

Long Story Short? Activity canceled. Time to have an impromptu "trunk-or-treat" at a neighborhood elementary school parking lot. So here we are in the cold, doing what Mormons do best, chat while the kids run rampant. The children dressed up in costumes, and the little ones were miserably cold, but still eager to accept candy freebies.

Some decorated vehicles. We did not. The Halloween Curmudgeon lives! (evil laugh)

Our friend Lockie and his dad, for whom Lockie saves all the crusts of sandwiches, and apple cores. Looks like Dad needs a little more nourishment.

Samuel (aka Captain Peach-Fuzz, the Pirate) and Bailey.

Spider-Jaden and Tory, the conservative cowgirl, (little political joke there) in the background.

The coldest Panda I have ever seen. He forgot to bring his coat, and he was learning the lesson.

Some of the family with whom we celebrated Thanksgiving here this year. The rest of the gang is in the front of the Suburban thawing out.

"I saw mommy kissing the mass murderer, underneath the spider web last night..."

Our friend Barb made monster cupcakes for us. Every single one was different. They were dee-lish.

Samuel, Hunter, Graeme, and Joseph on their was out for the evening. They came home with full bags of goodies, including this years hot treat, chips.

All in all, it was a good holiday. The biggest surprise of the evening came when a friend and his daughter dropped by. They had moved back to BC, but now are back in Fort Mac, and we are very glad to see them back again.

Happy Halloween!

Youth Conference 2009

We had Youth Conference this last weekend, so it was road trip time again. From our Ward, there were 6 YM and 3 YW. The entire stake had about 120 youth in attendance. The theme for this conference was centered in the Book of Mormon.

The Friday evening activities included ice breaker games, like the name game, where each youth took a Book of Mormon name. Joseph was Mohonri Moriancumer (the brother of Jared), and Samuel was Enos. The idea was to call the name of another player before getting smitten with the sword.


They also played the "handshake murder game." This is where people shake hands and introduce themselves. The "murderer" shakes hands and scratches your palm, then you "die" after 2 more people shake your hand. As you can see, some folks died happy. The idea is to try to catch the "murderer" before getting bumped-off.

After the ice breaker games, there was a mass reading of the Book of Mormon. Each youth was assigned a chapter to be read out loud. As soon as you finished your chapter, you could get another assignment. The entire book was read from cover to cover in less than 19 minutes. There was a small tumult, but no murmuring.

Lunch was a special treat - BBQ Curelom! Everyone had a chance to talk about the different events and workshops from the morning, and the lessons learned. Each workshop also had an activity associated with it. And what is Curelom you ask? Delicious is the answer. Moose. Of course there were also salads and fruit, cookies, and hot chocolate to warm up from the outside temps. The weather was really good, no snow, and temps in the mid teens.

Curelom-m-m-m-m.

I actually had missed the Friday night activities due to a business trip to Calgary and Seattle, but was greeted warmly by our sons Saturday morning.

Ever wonder what it would have been like to listen to a Zoramite from the top of a Rameumptom? Well we had our pick from several. Here Joseph quotes the Black-Eyed Peas, and enforces his views with his might.

A Gadianton Robber is chased through the wilderness by a small band of stripling warriors. This variation of Capture the Flag was one of the favorite activities for both Nephites and Lamanites. This is a park near the Stake Centre. It could be any park in Canada though. If you look close at the "waters of Sidon," you might see a little bit of ice.

A small band of Gadianton Robbers lament their recent drubbing at the hands of the stripling warriors.

At the end of the day, they all cast down their weapons of war.

A general feeling of our youth was that the best, the very best, activity was the vision of the Tree of Life. After reviewing the scriptures, the youth were lead to the "Rod of Iron" - which in our case was a couple of hundred feet of rope, snaking around the large and spacious parking lot to the Tree of Life with its fruit that was white and very desirable. As the youth advanced toward the tree, they were enticed by people to take the easy way. If they got off the path, they could "repent" and return to the start of the activity.

Here is Samuel, pressing forward. trying to find his way in the mist of darkness.

The buffetings of the adversary and the temptations of the world pulling him off the path into forbidden paths.

A firm grasp of the "Iron Rod" was the only sure defence. Joseph was the last on the path, and had to endure all the forces of evil by himself. He did not let go. He was steadfast in doing good.

The tree with the exceedingly white fruit which was very desirous. A little milk would have been nice too.

On the way home we stopped a Costco and Samuel saw this little ride. Here is his "Little John" face. I am curious why someone would take a go-cart to Costco. Maybe they were just there for a hot dog.

Sunday morning Samuel takes a few minutes to write a talk about the conference and resisting temptation. His talk was really good, and he quoted 2 scriptures - one in Second Nephi and one in First Corinthians. Today was also the first time that Joseph blessed the Sacrament.

These are just about the last trees in town that have not shed all their leaves. What a lovely family. I am a very blessed man.

Hugs and Kisses,

Alan and Michelle

Manna from Heaven

Exodus 16:31, Exodus 16:21

Yesterday It was Summer

Just 2 weeks ago we were hoping for an Indian Summer. Today we are hoping it does not snow by Wednesday. In between there, Fall came to Fort McMurray and we enjoyed both days!

We finished grading the garden paths into level walkways, free of detritus. We called about getting sod, and would really like to install it because that will really enhance the aesthetics of the back yard. There is a waiting list, has been since July. With a bit of luck, we will get it in before the first snow. Inspired by John's garden when we visited this summer, and due to the small fact that we have an abundance of rocks, we used a few to make steps between the different levels of the garden paths. Once the grass is growing well, we think the look will be pretty nice.
An Alberta tradition is the annual Corn Bust. Here, we eagerly await the arrival of Taber Corn for our Ward Social. The Bishopric takes care of barbecuing the burgers and dogs, and the rest is pot luck. There were some pretty good pots with plenty of luck this year.

The three amigos: Diane, Michelle and Shawna

Alan gears up for the Santa season.

Our local community center is almost done with a major renovation, including 3 new hockey rinks, new curling sheet with 11 ends (courts), indoor pool and water slides, a new climbing wall, new exercise rooms, yoga studio, golf pro shop, and public library. Joseph and Lockie took advantage of the first day of free skating to go for a little spin.

A photographer and reporter from the local newspaper were there too. Michelle was quoted in the article, and the boys were on the front page, Headline and feature article. This is the photog. Notice the appropriate foot wear for spending time on the ice taking photos for the story.

Fast Sunday, a week ago, came and went in a blur of colds and sniffling. Joseph missed the photo-op fun with the worst case, but we found a new photo spot near the river. Off to our right there was a guy fishing for pike.

You can just barely see the leaves are starting to turn. Now, one week later, they have all turned, and many have given up the ghost. We expect frost on the pumpkins in the morning, so it is time to harvest the remaining vegetables and get ready for winter.

Yesterday we mowed for the last time. Tomorrow afternoon, we will start to spread compost over the grass and rake it out. The ravens are back, some as big as small cows, to make their winter homes here in town. They know where to find free handouts, and they will pick up garbage bags and fly off with them. We have seen geese for over two weeks making their way south too. Alan went to Edmonton last week, and saw moose, deer, elk, wolf, fox, and black bear on the road or crossing it.

Off to General Conference Priesthood Session. After the session, many of the fathers and sons stop at the local A&W for a snack on the way home. Traditions are good like that. We are very grateful for the opportunities to have Conference here, all 5 sessions.

We continue to enjoy life on our Alberta adventure. We love our callings, and the new friends we have made here are wonderful people. We will celebrate Canadian Thanksgiving this year here at home, and look forward to learning more new traditions and sharing more new customs.

Hugs and Kisses.