Kristine is at the MTC

Since the MTC is a curb-drop off site now we took a few minutes at Grandpa's to get a picture of Kristine. Doesn't she look like a lovely missionary? We are so pleased that she has a desire and the opportunity to serve a mission. We know that she will have a wonderful experience and will serve well.

3 1/2 Weeks

This is a very full blog covering the 3 1/2 weeks that Kristine was home. Here she is arriving at the airport from Jerusalem with the part of the group (with a few nieces and nephews) that flew into SLC.


She requested that her first meal to not be kosher. Here she is with Baconator and a Frosty.
We then headed to Provo to see Grandpa perform in "The Christmas Miracle of Jonathon Toomey".

After a few days on Vernal we were off to Manti to Abbie's wedding. Here are 4 of the RACKSMs.

Missionary shopping and the Mount Timpanogas Temple.

Her winnings from "The Price Is Right" arrived!

Then the family started arriving! Here is Clair. I didn't get a picture of her on our indoor Little Tikes slide. After she figured how to climb up the stairs then turn around the landing and then slide down on her stomach, feet first, we could hardly keep her off of it.

Monson was on the go until he couldn't take it any longer:

Eliza took care of him...(notice the little, pink doll nightgown).

Since we are so spread across the country we had an un-birthday party complete with pizza, balloons, cake and ice cream. Monson arrived at the party in a "Big Brother" t-shirt. It was a fun way to announce the new one due in August. In the doll clothes box were two nightgowns that I had made. One for the doll and one that would fit a little girl. Eliza wore the nightgown as often as she could.

We had gifts for everyone at the party.

The balloons were Clair's favorite.

Heather's sister-in law made these darling hats. Thanks Marcie! Here is Clair-Bear:

And "Monster".

And girly, girl!

We had an quick family photo shoot:

On New Year's Eve some of us took the little ones and went to the museum...

Others went shooting...

Kristine wanted a bonfire on New Year's Eve. Here we are getting the fire going so we could have some s'mores.

Kristine spoke in Sacrament Meeting on New Year's Day. It was a wonderful meeting with many family members and friends there to support her. Afterwards, we fed 68 a tasty waffle bar brunch.

We had hoped to have a snow day on January 2nd, or at least that week sometime, but the weather this year is not cooperating so it was off to Dinah Bowl...

And the Quarry...

And Jump-N-Jivin' ...

We are looking forward to all of us being together in 18 months when Kristine returns from her mission!