Family Reunion T-shirt Ideas

Dear Family,

So far I have received only one persons ideas for the reunion t-shirts. Some have given me ideas by word but I have since forgotten them. If you remember them please email me your ideas. I have decided that the END OF JAN. will be the deadline for the t-shirt contest. Then I will meet with the heads of the Family (De, Rona, Jacque, Terry, Lynn and Janell) and show the designs to them. They will decide who wins.

Kim

Meinzer Family Reunion 2010

Everything in Blue are things that are still open and need volunteers for.


Meinzer Family Reunion 2010

Emigrant Lake, Ashland, Oregon

June 14-19, 2010

Check in time will be 10:00a.m on the 14th.

Reservations:

Kim Pavilion “A” picnic area

Kim Group Campground

Kim RV spot #21

Family Headcount:

Kim T-Shirts:

Design Contest

Theme Contest

Kim Cars (Need to know how many for the parking passes that each car has to display on their dashboard.)

Camping Spot: (Were garbage bags provided???)

Chairs (Bring your own)

Shade (Everyone who has a wikiup/shade thingy bring it. We need lots of shade, remember last year?)

Enclosed play area for babies/toddlers???????

Showers (Coin operated, bring quarters. Cost 75 cents for 4 minutes)

Campfire: (Wood, paper and matches)

Fireside Chats:

uTerry Healthcare/Shopping for Insurance

uTerry Current Economic Conditions

Loans ?????

Scout MB Counselors in our family (Counselors(Parents go to this web page

http://meritbadge.org/wiki/index.php/Merit_Badge_Worksheets

scroll down to the MB you want, click on PDF, print off the worksheet and start working on the MB now. Counselors need to know who is interested so they can bring what is needed for the MB’s.)

Kim (Genealogy, Reading, Family Life)

Terry T. (Computers, Cinematography)

Kip (Backpacking, Composite Materials, Fishing, Home Repairs,

Model Design and Building, Snow Sports and Wood

Carving)

Jennifer C (Citizenship in the Community, Cooking, Family Life,

Genealogy, and Reading)

Others, add yourself to this list??

Other topics of interest?????

Food: (Correlate pots, pans, utensils, condiments, hot chocolate, etc needed with each other. By doing so,

you will cut down on duplication and have extra space in your trunk.)

Paper Products (plates, bowls, juice/milk & hot chocolate cups, napkins), utensils (knives, forks, spoons)

for all meals plus garbage bags (Those who have the spring popup garbage

containers bring them.)

Breakfasts:

Tav Tues. Pancakes, Sausage, OJ, Cantaloupe

Bryan Wed. Breakfast burritos (tortillas, eggs, salsa, cheese), grapes, hot chocolate

Thurs.

Fri.

Sat. (cold cereals???)

Lunches: Purchase your own, and cleanup after yourselves.

Dinner:

Mon. (Provide your own.) ?????????????

Tues.

Wed. (Possibly be someone who will not be going on the rafting trip or something simple on the BBQ)

Thurs.

Fri.

Evening Treats: (Smores w/ roasting sticks, pie, ice cream, cakes, candy, what ever)

Activities: (Bring needed equipment, possible awards. If Rafting, Rogue River Hydro Jet Boats, Shakespeare Plays,

and the Waterslide interest you as a family then you will pay for these yourself).

uTerry Rafting (You pay in advance, full day adventure, lunch, shuttle, life vests provided, children bring own life

vests)

Rogue River Hydro Jet Boats (Go to their web page for prices) http://www.mailboat.com/

Shakespeare Plays (Check out this web site for shows and ticket prices. www.osfashland.org

“She Loves Me” and “Pride and Prejudice” I was told are clean and family friendly. Besides evening performances there are matinees.)

Rona Crafts (bring all supplies)

Jennifer M

Becky

Boating (Reminder to those with children, bring your own life vests. Those with boats only have responsibility

of boating with the whole family on the day they sign up for. The rest of the week is free time for

them and for whom ever they want on their boat.

Judkins Tues. (Wed. Thurs. Fri. is free time)

April Thurs. (Tues. Wed. Fri. is free time)

Lynn Fri. (Tues. Wed. Thurs. is free time)

De Boating Scheduler (Make a day/time sheet of who goes on the boats. Possible poster board where

individuals can sign up and keep track of their own turn).

Waterslide - Emigrant Lake • Hours: 12pm to 6pm • (You pay for this yourselves)

1.5 Hour Weekday Wristband $6.00 ea Monday, Thursday & Friday ONLY Starts every 1/2 hour

3 Hour Weekday Wristband $10.00 ea Monday, Thursday & Friday ONLY Starts every 1/2 hour

3 Hour Wristband Group Special $1.00 off each person Minimum of 10 people

Equipment Rental (Waterslide Only) $ .50 Life Vests

uTerry Polar Bear Swim (7/8am Tues, Thurs, Fri. with awards Fri night.)

Games (Equipment needs to be brought for each.)

Horse Shoes (This is a maybe because last year tents were set up over the pits. Are there other pits

around?)

Tyler T Volleyball Tournament (Nets already there)

Noelle Frisbee and Ultimate Frisbee

Skits

Swimming Races

Croquet Tournament

Hide-and-Go-Seek

Kick the Can

Steal the Flag

Russell??? Marshmallow gun wars

Terry T Karaoke

Movie Night (Screen or white sheet, movie projector, wires, extension cords and all that is needed)

Popcorn (Air poppers or pans to pop corn which will need butter/salt, no microwave available unless

someone brings one to plug in at the Pavilion)

Photography - Tierra (and Tyler?) Do we want a photo book like last time?

DO NOT’S

**Pets are not allowed in the day use/group picnic areas. They are allowed in the campground on a secured leash at all times.

**No water balloons or piñatas.

From the Ellsworths

This is a comment that Todd and Janene gave in our Christmas Eve post. I just thought it would be good to post it. Thanks Todd and Janene!

Our family was not able to be there with all ofyou but I wanted to include some of my thoughts that I wrote down on Christmas Eve.

We love all of you so very much. Todd and Janene Ellsworth and Kids

Christmas Eve Thoughts 12.24.2009

This past year has given me many thoughts that I would like to share:

-Charity, the pure love of Christ.
-Humility, in knowing who has provided all of my many blessings.
-Forgiveness, for all the mistakes that I make in my life.
-Love, and being loved, in spite of my weaknesses, because it gives me the opportunity to be involved in the lives of others.
-Family, in all of their redeeming qualities and examples.
-Joy, in the little accomplishments that make life meaningful.
-Sorrow, in missed opprotunities to make the difference in the life of another.
-Kindness, in keeping love allive in the hearts of those I love.
-Strength, in knowing that doing well will always bring blessings to everyone around me.
-Faith, in knowing that Jesus Christ is the Lord and Savior of this earth, and our advocate with our father in heaven.
-Peace, in knowing a righteous example inspires other to raise their heads up and work to be better.
-Strength, in living a life worth living with all of the wonderful joys it brings.
-DIligence, in pursuing a worthy uplifting cause in spite of all of the evil that takes place around us.
-Perserverance, though the daily set backs and obstacles that face us each day of our lives.
-Intelligence, used righteously and wisely in the daily application of correct principles.
-Giving, because I am not the only one that is in need.
-Friends, the closest thing to family one can have through the bond of commitment, and compassion, and having the throughout my earth life and into the eternities.
-Service, being prepared and willing to give of my time, talents, and energy, even when it is inconvenient or ill timed.
-Prayer, to stay connected and focused to my Heavenly Father who is the source of all of my blessings.

"A Message from the First Presidency to the Children of the World: The Gift of Christmas.

Christmas is a happy time of year because we celebrate and honor the birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God

While on the earth, Jesus lived a perfect life and set a perfect example for all of us to follow. He also made it possible for us to return to the presence of our Heavenly Father when we leave this life. He is our Savior and our Redeemer.

Jesus taight ustto love one another, He told us to love our neighbors as ourselves, to do unto others as we would want them to do to us, and to pray for and do good to everyone.

...Giving gifts has been a meaningful tradition ever since that first Christmas. The birth of Jesus Christ was a divine gift to all mankind. Shortly after He was born, Wise Men came from afar bringing gifts for the Christ Child.

Christmas gifts do not need to be purchased in stores. We can use our own special talents to make gifts for our families and friends, or we can offer gifts of service to others. Jesus said, "If ye love me , keep my commandments." (John 14:15) One of the most important gifts we can give this Christmas season is to do what He has asked of us."

(LDS.org - Friend Article - A Message from the First Presidency to the Children of the World: The Gift of Christmas, "December, 1986.)

Christmas Letter From The Wrights

December 25, 2009

Dear Family,

Today is Christmas and we are here in the Philippines at 80 degrees with sunshine, palm trees, bananas, and mangos in abundance.

Yesterday we spent the afternoon in a Zone Conference with the Senior Couples zone of the Quezon City Mission. We are Church Service Volunteers and thus are not attached to any mission but they include us in all their activities and we are happy and grateful. Our meeting began with some lovely music and also reports by nine of the couples on their branch assignments. They love the members in their little branches and are grateful for the assignments there. We heard a lovely piano solo by the daughter of President and Sister Ko, 2^nd Counselor in the Area Presidency from Korea. Also singing was a male quartet from our group. The area president, Keith Edwards, and Pres Ko both spoke to us. Then we completed the event with a lovely dinner that we all provided. It was held at the home of the mission president, the Ho Chings. They are from Samoa, and are a very special couple that we love. They finish here next summer and will return home.

We miss all of you and all the Christmas activities. It is very different here. We have a tiny tree with tiny lights behind a Philippine nativity set with capiz shell angels. We had very little shopping to do. No running around or extra meals to prepare. No sleep-overs or added guests. This was quite an unusual thing for us. But we are grateful for all of you and for the Savior whose birth we celebrate. President Edwards spoke about the 19^th chapter of Matthew with the Savior talking about the rich man who was told to go and sell all that he had. Then he spoke to the disciples and told them that (v.25 )…”all who had forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.” We all were feeling a bit sad but trying to keep a cheerful face.

One man among us said that his brother was killed in an auto accident the day before. Some of his family have told him not to come home—others want him to come home. He faces a decision. He was very emotional about the loss of his brother. I remember when Jan died, I could not be consoled until I had been to Rexburg and done my own investigation. Then it became very evident that the Lord was taking him home and then, with that understanding, I had a calm, peaceful feeling and could go on. I am grateful that Janell let me read his mission journal before we left. I see him everywhere here. He was a pied piper for the children and I see him doing that everywhere. Our experience here is at the office, working with the staff and also the YSA in our ward. We also have the privilege of working with wonderful people at the temple, but we don’t speak the language (70 different ones) so our communication is with the English speaking people, of which there are also many. But I see my brother everywhere, but haven’t found anyone yet who knew him. I understand why he loved the people and why they loved him.

Our love and concern for all of you continues in our prayers and service here. We know that God has a plan for all of us and that his loving care stretches out to include all of us. Sometimes being patient with what we don’t yet understand is difficult.

I’m especially grateful for a wonderful mission and life companion that I love. It makes all the difference in the world to serve with someone that knows the Gospel, loves the Lord and with whom we face the same direction in life’s challenges.

We had fireworks last night and firecrackers going off intermittently since about a month ago. We also had a fire that burned a whole section of small houses across the river. Now I see clothes lines back in some of the burned-out shells so life goes on as usual. We live on the 24^th storey of a tall apartment building facing the Marikina River. On the other side is a whole town of small homes and shacks. The river is supposed to flow into the Laguna de Bay Lake, about 8 miles south, except that the river doesn’t flow any more, it has become a pond. The typhoons have caused so many problems with the drainages from the lake that it is not draining either. They have to move 400,000 squatters away from the drainage areas before all this will be corrected. It will be interesting to see how and if this problem is corrected.

We love and appreciate all of you and know that the Gospel is true. We are also grateful for the Savior and all that his plan provides for all his children, everywhere. We are happy to serve in this mission and working hard to get as much accomplished as possible. We love the Lord and the scriptures that we have to assist us in following Him.

May the Lord’s blessings be always with all of you in all that you do everyday. We pray that you will continue to teach your children correct principles and to follow the Savior, for therein lies the safety and consistency in life.

We love the Savior and are grateful to be in a country that focuses on Christ and His Ministry. Traditional Christmas Carrols are played everywhere, radio, TV, the malls and it all begins in Sept. Nativity scenes are displayed at all the churches, in the malls, and various commercial locations. We attended a concert at the University of the Philippines. The Messiah was performed and they sang Christmas Carols. The Department head performed with a beautiful tenor voice, lead the carols and at the end honored the Savior by a special story concerning Christ The spirit touched our hearts and united us with a common bond of love for the Philippino people. Taxi cabs and Jeepneys everywhere reflect scriptural signs and biblical quotations.

I have been reading the new testament, learning again and refreshing my memory of His birth, ministry and teachings, reminding me that we believe not only in his earthly , but the He is the Prince of Peace, our Savior, God and King, that He has reigned everlastingly, in our Premortal existence, from the beginning of this earthly life, and will continue to reign as our Lord of Lord, and King of Kings forever more. May the time quickly come when he will reign personally on the earth and His laws and His government will rule. May it come soon and may we each of us and every one of our family personally meet Him and be embraced by him as He has promised. It is our prayer, and continued desire that each of us will live worthy of that promised privilege. It is our goal, objective, and mission in life to help, assist and to support each in achieving such a marvelous blessing.

Our gratitude abounds for wonderful children and family who willingly give up their parents and support and sustain us in our service so far away. We miss all of you and yearn to once more embrace each of you.

Love to all;,

Elder and Sister Wright

Dad and Mom, Grandpa and Grandma

Philippines Area

Christmas Eve At the Commins

Alright everyone. Here are the pictures I took last night. If you want a copy just right click with your mouse and "save as."

I tried to get pictures of everyone. Sorry if I missed you.
Little Rowan Chavarin. Such a cutie. Doesn't he look like a little man?

Paul and Dena

It's A Girl (Becky and Matt Emhoff)

I guess we have been a little lazy telling eveyone. We are having another baby-March 27th plus or minus:) We just had our ultrasound last week and found out that baby #4 is a girl! That will round things out around here...maybe:) Here are some pictures of her: 4D, profile, hand, and foot. Pretty amazing! Hope you are doing well. I gotta go crack the whip and get Jacob off to school. It is like herding cats!

Love, Becky and Matt

Woodland Events - Dena

Hello family,

I just wanted to let you all know that the Woodland Opera House offers GREAT theater! For one more weekend, they are doing Taming of the Shrew. Paul and I went Friday night, and it was OUTSTANDING! We laughed and laughed--Shakespeare at its best! We are going again, taking three children this Saturday, so if anyone wants to go . . .we can go together! :)

AND . . . Eliani is in the next play, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Eliani has one line, but she is on stage a lot, so as Timothy sums it up: "She is scenery!" :) She is thrilled and is having a LOT of fun! (Isn't it fun to be on stage, learning from a great director and from talented actors?) Anyway, the play runs the weekends of Nov 27th - Dec 20th, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 and Sundays at 2:00. There is also a Saturday matinee at 2:00 on December 12th.

Anyway, go to http://woodlandoperahouse.org/default.aspx for more information!

AND . . . the annual Creche festival will be December 5th and 6th. This festival is sponsored by our church, but it is a community event. The cultural hall becomes a magical land (with lowered lights, drapes, beautiful decorations, live music, Christmas trees, etc.) with the focus on creches from around the world. If you have a creche to display, bring them on Friday from 3-8. Besides the nativities, there is a children's room with a craft and dress-up area. Pictures in the stable can be taken as well. There is a movie room, showing movies about Christ, and an art room to display art. And to climax it all, there is a community-choir concert on Saturday the 5th at 7:00 PM and Sunday at 6:00. I am on the committee, and it is going to be an awesome event! Bring the kids! This is a great event to begin the Christmas season! OH--the event runs Saturday and Sunday from 3-8 and it's FREE! :)

Hope to see some of ya'll somewhere . . .!

What's happening elsewhere????

Take care! Much love,

Dena

Tiani's Bridal Showers

There will be a family Bridal Shower held on Jan 28th at 11:00a.


This is another Bridal Shower I am putting on for Tiani. Everyone is welcome at this one too.

T & G Madsen annual update thing

IN BRIEF: we burned in grand cayman; Mako tried entrepenuralship; fam. trip to Oregon for Meinzer
reunion / back-packing plans to Black Buttes burned out; Aleah destroyed another car; Miles stretched
for miles; Martins Cove TREK; topped Table Rock and Timp.; new daughter Joy (married to Alma);
picked up a used dog, Dopy; Geram returned from service in Guatemala minus a toe; front porch steps
now a sled run; and, almost finished our house this year, again.

Gina wanted a Carribbean cruise for anniversary, away from Iceburg, so we went and burned as whity does in that climate! Still a good memorable time, esp. in Jamaica, "mon".
Michael tried running a shaved ice and goody venue at Rigby lake for 2 months: "Makos Mobile Munchies". He
netted $180 for about 180 hours work. Lesson learned.
Tire blew out damaging van on way to Meinzer Fam reunion at Immigrant lake, Oregon. Got in real late. Morning jog turned into a triathlon next day, thanks to Dr.Erickson. Good food, good talks, good memories. Trip home was to include backpacking to Black Buttes, but wild fires burned us out of that deal. We got to see the redwoods though. 39 hours of road traveling family close togetherness time!
Hmm, last car Aleah killed for lack of oil, next one was lack of water. Her new one has "lack" of fuel problems, but this has not ruined the engine so far.
Miles Ellsworth stayed with us to try and finish high school, get drivers lisence, learn life skills, etc., but life on our ranch was a challenge for him. He learned lots, survived the Trek, topped Table rock w/us, and "stretched" for 2 months. It was a good experience for us all. We'll see what he does with this experience.
The Martins Cove hand cart Trek was a wonderful spiritual experience. Gina and I went as a "Ma & Pa", Aleah as an Aunt, Ty & Mako as sons in the heat of mid July Wyoming. Hiking as a family, we did get to the top of Table Rock. This places one in a front row view of the Tetons in all their rugged, colorful, dangerous beauty. Gina, Alma, Joy and I topped Mt. Timp on a backpacking experience to introduce Joy to this families favorite summer activity. She did not care too much for the re-hydrated food, but like the rest of us, ate it out of hunger. Speaking of Joy, what a wonderful thing to have such a beautiful, gracious, considerate young woman to join our family. Never really thought of how marriage would affect our family. We are grateful to have her as a daughter. In case you did not know, they were sealed in Jordan River on 24 Oct.
I DID NOT WANT ANOTHER DOG! yet somehow between the childrens pleas and Ginas search for a suitable
critter, this used golden lab came up on some guys internet list, and now he is here in my yard. Name was Buddy: now its Dopy.
Gina and I went to Guatemala to return with Geram at the completion of his mission service. The people there are so basic. They get along so well with so little. It was interesting to see Gerams foot with the toe next to the big one gone, and the next 2 mangled. He walks and runs just fine. Guat was hot! And humid. But bananas were only 5c!
The children have piled snow up on the left side of the front steps and made a 6' snow sled ramp and jump at the sidewalk. Works great!
Gave myself till the anniversary date of move in to complete the few projects remaining: attic access trim, window seat, crown and trim on entertainment cabinets, woodstove pipe and chimney, shop heater, kitchen appliance trim, exterior stair rails and water heater drain line. 3, maybe 4, days of work. In one year, you would think one could find the time to complete a few projects. Wow, where did the year go?!

Aaroc is 9, loves scouts, fireworks and saving money;
Gessi is 11, loves Dopy, reading and spending money;
Michael is 14, loves motors, fireworks and is becoming more responsible;
Ty is 16, loves music, his convertable and is working hard to fininsh high school a year early;
Aleah is 19, loves boys (2 weeks at a time), works at Craigos pizza, Broulims grocery store & sells plasma.
Geram is 21, loves snow (not), back to work (for me: a remodel) and preping to return to Sierra College.
I did 3 things I said I would not: bought an old home; doing a remodel; and hawked my home to do it!

Next year our family update will be e-mail only. If you want to be copied, send us a reply that you do to:
madsentg@msn.com.
May you all have a wonderful Christmas and new year.

Terry and Gina Madsen and family