winter is here

Winter has come to the mountains----and to our home. Yes it is finally here, and it is really beautiful! If it would just stay off the roads I would be happier. Aunt Catherine was here this last week and it was so wonderful having her here to talk to and just be with. She loved to see the snow and we went for a walk in it. Then she left to go back to California and we had to stay here in the cold snow :(

Good times #2

when i came upon this picture i just had to chuckle. I am soo glad i caught this moment in time in the life of dan callister. Do you still have those nasty flip-flops? 

Bean and Bacon: the truth

Ok - so the other day tayson and i had a playdate. I decided to bring lunch so that our friends didn't feel inclined to provide. What i grabbed was a can of bean and bacon soup. I have  loved this soup ever since i can remember and have always considered it a hearty comfort food that everyone loves. The look on my friends face as presented her with the yummy lunch i brought to share made me think.- Is this soup a culture thing- a callister thing? She then said " well, i dont like it but maybe mcKay will" . He didn't. Come to think of it- the same thing happened  about a year ago with a different friend. Here is my question.. what is not to like about  this savory mix of beans, bacon, and an occasional carrot? Oh well. maybe i wont serve it to friends but bean and bacon soup will forever be a favorite nostalgic meal for me and mine. 

Callister "Good Times" photo series #1

I found some funny pictures in my scrapbook and thought you all might like to remember with me. feel free to add onto my photo series by posting your own favorite old pics ( this means you'll need to scan them in.... so mom and dad might not participate...or they just might surprise us all!) can't wait to see what people think of this timeless shot!

California Coastal getaway

Hello all Callisters...Aunt Catherine and Uncle Jim here. Thank you for letting us use your space to add our life-events. We have sooo enjoyed sharing in your escapades! We recently celebrated our anniversary with a trip to the coast (one of our favorite destinations...any part of the coast will do...just give us the ocean). In particular, we visited Stinson Beach to take advantage of both the ocean and Mt. Tamalpias (the highest Mt in the area...a mere foothill to you folks). So we decide on a 4 mile hike (the beach was closed to the public because of a recent oil-spill). We hiked thru it/up it/in it/over it...it was GREAT! A foggy day only added to the beauty...and the pictures don't do it justice...but you all know that actually being in the local adds it's own element of magic. Great trip...wanted to share. Come visit...anyone...anytime! Love from Wine (whine) Country...Uncle Jim and Aunt Catherine

Turkey Day

I was looking through some pictures and found some Ure ones that are at my house for some reason. I know this was one of Rachel's favorite performances ever. (NOT) A couple of cute turkeys!!! Happy Thanksgiving to you all. Love mom

I just thought I would send a little hello from us here in Italy. Rebekah had a great birthday, we had a successful Halloween party, and all is going well for boys, David, Rebekah and baby #4. Rebekah got excited for Thanksgiving shortly after Halloween and decided that we needed something to remind us that such a Holiday does exist (obviously it isn't a popularly celebrated Italian holiday!). So she went through her fabric and made this happy turkey. We put a feather up every day after we say something we are Thankful for. Isn't he cute?!

We hope that all of you have a great Thanksgiving--we are doing a dinner for a few of our Italian friends (most Italians have only seen a full roasted Turkey on American Television--never for real!).

Cute Old Folks

Dad and I went to Venice (Utah) and Delta this last weekend and had a good visist, and a well over due one at that with Grandpa and then with Grandma C. we had a great time hiking around the foothills of Venice. We followed some deer paths and hoped we didn't see any trigger happy hunters. We went to church with Grandma and ate lunch with she and uncle Ned. They have to be the cutest old people ever!!! It was something we have decided to try and do at least once every month. They need it and so do we.

family picture

Rachel wanted me to post the old family picture so she could make a copy. So here it is.

Happy Birthday Deena

Deena I am sorry that I was out of town playing on your birthday, but happy birthday to a wonderful wife and mother. We love you and we appreciate the great family that you and Josh have. I hope that you felt fussed over and that you feel appreciated and loved.
Your efforts are showing good results. Your family are lucky to have you to nurture and care for them. I enjoy the time I am able to spend with you, Josh and your children. I don't know if there is anything I enjoy more than spending time with family. Thank you for the part you play in our lives. Have a great year and may your wishes come true.
Love, Dad

Moab Area Trip

We just got back from Moab bcause Dad had business there for the Bank. We, Deb and Andrew, Dad and I, had a great time. We took the Delicate Arch hike, and the Double O hike in Arches. Next day we did Goblin Valley and Little Wild Horse Canyon. Andrew had never been to any of those places and was amazed at the unique beauty there. The weather was perfect!!! Sunny, with that beautiful blue sky that is so striking against the red cliffs, but not hot. Annie would have worn a sweater even. The only thing that would have made it better is to have had some of you there with us. love ya all mom

We just returned this weekend from Pisa and Florence. The kids loved The Leaning Tower, though they were bummed because they are too young to go up in it.
In Florence we decided to take the kids into one of the museums. We picked the one with this famous statue of David. The kids did a great job inside of the museum--they were very fascinated by Michelangelo's works especially (Eli asked me afterward if I thought he should make things out of wood or out of stone when he grows up).
Gabriel took particular interest in the Statue of David. We saw this view as we approached it. After looking at it for a few minutes, he looked up at me in the most serious way and stated, "Mom, I need to see his bum now." It was so funny and cute!
Later as we walked around the statue, I was telling Eli and Adam how Michelangelo had studied the human body so that he could make this statue so accurately. I pointed to David Moss's flexed leg muscle in front of us and showed them how similar the shape of the statue's leg was. Gabe heard me saying this, looked up at his Dad, and exclaimed for all English comprehenders to hear (this is most of the people there), "Dad, He looks just like you!!" This is quite a compliment since this statue is supposed to be the ideal man's figure!! I certainly won't be found disputing the statement!! :)

remember these books???

i found these ready-set-grow books at the thrift store, i dont know which ones we had as kids- but they all have that same cheesy late 70's flavor.

Dad's Birthday

We had such a good time this weekend celebrating dad's birthday. We went for a hike in the beautiful autumn colored mountains, watched conference on the TV, and had a party with Deb and Andrew, Josh and Deena, Caleb, Sammy, and Drew. Thanks to all of you for phone calls, cards, and other displays of love.

Salmon Run!

howdy,

Angie and I enjoyed watching the salmon spawning at Porcupine Res Thursday morning. I think we saw more salmon than we've ever seen. It was really a good time, and so darn pretty with leaves starting to change in Cache valley already! Angie is enjoying her new job watching kids for a few hours every day, and I'm surviving my nacturnal life day-by-day :) Mostly I'm just glad to have my wife back!

Snoasis is closed

Wow, the Snoasis is finally closed for the season!! Deb, Angie and Andrew are especially happy. They put in a lot of hours the last two weeks, but they also reaped the reward. The weather held out for a very successful ending to the very successful summer. We are working on the new East side of parking lot place of business for next year. We are grateful for all the people that love us, and for the blessings it gives our family. Angie will be going home to Logan and her husband. Deb will continue with her other job. And, by the way, We went to Jordan Commons to see the Movie that Andrew is in a few weeks ago. It was a special showing of it and it is very good!!!! It is Called "Forever Strong" We totally recommend it if you get a chance to see it somewhere. However it might not be out for a while. love you all, mom

grandma's party

I decided it was time to put in another picture. This was taken a month ago when Aunt Catherine was here to see Grandma and we had a fun get together with some aunts and uncles and cousins. We had a good turn out. I hadn't seen some of these folks for a while. It was good for them to see grandma and for her to see them. Love you all

Girl Meets Lawn

What? You say we have to do this every week?! Believe it or not, this was Annies first ever mowing experience... I am glad she liked it. We'll see how long that lasts. All is well here, we are busy every day doing little fix it projects here adn there. Still kind of fun. We went to IKEA in Portlnad last week. What a zoo!! Found some cool stuff. We'll send pictures.

Love ya'll

Gabriel had a Happy Birthday party on Sunday.

He wanted an elephant cake

(that is what this is supposed to be in case you can't tell).

We can't believe that he is so big!!

3 years old!

Man meets lawn

Aaah the exhilaration of mowing your own lawn! Annie clipped this picture of me enjoying my first mow. We borrowed the lawnmower from our Mormon Aggie neighbors, thats right we moved in next to Mormons who also happened to attend Utah State......Hello!!!!!

Anyway the move went well, and we are in!!! It is so much fun. Come see us!

Jake and Annie

Adam is very excited because he lost his first tooth today! It had been lose for just a little while.

Adam says that Gabriel helped him lose it. They were playing tug-of-war with a blanket--Adam pulled with his teeth. We are glad it is out because the adult tooth had already surfaced behind it.

The Moss boys had a great time today. Rebekah saw the rather innocent beginnings, went to get the camera and came back to...

summer portrait

we took these for mom on her birthday. i got my friend to take them and then i quickly posted them so mom could get them on her birthday. they are called summer portraits because it was so stinkin hot. ( its been 105 her with 100% humidity)

birthday hike

birthday for mom/grandma

I want to thank all of you for the cards, e-mails, phone calls and pictures. Wow , I love you all!!! I wanted to go on a hike for my birthday. So Dad and Daniel, Deb and Andrew all came with me on a hike to Lake Katherine. We went up little Cottonwood Canyon, to the Lake and packed in our cooked foil dinners. Yum! We saw 3 moose and several deer. It was beautiful and I loved it. I am out of shape so it was hard getting there, but once we were there it was so worth it. Wish that all of you could have been there with me. Deb and Andrew bought a cheese cake to top off the evening. Here are some pictures to enjoy.

Buon Complianno! Happy Birthday Grandma!

from the Moss Boys

Sammy got to the kitty!

never leave Samantha alone with paints...this is the result!! the poor kitty was covered from whiskers to paws, with pink paint. this picture is after a day of cleaning herself...

Google Sketch-up Nerd Alert!!!

Annie and I spent all night last night working on our to scale drawings and renderings of our home. Obsess much????? Anyway isnt this fun? We could do it all day. We can bring different furniture in, different colors... and best of all, Annie can tear down any wall she wants in this environment. Check out google sketch up.... its a blast!!!

Enjoy