Driving Lessons with Bryson

Bryson has his learner's permit for driving now, he's actually had it for a while - the kids can get it when they turn 15. I was primarily the one who took the older 3 kids out to practice driving when they had their learner's, so I excited to be able to go out with Bryson. This picture was taken the first and last day I took him out on the road. We'd already spent time during earlier days practicing in the parking lot and neighborhood. Bryson did such a good job. I was impressed with his calmness. H really is and will be a good driver.

It isn't his driving at all that causes me to stop driving with him. It's my heart. I wasn't really nervous driving with him, but because he's just learning and I was the one teaching him, I had extra adrenaline flowing in my veins - and that made my heart stress out. It calmed down easily once we came home and I was able to take my meds, but there isn't any reason to stress my heart when I can prevent it.

(I don't know why that first line is underlined, and can't figure out to to take it off - oh well. haha)

Christmas 2009

Bryson putting ornaments on the tree.










Cathi unwrapping bells and ornaments for Bryson to put on display.












Our Christmas animal collection.











My Christmas Village.















Just before turning out the lights on Christmas Eve.













Bryson's excited to open his gifts.











Larry laughing because Cathi gave him the exact same music CD last year: C.W. McCall's Greatest Hits - and he still hasn't listened to the first one! (Maybe that's why she didn't remember giving it to him.)













Cathi got a bird feeder that will hang from her bedroom window.

















Larry opening his book of letters.....













and realizing what it was.








Bryson gave Larry a gift certificate to Weapon Blender, so Larry could get his own airsoft gun and join Bryson in using them.

Niki Got a Haircut

She said she was still getting used to it - it had only been a couple of hours by the time this picture was taken.





John said he thought it looked great! (Smart man!)

"Smile, You're on Candid Camera"

Random.....











Ya.....I know :)

Beware the Wrath of the Children Grown-Up!

A couple of weeks ago, all of our kids happened to be at home on a single day, though not at the same time. It also happened that these boxes of cereal were sitting on the counter top in the kitchen. TWO of our four kids, at separate times said, in almost angry, accusing tones of voices, "Since when did you start buying boxed cereal??"

Larry and I laughed and laughed and laughed. Obviously we seriously deprived our children of something very valuable when we only bought "bagged" cereal during their young, tender years.

So, to our 'concerned" children who will remain anonymous, (hee, hee):
We bought the corn pops so I could eat them when everyone else is eating popcorn. (I don't like have pieces stuck between my teeth.) The crisped rice is left over from rice krispie treat making; the two chex cereals are there because I LIKE chex cereal - and I like to mix wheat and corn together. The frosted flakes and blueberry frosted mini-wheats were only $1.25 a box and we bought them to take on our Oregon trip.
And they were all on the counter top because G&G Chipman had spent the night and we'd gotten them out as possibilities for their breakfast and they hadn't been put away.

Are we forgiven yet?

Hahaha - I hope you've had fun reading this. I've certainly had fun teasing and poking you all a little. Love you tons!!! Mom :-)

Bryson's Solo in "Miracle on 34th Street"

There was a pre-show act for "Miracle on 34th Street", the play Dustin and Bryson were just in. They had various groups sing Christmas carols to help create the right mood for the play. One of the pieces was a young man, dressed as a soldier, singing "I'll Be Home for Christmas". The person who was originally singing the solo had to miss two performances and the play director asked Bryson to fill in.

They included this song because that was the era the play took place in, but it seems equally as fitting for our holidays this year as well.

Bryson did such a great job!

Dustin is standing on the floor below Bryson, slightly to the left, next to the lady in the green coat. He is easier to recognize once he turns around and puts his black dress hat back on.

Enjoy!

The Many Faces of Bryson in "Miracle on 34th Street"

Newsie calling out the headlines.












Full view as a Newsie















A member of the Macy's Annual Christmas Parade Band















Caroler















Macy's toy department store employee

The Many Faces of Dustin in "Miracle on 34th Street"

Santa's Helper









Health Care worker caring for Kris Kringle













Radio D.J.












Court Bailiff







Juggler in the Macy's Christmas Day Parade, and yes, he rally does know how to juggle. That is his own costume and set of juggling balls.










As a Father

Snuck this one in on a time warp...

Doors locked, Engine Running...

Yeah, I'm just that good. B-) , haha

Group Date to "Miracle on 34th Street"

Dustin and Bryson are both in our city's Christmas production of "Miracle on 34th Street". The evening after Thanksgiving was "Family Night" as well as the final dress rehearsal for the cast. It was especially fun to attend with so many wonderful family members. And the play was delightful!

Ice on the Bathroom Window

This is what we found when we woke up this morning. Part of this is because we need new windows, which have been ordered and might be here next week. The other reason there is so much ice is because this is the master bathroom, and we run a vaporizer all night in our bedroom to help my nose from getting too dry.

A view from our front door this morning...

For a contrasting view see A view from our front door this afternoon

Congratulations to Robert on his Externship!

Robert Stratford is Cathi's brother-in-law on her dad''s side. He was just awarded this outstanding externship in Hong Kong, a city both he and Lynda love.
Congratulations!!! We are so excited for you!!!

Announcing the 2010 ICLRS Student Research Fellows

The International Center for Law and Religion Studies announces the Student Research Fellows for 2010,
and the locations of their summer externship assignments.

Keith Barlow – Salt Lake City, Utah
Heath Becker – Guatemala City, Guatemala
Kristina Hardy – Mexico City, Mexico
Bryan Holm – Auckland, New Zealand
George Monsivais – Salt Lake City, Utah
Rebecca Nelson – Lima, Peru
Lori Olsen – Johannesburg, South Africa
Julie Slater – Accra, Ghana
Robert Stratford – Hong Kong, China
Jordan Teuscher – Kiev, Ukraine
Adam Thompson – Auckland, New Zealand
Elizabeth Willian – Frankfurt, Germany
M. Preston Gardner – São Paulo, Brazil

The Student Research Fellows Program provides an opportunity for law students to combine an international externship with significant research and writing in the area of freedom of religion or belief. The Center congratulates the outstanding students who have been selected this year and looks forward to the contributions of these fine young scholars to our ongoing work, worldwide and here at the J. Reuben Clark Law School.

Chipman Family Newletter and Collage 2009

December 2009
Dear Friends and Family,

How grateful we are for this wonderful season of the year. It is a time to reflect on the life and teachings of our Savior, Jesus Christ. It is a time to more fully focus on the many blessings we have been given. And, thankfully, it is a time that creates a desire to reach out and connect with those we love, but may not often see.
It’s been a couple of years since we sent out a family newsletter and there have been several changes in our family. We hope you enjoy reading about them.
Dustin lives in an apartment in Murray, not far from us. He earned his Associate Degree in General Education in 2007 and plans to return to full-time school in the near future. He works as a trainer and quality assurance staff member for the courier department of IHC. He has organized several social events at work, including softball teams and fantasy sports leagues. He also enjoys reading and playing video games.
Christopher married Briana Beatse on December 27, 2008 in the Mt. Timpanogos Temple. “Bri” brings many new talents to our family and we enjoy having her in our family. She will graduate from BYU in December 2010 with a Bachelor’s degree in Theater Arts Education. Christopher plans to graduate from BYU in April 2012 with a Master’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering and Technologies. They enjoy live theater and playing board games.
Niki married John Adams on September 12, 2009, also in the Mt. Timpanogos Temple. John also brings new talents and we feel blessed to have him in our family. John and Niki live in Orem and are both working full-time, saving money for school. Niki has completed 1 1/2 of 4 years in her American Sign Language Interpretation and Deaf Studies program and currently works in the bakery department at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center. John works as an assembly technician at Traco Manufacturing. They enjoy walks in the park and cooking together.
Bryson, 15, is a sophomore at West Jordan High school and enjoys almost every minute of it. He loves soccer: is the keeper (goalie) on both a community competitive team and his high school team; his favorite professional team is Liverpool (England), followed closely by ReAL Salt Lake. He also loves all things World War II and anything having to do with the Marine Corp. We are grateful for all the help he gives us at home and are especially grateful he is still at home. We are not ready to be empty-nesters!!
Cathi is happy to be at home and enjoys spending time with family and friends. Although her health is slowly declining due to side effects of systemic scleroderma, she continues to be as active as possible. She loves to participate in book club; family gatherings; and create picture books and other memories for her children and extended family. The greatest blessings in her life are the gospel; Larry and their 6 children; the many family and friends who provide assistance and bring her joy; and her new support team, Rocky Mountain Hospice. She serves as ward website chairman and ward historian.
Larry is THE MAN!!! He is the one who keeps us all going. He is Manager of the Refuse Collection Department of Salt Lake County; does all of the shopping, cooking, cleaning, laundry and redecorating of our home; as well as giving loving, compassionate care to Cathi; and serves as High Priest Group Leader in our ward. When he actually has a few minutes to himself, he enjoys watching movies, hiking to waterfalls and photography.
The newest member of our family hasn’t formally arrived yet. Christopher and Bri are expecting their first child, and thus our first grandchild, the middle of May 2010. We’re going to be GRANDPARENTS!!! Of a sweet, precious angel who, even as we write and read this, is in the presence of our Father in Heaven and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Which brings us back to the beginning: We stand as witnesses that Our Father in Heaven and His Son, Jesus Christ live. More importantly, we know They Love us – and you. We know this because the Spirit has testified of these realities to us many times.
May you feel Their Love and Our Love with you this Christmas season and always.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!