Annual Howes Christmas Party and Family Reunion

Each year shortly before, or after Christmas the Howes' get together for their annual Christmas Party and Family Reunion. This year the event was held in Pocatello Idaho, and hosted by Troy and Susan Ruud. They did an awesome job! The next few post are all about this years reunion! I hope you all enjoy!

Craig

The Breakfast

We started the day off with a great breakfast, prepared by Troy and Susan. The quiche was outstanding!

Chowing Down

What a great way to start the day

Photos taken: December 22, 2007

The Activities

There were several activities to participate in throughout the day. You may notice that Ruby stands out in most of these photos. Out of all the Grandkids and Great Grandkids Ruby is the ONLY GIRL that is under the age of 20! There are 4 granddaughters that are over 20, but poor Ruby is all alone amoungst the younger kids!

Ruby and some of the boys make cookies

Look how clean they all are!

Preston shows off his talents!

Look at all that flour

Photos taken: December 22, 2007

The Nativity

The kids, with the help of Aunt Susan, and Aunt Kerrie, put on a play of the Nativity. They did a very good job!

Payten as an Angel

Ruby (as Mary), being the only girl she was a shoe in for the part. Preston as Joseph, and Spencer as a Shepard.

Calvin, Ryan, and Dalton as the wise men - Ruby, Preston and Spencer.

Photos taken: December 22, 2007

The Dinner

Saturday afternoon we had a holiday dinner. Boy were there some good food served up. Racheal made her pomegranate fruit salad, we had turkey, garlic mashed potato's, and all the trimmings. I am going to share some of our families best recipes starting with Kerrie's stuffed sausage mushrooms. They are the best! She certainly wins the award for the best appetizer! Yum Yum!

Photo taken: December 22, 2007

The Evening Program

Jay, Tristin, Racheal (sister), and Casetin Gubler, and Angie

Grandpa Reads a Story

Sister Kerrie (Smith) and Brother Jared

Jared is holding Preston, Kerrie is holding Jackston

Grandma

Brother in Law Jared (Smith) with Sons Jackston and Dalton

Brother Trent

Niece Marie, Wife Angela, and Son Spencer

Brother Randy and his wife Angie

Troy and Susan (sister) Ruud

Sit down Jared it is time for the Movie!

Photos taken: December 22, 2007

The Gift Giving

The moment the kids have been waiting for all night has finally arrived. It is time for the gifts. We each buy a $5 gift to exchange. It is tradition to start with the youngest and work up to the oldest.

Aunt Kerrie and Aunt Rachael help some of the younger kids with their gifts. Carson, Payton, and KK each receive a present as Ruby looks on.

Casetin

Spencer with his Helicopter. He and Preston received gifts from Paxton and Jackson, the other twins in the family.

Preston with his helicopter. Payten and Jackstons Dad is a pilot...Hmmm I wonder why they gave helicopters!

Carson shows his air pop gun! His Dad is so happy that he got a shooting toy!

Ruby begins to open up her gift. It is a fishing pole. Caleb gave the fishing pole, he did not know Ruby would get it - his Mom and Dad are a bit concerned when they see that Ruby has the fishing pole. But hey Ruby is very happy with it....She loves to fish!

Grandma made blankets for all the grandkids and great grandkids. I found it amazing that she did not use the same material twice! Every blanket was unique and fit the personality of each grandkid.

Who do you think Ryan cheers for? He is true blue, through and through.

Tristin

Spencer

Jordan

Calvin and Caleb sport their new blankets.

Ah Payten looks so warm! (I think it is Payten, he is a twin, could be Jackston)

Photo taken: December 22, 2007

Where Have We Been?

I haven't posted in a while. We have been busy with the holidays, and Grandma and Grandpa Wooner gave Ruby a 'Digital Arts Studio' for Christmas, which hooks up to the computer, and which the kids continually use. All of which is why I am behind on posting. Lets see if we can catch up!

Come on Dad, Lets Open Presents!

Photo Taken: December 25, 2007

The Big Production

Ruby and Caitlyn Julander (Mrs Clause) are seen here singing, in front of center stage. Brock Slaughter, our next door neighbor, is in the red up front playing the bells.

Santa's workshop. The mailman has found a letter mailed by Miss Crabtree several years earlier when she was just a girl. The letter never made it to Santa, until now.

Ruby passes out hot cocoa to Santa and his helpers.

Ruby and Caitlyn sang a duet together. They did an awesome job, and drew the loudest and longest applause of the night!

The Play was directed by Scott Ericksen and Debra Merrit. They deserve a lot of credit. The play was very well rehearsed and we all had a lot of fun watching the young actors preform for us.

Photos taken: December 20, 2007

Opening Night

Several weeks ago Ruby tried out for the annual Afton Elementary Christmas play. She tried for the lead role of Miss Crabtree.

She didn't land the lead, however she was offered the opportunity to be in the main cast of 15 actors. She played Santa and Mrs. Clauses maid at the North Pole.

Ruby posed for this picture shortly before we left for tonight's performance. Angela helped her with her costume and makeup and did a wonderful job as always.

Tomorrow we will post pictures from the play itself.

Photo taken: December 20, 2007

Warm and Cozy

A seat next to the fire is a favorite spot for the kids just before bed. Ruby, in her jammies, enjoys the heat before hitting the hay.

Photo taken: December 18, 2007

Gingerbread Houses Made of Graham Crackers?

Spencer and Preston made these masterful gingerbread houses at school. (Spencer's is on the left, Preston's on the right). We plan on keeping these works of art on display through the holiday, if at all possible. We will have to watch Preston, we caught him picking at his, and even licking it! YHEW!

Photo taken: December 18, 2007

A Pair of Rudolfs

Spencer and Preston Don their New Noses

Photo Taken: December 17, 2007

Hot Cocoa Deluxe (with caramel)!

There is nothing quite like a cup of hot cocoa on a cold winters night! It has been very cold and snowy the last week, and snow is in the forecast for the next several days. So tonight we made our special hot cocoa. It is oh so much better than the powder and hot water stuff from the store. I hope you enjoy our families recipe for the best hot cocoa you'll ever taste!


Photo taken: December 15, 2007

Blueberrie Cheese Pie

This is absolutely a family favorite! Angela has made this cheese pie for many occasions and it is often requested from others for her to make! I love it! and it is great for the holidays!

It has two parts. First a recipe for the crust, and then the recipe for the pie.

Try this one, you will not be disappointed!

Is it March?

We have a tradition in our house! When it is your birthday you get to pick what to have for dinner! I have had a T-bone steak and potato for dinner for the last 40 years. I use to have french fries when I was younger, but the last few years I have opted for a baked potato. A 'red' potato.

A few nights ago I came home from work and Angela put this on the table! And topped with sauted onions and mushrooms! And it wasn't even my birthday!

Photo taken: December 5, 2007

The Bakers of Star Valley

When Angela was pregnant with Melissa in 1983, her mother confided in her that she had a brother somewhere that Angela had never knew about. When Janet, Angela's mother, was 17 she became pregnant. Single and unable to raise a baby on her own, she gave the baby up for adoption.

In 1995 Janet surprised Angela again. This time the brother she never knew was coming to Fallon to meet the family. That is when we met Ross. Ross was living near Seattle at the time with his family. Recently Ross and his family moved to Salt Lake City.

Angela and Ross were talking on the phone the other day. Ross mentioned to Angela that his adopted families ancestors were from Star Valley, the Bakers. When Angela mentioned this to me, I remembered a historical landmark here in the valley.



At the South end of Etna, along side US Highway 89, sits the historical Baker Cabin.

The cabin was built in 1889 and belonged to Alonzo and Anna Eliza Baker. It is the oldest surviving house built in Star Valley. I am impressed with the fact the cabin was built by Anna Eliza and her 12 year old daughter May. Also; that this was a house for a family with 12 children! Our house isn't that small after all!

Alonzo and Anna Eliza are Ross's adopted Ancestors.

Ross mentioned that he has wanted to visit Star Valley, and see where his family is from. Now that he lives only three hours away, maybe one day soon we will have a visit from Ross!

Photos taken by Angela: December 7, 2007