Friends

Last November Derrell Foote was released from his calling as the President of the Morgan Hill Stake, a position he held for almost 10 years. We have had the opportunity of knowing and working with Lauralee and Derrell for over 20 years. What great friends and examples they have been. As they begin a new phase of life and church service we want to wish them well and thank them for tireless service in the stake and community.

Just before Christmas the Harris family went to Salt Lake with Reed's sisters, their mom Wilma and aunt Norma.

Wade gave us a new look for the New Year. While Reed was in Louisville as Wade's case for a seminar he had the pleasure of seeing Mike Shane who was also participating in the seminar. That was an unexpected pleasure. The expected pleasure was the great results he got from Wade's handy work. Thanks Wade.
My work was done in Idaho------giving me an excuse to stay a week two different times with Wade and Elizabeth and the kids. Thanks Wade------don't you love taking your patients home with you?
We owe a big thanks to Mike Gniewosz for taking the photos. How nice to have a couple of sons-in-law to help you look better!

Happy New Year!!! Since I haven't done a post since January of 2008 I thought I would do a year in review. Then maybe I will be able to keep this up to date.

This is how Reed worked on closing out 2007. Actually this was Christmas day.

When I put my post together last year I didn't have a current photo of Adam and the kids. It took me a while to get them to sit still for this photo------then I didn't get it posted.

February: Reed and I had a little get away in February and went to Carmel. It was lovely just to walk around and eat and be aimless.

I decided to take this handsome guy with me for the getaway!!!

March: Jess and Cat and family were supposed to come to our house to celebrate Jess's 31st birthday.

Turned out Jess was sick-----so we took the party to him. He looks really excited about that.
I have made an ice cream cake for Jess's birthday since he was 10. Chocolate cake and mint and chip ice cream------always. Since his birthday is on St. Patricks day I have to be sure to get the mint and chip ice cream before it sells out.

May: Another birthday----we have lots of them in this family. Reed's birthday is May 28th and Michael's is May 29th so they often celebrate together.

This is Reed the day of the celebration-------he certainly looks festive. We did give him presents too.

June: Another birthday boy. Logan on his 6th birthday. Those dimples are almost edible.

This is Logan's cake but all the guys are excited. Good work Cat----some race track!!!

June.

This was the beginning of an exciting day. Braces are going to come off in an hour. I haven't gotten the "take my own picture" thing down.

Later the same day-------braces off. This was the first, actually second, stage of getting my Grill fixed. Wade is in charge of the last stage, and is doing a great job.

This is how some of the guys do the beach.

July: The girls decided to help me celebrate my 65th birthday with a trip to Las Vegas. I had a business meeting so the girls went with me. Cara flew to California then Bille, Cara and I drove to Las Vegas. Elizabeth flew into Vegas with Devan and we spent Thursday, Friday and Saturday together playing. The girls played while I was in meetings-----we all played when I wasn't.

I really was there but the only picture I had of me was not going to make to this site. Cute aren't they.

July: We were at Cara and Doug's for Clint's baptism. When I went through my photos I could not find one of Clint----how sad is that?!?

Nikki Pilling

Max Pilling - such a happy boy, probably thinking about the tooth fairy.

In case you didn't get it the first time.

Whitney Pilling. Say cheese.

Devan Pilling. No wonder I can't stop kissing her.

August: Adam's birthday. His birthday "cake" is cheese cake. Didn't want to melt the cake so we did the token candles.

August: Ariel came to California for a visit. These two don't get a lot of time together----they had a good time. Grandma enjoys being with them. One day they got on the train in San Jose and went to visit Mike and Bille in San Francisco.

August 17th: Kadance Grandy's birthday. After those three adorable boys we now have an adorable girl.

August: Grandma takes a couple of the boys to the beach. We had great weather and plenty of sand. You should have seen my car afterword.

September: A trip to Louisville, Kentucy. Reed was Wade's "case" for a dental seminar. Elizabeth and I decided to tag along for the fun of it. We did have fun. This huge mirror was outside of the Louisville Discovery Center.

I don't remember what this is but its cute. Dont you love those pjs?

Novembeer: November 8th was Kadance's blessing day. She wore the same christening gown her mother wore. She is so sweet. She has the trademark dimple on her chin.

December: Alex's 13th birthday. Enciladas and chocolate pie. Alex got her braces on in November------I can sympathize.

December: The weather started to turn quite cold (for Morgan Hill) and this dog doesn't have enough fur. So I decided to make him a sweater. In the holiday issure of Martha Stewart there was an article about making things out of felted wool. I had purchased some used sweaters at the DI and washed them until they we felted with the intention of making some cute stuffed toys. The toys aren't finished yet but I got the bright idea of making a sweater of Gizz (short for Gizzmo). It was easy. I just cut a sleeve off, used the cuff for the turtle neck and cut holes for his front legs. I rolled the sweater up because it was too long. For what should be obvious reasons I didn't make holes for the back legs. The neat thing about the felted wool is that it doesn't unravel when it is cut. The dog wasn't too sure at first but later was running around the yard as usual. Gizz is Adam's dog but resides at our house----which is ok since he and Tipp (our border collie) keep each other company. Will post a picture of Tipp later.

Pretty sad when the dog gets more blog than the family!!!

A few photos of Christmas at our house. This is Nathan, age 8. Mikey was taking some of these photos.

Alexandra .

Jess and Cat.

Mikey doing a self portrait.

The end of a full Christmas Day-----a casual meal, looks like everyone is bored.

Bille and Mike being the great aunt and uncle.

Do I really have to eat this ham? It's Christmas!

The Christmas tree a few days before Christmas---------where are the presents? Oh that's right, Santa hasn't come yet.

We had a "linger longer" after church today----time to visit and share some goodies. They were taking family photos to put on the bulletin board. We haven't had our photo up this past year. I was determined to have our photo so people would know I have a husband, one that even goes to church. Reed has a responsibility for one of the Spanish speaking branches in our stake and attends the Spanish Branch more than he does our ward. In fact he didn't go to church with me but made it back in time for the "linger longer".

Some how this thing seems to be getting the best of me. The whole blogging idea is fun and can be creative-----that seems to be eluding me. It takes me so much time to do a post that my whole Christmas letter/picture thing has sort of flopped. But keep checking, I am sure I will get photos etc. on here before next Christmas. It doesn't look like too many people have checked my blog----or it is just so boring that no one feels inclined to comment ( or is too nice to make the comments). Now should this sound like I am whinning----I think I am. BUT enough of that.

A little overall news about our family. This year we have added one new grandchild, Devin Elizabeth Pilling, born September 25th. to Wade and Elizabeth. Devin's mom ran a half marathon when she was 5 months pregant-----could that have helped the 45 minute delivery?!? Wade's dental practice seems to be growing to keep up with the growing family.

We have another college grad, Mike Gniewosz, Bille's husband. Mike received his degree in history from BYU Hawaii in April. They decided to stay on and work and play in Hawaii for awhile and will be returning to the mainland January 10th to pursue Mike's MBA-----not sure where yet. After Elizabeth's accomplishment (the 1/2 marathon) Bille decided to give it a try and ran the marathon in Honolulu on December 9th. Check their blog for photos.

Jess and Cat moved to Mountain House, CA in August. It is about 60-70 minutes away. It has improved Jess's commute to work (read that shortened the time) and given them a lot more living space. Nathan is in 2nd grade and Logan started kindergarten in September-----his teacher is also the primary chorister in their ward. They are all happy with the move-----could that have anything to do with grandchild #17 on the way?

Tammie is still in Kansas and her daughter Demetria is 5. I am waiting for some current photos but she must be growing by leaps and bounds since I was directed to send size 7 clothes!!!!

Eddie is in Indianna, and must like it because he hasn't been out this way for a long time. His kids are still in California with their mom. Danny is 14 and Samantha is 16.

Adam has moved into the apartment----this is nice. We are really glad he hasn't moved away too. I am sure he likes it the most since but it is nice to have him close and also his kids. Alex just turned twelve-----pictures to follow, and Mikey is 9 and very much into sports. Actually they are both involved in sports much of the year.

Cara and Doug and kids are still in Logan, Utah. We were fortunate to spend Thanksgiving with them-----before the weather got too cold there! Ariel is a junior and Justin a sophmore, while they are growing up, we are just getting older. When does growing up stop and getting older start?

We are well and happy and so grateful for all of our blessings. Our family and friends make up much of our blessings. We are grateful for the Savior, his birth and life and the gift of eternal life.

Especially we are grateful for the peace this knowledge brings us. As you read this we hope you are experiencing peace and joy and happiness.