Merry Christmas 2007!

Merry Christmas! Well, the boys were sure surprised this morning when Santa dropped off Tucker at our front door :) After a year of begging for a dog and giving us the logical reasons to have a pooch, Tucker is now a part of the family. The day started at 5:50 when the boys began opening their presents. By 6:15 they heard a knock at the door, and they were introduced to Tucker. We all loved the day! Grandma Kim came over at 9 and we had a wonderful breakfast casserole made by Liz. It was yummy! Grandma Kim returned to her house and prepared part of the dinner (the ham, rolls and jello salad) and Liz cooked up appetizers and other parts of a wonderful dinner. Cousins Cecillie, James and Little James came over at 2:30 and just left a while ago. Grandma Kim came over with David at 4 and everything was awesome! We called our family and shared in our love. Oh, and it snowed for a little while today!

Tucker joins the Geigenmiller Family

Tucker, a pure bred Maltese bundle of white fluff, joined the family tonight. Shhh! The kids don't know yet as they're still sleeping with dreams of sugar plums dancing in their heads. This is going to be a major surprise!

Lots of news!

We're happy to report that my sister Susie has announced her engagement to Daniel, who is a U.S. Marine. He popped big question on Christmas Eve, shortly after getting permission from Mom and Dad.  He will begin a tour of duty in Iraq that ends in October. They're planning a November wedding, but things are still fluid.  We're so excited about this. Daniel is the right guy for Susie! Merry Christmas!

With one day to go before Christmas, the boys are going nuts. You can see the fun in their eyes!

Santa comes to our neighborhood!

On Friday, Santa and his helpers (the Camas Fire Department) came through the neighborhood with sirens blaring and lights glowing spreading Christmas cheer. Santa, pulled in a trailer behind a specially-equipped lawnmower, greeted all the children at each corner and block. The Huckvales came over to our house for homemade soup, Mexican hot chocolate and pan dulce while we waited for his visit. The photos show our family, the Huckvale kids and several neighborhood friends gathering. Christmas is just around the corner. We're so excited!

12 Days of Christmas!

Six geese a laying! This morning we opened our front door to find a note about "on the sixth day of Christmas ... six geese a laying ..." and a carton of six eggs. It was so funny! We love whoever is doing this. You've done a great job at being discreet. We didn't even know egg cartons come in such small sizes. We're so used to buying 5 dozen at a time. Merry Christmas!

Ernie's Christmas Commentary

Last night our family, accompanied by our friends, The Nelsons, enjoyed an evening of beautiful music and Christmas celebration at our Stake Center. The concert was filled with choir songs, solos, instrumental performances and even an A Capella song about the Christ child. Our sons got to see their mother play in a flute ensemble, which was a real treat. It was warm, spiritual and inviting. It also showcased the reasoning behind Christmas, which is to celebrate our dear Savior's birth.

Another family recently dropped off a Christmas CD entitled "Simple Gifts" with 10 recorded instrumentals recorded by four of their family members. It includes the harp, guitar and 2 violins. The Mumfords recorded it in their house, which is just a few blocks from ours. It's professional grade. It highlights the simplicity that should envelop this season. Mumfords, you made the season!

Another family continues to drop off daily Christmas items at our door commemorating the Twelve Days of Christmas. We don't exactly know who they are, but we have an educated guess.

I must admit over the last several years that I cringe when Christmas comes upon us. It's not because I dislike the holiday but I've come to resent what we, as a nation, have done to the holiday. I'm reminded of a scene from "Jingle All the Way" where everyone is rushing to get the toy of the season and they end of fighting and wrestling to participate in the lottery for that coveted prize. The scene is accompanied by Steve Lawrence singing "It's the most wonderful time of the year ..." Although the movie is extremely funny, it underscores the sickness that has plagued this holiday, which is intense consumerism. Retailers can't underscore enough how deeply they depend on Christmas to meet annual profits. That point underscores the flaws in the retail business. They need to re-market and re-align their business plan. I want them to be successful.

I recall seven years ago, while I was in the middle of one of my best financial years ever, I went nuts on Christmas presents. I bought everyone very expensive gifts, only to have nearly half of the recipients whine and complain about colors, sizes, styles, and shapes. I've never been more disgusted on Christmas morning. When we returned to the mall the next day (another American sickness) to return or exchange gifts, I recall one family member realize the cost of the gift. She felt bad. So did I.

I vowed never to repeat that mistake. All those gifts stomped on the heart of the season.

I often compare that Christmas to my favorite Christmas ever, which was the one I spent in Quito, Ecuador. Sitting atop a white-washed apartment overlooking the majestic city of Quito, myself and the three missionaries with whom I served spent Christmas Eve visiting neighbors and church members. We sang songs, ate simple foods and basked in the Christmas lights that adorned that great city. We watched and enjoyed a televised Catholic mass, told stories in Spanish and shared our love of Jesus Christ. It was bliss! On Christmas morning we awoke to clear blue skies and people singing Christmas carols in Spanish as they walked down the street. Our Christmas tree was no more than 3 feet tall, and there were maybe six presents under it. We said a prayer, opened our presents and then called our families back in the States. Although I missed my family, there was no place I would rather have been at that moment.

Don't misunderstand, I love to give and receive gifts. But I'm a big believer in simplicity. Ecuador was simple. We can learn a lot from Ecuador.

I'm pleased my children haven't begged me for anything this season. We're keeping it low-key, in hopes they will catch the true feeling of Christmas.

It's my hope families can capture the goodness that Christmas should be. My favorite aspects of the holiday are the simple ones, such as the caroling at the doors, the cookie plates, goodies, and my all-time favorite, which is to receive Christmas cards and newsletters. Christmas is an excellent time to re-connect with old friends and loved ones. This is what our Savior wants.

Prayers for Aunt Katie, Uncle Lane, Grace & Sophia

The Shepherds were involved in a serious auto accident late lastnight. Apparently a truck obstructed Katie's lane as they were passing by. Katie was cut up, Lane's head hit the front window and little Sophia's head also hit the window. They were treated at the hospital, and their car was totalled. It's interesting to note how many people were in the right places at the right time -- at the hospital, on the train ride home, and how interconnected everyone was to help them out in their time of need. Their bishop is helping them locate a new car. We'll keep everyone posted on their progress ...

Christmas cards

Today we received a bunch of Christmas cards from so many of our friends. I was starting to get worried nobody cared. Well today was the big load of cards! People are getting their Geigenmiller Gazette! We got cards from President and Sister Hall, The Goodsons in Blue Springs, Mo, Aimee Eliason (Liz's college buddy), Mike Olson's family (one of my old scouts), The Ogata's in Vancouver, The Huckvales, Ian Olsen's family, Aunt Ruby and the Beatty's. It's so awesome!

Aaron

This is one of my favorite photos of Aaron. He's a tornado but we're glad he's part of the family.

Indoor Soccer with Christian

Christian is our 7-year-old and natural athlete! Today he played another indoor soccer match against the Destroyers, who are also from Camas. Christian played goalie and stopped several goals during the first half. The second half he played his forward and assisted in two goals. His team, which is part of our regular Blue Lightning soccer team, won the game 6-2. Go Blue Lightning. The pictures show Christian with his team, and then one with Christian and one of his best friends. He has lots of friends. Practically everywhere we go someone is always yelling "Hi Christian!"  Tomorrow, Liz will play the flute in two concerts at church. We're really looking forward to that.

Christmas Joy!

Jordan shows how happy he is to celebrate the season. He's our little Bean isn't he?

He has such a charming personality!

Parade!

Brendan's scout group recently participated in a parade.

Here he is with all his buddies in downtown Vancouver, WA.

Scouts!

It comes with the territory that having four sons we'd also be involved in Scouts.

Ernie is an Eagle Scout and Brendan has already surpassed anything Ernie did when he was a Cub Scout. Seriously, the kid has ten times the badges Ernie ever had. He's like his mom.

Ernie served as a Scout leader for eight years in various capacities and now Liz serves as Webelos leader. The boys recently went to school for Veteran's Day and showed their patriotism. Featured in this picture are Brendan, Colby and Liam -- all neighbors. Don't you just love Camas!

Getting ready for Christmas!

The boys are getting excited about Christmas. Brendan played Joseph in the nativity scene at last week's church play.  Last Monday we went caroling for Family night and managed to visit eight families. Liz graciously made dozens of cookies all day in preparation for the fun night. It was a joy to visit those families, most of whom live very close by.

Brendan also had his first Christmas band concert. He's playing the clarinet. Once my old clarinet is out of the repair store he'll be using my old one that was purchased in 1982!