February 2009 - George vs the "Squirrel"

Well, late last year we started to hear tiny pitter patters in the ceiling. Turned out not to be Santa Claus on the roof....but a Squirrel in the attic. I made a valiant effort to catch the squirrel with our newly acquired "have-a-heart" trap. Over a 6-8 week period, the score was Squirrel "8"; Daddy "0". He got the bait food; Tripped the trap; But always escaped. He was living the life of Riley. Warm bed and 3 square meals a day! It became Personal with me!! (Think Bill Murray and Caddyshack!). Unlike Bill Murray, I finally got him! Actually, I got two of 'em...and counting. George and I think we found the entry point in the roof . We patched it up yesterday with metal mesh. Hopefully, the only squirrels we will enjoy in the future will be the the squirrels on our "Deck"!

Trying to coax the squirrel into the cage............

Visualize the squirrel in the cage........

After 8 weeks, I started to Hallucinate about squirrels everywhere!.........

Got him.............!!!!

Seconds before being released.....(8 miles from our house!......didn't want him coming back for the free room and board)

January 2009 - A nice visit from the Grandkids!

Buffy and the Kids come for a visit in January (2009)

"Caught you!"....Eleanor, trying to sneak in a Harry Potter DVD into our TV schedule......

Gigi demostrating the proper technique for helping Grandma cook in the kitchen....

Everything Tastes better with Ice Cream!!

James and Gigi trying out Little George's Christmas present (waffle maker)

Christmas 2008

We had a great, relaxing Christmas this year. Mostly "Family Down Time". We read, watched movies, helped out on a couple of service projects. Baby George had a couple of parties at the house. After our stake New Year's Eve dance, George invited a number of the YM/YW over for a waffle breakfast. They ate, and played games until around 4:00 AM. Some of the YM spent the night at our house.....they woke up around 8:00 AM and went to the Ward football game. I thought they played quite well given the amount of sleep they had! Allison had a small get together at the house last night with college friends home from school, and other friends from the ward. They ate pizza, talked, watched movies, etc. Low key and enjoyable. Allison is flying back to BYU today (Jan 2nd). Overall, we had a very nice, memorable holiday. Now back to work!!

Gigi "Carefully" opening a present

James excited about opening another present!

Eleanor tasting her present.......

Priest's "Date Night" at the West Home

The Christmas Story - Christmas Eve
Christmas Morning Breakfast

George & Allison - Christmas Morning

Allison and George - Nintendo Wii "Boxing Match"

Allison and Anne - On their way to New Year's Eve Young Single Adult Dance

George & Friends - New Year's Eve Dance

George Cooking Breakfast for Friends - Early New Years Day

George - New Year's Day Ward Football Game

Allison, George & Friends - New Year's Day Socializing

Heidi Joins the West Family!!!

Anthony & Heidi - Winter Quarters Temple The "Blushing Bride"groom.......



The happy couple and AJ's Brothers

The Happy Couple and AJ's Sisters

The family socializing in the motel suite

James making Balloon Animals at pre-wedding family dinner

AJ & George singing at pre-wedding dinner

Allison & Buffy doing "hand clap" at family dinner

Hiedi and AJ "looking forward" to the future......

West Family Halloween

Charity, James and Allison - The Zelda Bunch

Heidi - Welcome to the NFL!

Kate Cheering on the Star Wars Clan

The Mummy meets the Princess

Eleanor - Picking Peas.....

Halloween 2008 (Youth Dance)

Big George and Little George

Little George and Heather Barker

Additional Cleveland Trip Pictures

AJ, Chauncey and George....our first trip to an NFL Game (Monday Night Football, Cleveland Browns vs NY Giants - Oct 13, 2008)!

The boys enjoying the came in the "Cleveland Dogpound" (before the Cleveland fans arrived!!!.....)

Steve Young preparing for the Monday Night Football Pre Game Show

Additional Cleveland Trip Pictures

George & Jackson Checking out the new "Grass Top" memory foam mattress!












AJ, George, Chauncey, Chauncey II, and Jackson at the Football Hall of Fame in Canton Ohio

















Football Hall of Fame

















Football Hall of Fame (Giants Section)













Big George, AJ, George & Chauncey at Cleveland Stadium...Oct 13, 2008, Monday Night Football

Oct Cleveland Trip - NY Giants Monday Night Football

AJ and Bella.












George, AJ & Chauncey watching BYU and UNM football game (watched in lecture hall at Case Western Dental School)










George & Bella












Ruth, George and Bella












Chauncey, Melanie & Bella; Grounds of the Kirkland Ohio Temple

We had a wonderful trip to Cleveland this past weekend to visit with Chauncey, Melanie and family (October 11-14th). We blessed beautiful Bella Ruth West on Sunday; We visited the Football Hall of Fame on Monday. We went to the NY Giants and Cleveland Browns Monday Night Football game (fantastic game.....unfortunately, not for the Giants!!). The drive through the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia....and the mountains of West Virginia was an unexpected highlight for me. The colors of fall were amazing. It was a great trip.