Geo-trax, a Quilt, and Cribbage

Friday, December 26, 2008

Geo-trax, a Quilt, and Cribbage

Merry Christmas

from the Shadel Family!

We had a wonderful day. We kept things simple. For the boys Santa brought Geo-Trax. Little did we know that grandparents on each side would follow suit. The delight you see on Peter and Ammon's face was over the fly-through barn and the airplane Santa brought.

After opening gifts from Grandma Lynn and Grandpa Joe we were able to add on a bridge with more flying track. What a fun surprise. It became quickly apparent that one plane for two boys was not cutting it, and we wondered if Ammon would have some additions to his birthday gifts the next day.

Turned out that wasn't necessary. Grandma Peggy and Grandpa Derrick showed up and along with them came the geo-trax airport and another plane! Ammon and Peter (especially Ammon) hit the jackpot when it came to the geo-air products. In one day he got the entire line of stuff with the exception of one plane. (And although two planes is really great with two kids, three planes would just be over the top right now!

Andy and I kept things even more simple between us. For him there was a quilt I made. It has some things about it that make it very sentimental and special for us. He got his quilt a few days early. I also received a homemade gift. We woke up early Christmas morning before the boys got up and I opened my much anticipated present. It was a beautifully crafted cribbage board that he designed and made for me.
I couldn't have asked for a nicer gift. Cribbage is a game that means a lot to us on a lot of levels. A couple of years ago he and I were both working opposite shifts. He would leave in the morning and before he got home I would have to drop Ammon off to get babysat until Andy could get him. I would head to work and by the time I came home Ammon would be sleeping. After Ammon was asleep, Andy would fix me dinner and when I got home we would play cribbage together while I ate. It was literally the only time we had together during those months, and the memories I have of that time are fond. The significance of this game runs deeper for both of us. I learned to play from my dad who learned from his mom. I can still remember the method my dad used to teach me and even which room in the house I learned and practiced the game.
Andy never learned to play as a child, but found that his grandparents have a great cribbage legacy of their own. When he started this project his dad mentioned that his grandpa has made several cribbage boards over the years. Andy called and talked with his grandpa and learned that they have played two games a night for longer than they can remember. They even went through an eight year period of time where they kept track of who won (in 8 years, Gram won 60% of the time). This game makes my heart happy as it reminds me of fond times in my life and special relationships in my family.

What a wonderful holiday we had!

2 comments:

Our familyDecember 26, 2008 at 12:20 PM
Jenny, those are such neat presents--especially/specifically the presents you and Andy gave each other!
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KristaDecember 26, 2008 at 9:26 PM
Homemade presents are always so awesome.
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Family Proclamation

The First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children.All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.In the premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshiped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize his or her divine destiny as an heir of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God's commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.We declare the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God's eternal plan.Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. "Children are an heritage of the Lord" (Psalms 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God and to be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.We warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.

This proclamation was read by President Gordon B. Hinckley as part of his message at the General Relief Society Meeting held September 23, 1995, in Salt Lake City, Utah.