We have been busy for the past two weeks.

We spent last week in Radium Hot springs Canada.  We had thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings.  Linda Hoff prepared a turkey for us to cook as well as some of Lori's favorite dishes (Yams and a string bean thing).  We enjoyed the dinner, ate too much and watched too much football.  Tony had two friends up with him and Ashton's friend bailed at the last moment on her.  We drove to Banff for a day and enjoyed the mountains and wildlife.  I must admit I had a very emotional trip but the kids seem to go with the flow.  I had to excuse myself a few times on Thanksgiving because I look at the kids and my heart breaks for them. Lori was such a great mom and wife, the best!  We did have some time to talk about things and the kids seem to be handling things OK.  They both said it sucks and I cant agree with them more.  They kept themselves pretty busy so that always helps. Plenty of wildlife in our yard.  We had wild turkeys, bighorn sheep, deer and some squirrels. I have added pictures of these in the picture area.

We did put up the Xmas tree (pre-lighted and it spins too!) before we left.  When we got back we decorated the tree and house.  Lori loved this part.  Justin remembered that Lori always had hot cider and eggnog so he went to the store to get those items.  So we all started taking out boxes and ornaments and getting things hung.  The kids were just doing their thing and I had another moment so I had to go to my room, pray for a bit and regain my composure. I think I'm going to have a rough season.  I never want to forget all the great things associated with Lori, our marriage and our kids so I expect to have these feelings during the holidays for the rest of my life, not a problem, I want to remember all the things I miss.  After getting the tree decorated and the 50 boxes of other stuff put out the house feels like Lori is everywhere in the house.

Lori's endowment fund is almost at its minimum level of $10,000.  I think we are at $8,500 now so thanks to everyone who has donated and if you are still thinking about it please send your contributions to the “Lori Hall Endowment Fund”, 501 N. Riverpoint Blvd, PO Box 6000, Spokane Wa 99217. Ashton, Tony and I have contributed $1,000 each so we are proud of what everyone is doing and we are looking forward to reviewing and distributing this money to CCS students for the next 100 years, and beyond.

Ashton started working at K-marche this Sunday.  She is pretty excited.  They are really good about working around her schedule so that is great too.  She is also baby sitting for one of our neighbors who is the CEO of Yokes, so she is pulling in the dough.  She told me last night she had to ring up a customer who had $700 worth of stuff in their basket and it took her forever to scan all the items.  She started adding up her money with about 10 hours.  She said $70 for 10 hours and I said, yep in the old days I made $2.50 an hour.  She walked away because she had heard this story before. She is doing more flippy things and getting thrown higher in her cheer stuff so she is having a good time. She has also started to try and cook more which is helpful.

Tony got is first Varsity letter in football last week. This was very exciting and something Lori and I wanted for him for a long time. Of course a varsity letter means a $300 coat but that the price you pay to be a star?  I'm going to take Tony down and get him measured today.  He is pretty excited.  He has been working out with the baseball guys and lifting at school everyday.  He still can't take me but its getting close.  Tony can't wait to drive.  He gets his license in April so this is your 5 month warning to up your insurance.

I'm a little unmotivated when I get home at nights.  I think the stress of trying to cover Lori's stuff is getting me down.  We were a great team and Lori did her part perfectly. We have stared basketball so I'm doing the stats twice a week and I'm going to help out during our wresting tournaments at the school. Trying to keep busy.

Thanks for everyone's continued support and prayers.

God Bless