Thanksgiving and Things

Well, once again it seems I have waited too long to write about some of life's wonderments. At the beginning of November I was released as bishop. I was blessed to serve for over 6 years and it was a great learning experience. I was honored to serve with so many wonderful people. I will miss certain aspects of it, but am happy to see Bishop Prete now hold the keys!
My brother, Carl, and I ran the Turkey Trot again this year on Thanksgiving morning. Chantel's friend, Austin, who had run the St. George Marathon a month or two ago, was at our house listening to us talk about running the race. My wife was goading him on that a forty-something year old guy would beat him (a 21 year old) in the run. So, to keep whatever manhood he had left, he agreed to run it with us. We got over to the Rec Center at 7:45 am and it was about 24 degrees. Carl, Austin and I stood there in the road with the hundreds of other people, jumping around, waiting and trying to stay warm! Shoot the stinkin' gun and get us going!!! Finally we were off. The picture Chantel took of the start of the race- you can barely see me at the top left of the photo (my white long sleeve shirt and black shorts). Can you find Carl in his orange gear? I guess he was making sure he didn't get shot by any stray hunters.
Austin was in front of me for the first hundred feet and apparently didn't see me move to the right and pass him. Oh well. I had a good run. OK, I was so specific with my girls to make sure they actually get a photo of me finishing the race! Somehow that never seems to happen-- oh, hey, there he goes... and I end up with a back shot. Chantel was out on Center Street as I passed her by and I thought "she's gonna miss me coming in". She was waiting to see Austin come by. He was mad that I had already passed by. So, I truck it on in to the finish line and finished at 27:10 for the 4 mile run. I was really hoping to be under 27, but maybe next year. And of course Chantel didn't get any pictures of me. Lots of Austin coming in, but not of her dad. Oh well, I figured as much. The sad part was some teenage kid behind me. As we were waiting to have the crew take our tags, I notice this kid has the goopy-spit all over his mouth and nose. But upon further review (I'm trying not to look too hard) he has barf all over himself. My daughters and niece's said that as he finished he started barfing. Lovely. Anyway, the last run picture is the three of us after the race.
We went to Carl's for Thanksgiving dinner. My cousin, Gary, and his family came as well. Many of you know I am not a big turkey fan, but Ivette cooked a beautiful bird. Gary and I took turns trying to carve it. Wow, we were pathetic. Gary was mocking that I got to use a real knife where he had a butter knife. Lots of yummy food. We played Sequence and as always we marvel at how the womenfolk all cheat. (we have to say that because we always lose). A rousing game of spoons ensued, too. Austin came over. He is both a Dallas Cowboys fan and a Ute fan. Geeze, if things get serious with him and Chantel, he and I are going to have to have a wee talk. It was fun having my nephew Taylor there, too.
I put the Christmas tree up on Saturday and for Family Night we decorated it. We joke that the tree is our heater because after having the lights on for an hour the living room is about 500 degrees! The cats love to lay under it.
Can't believe the Wakefield's are moving next week! I think we are all in denial about it. I think Jayton has a fear of losing a race to some old guy and is taking off. They say they are coming back in 3 years. Just long enough for me to be slowing down. He doesn't understand that I have found the fountain of youth and it is called Fiber One!!!