New Years Eve with a New Pasta Machine

The event? New Year's Eve, but also a chance to try out Camille's new pasta machine.  It is a Phillips, which mixes the flour, eggs, and water, and automatically extrudes the dough into noodles when the mixing is complete.  Very fancy.  This Saturday night party was our last holiday event before Jonny and Jenny flew back to Miami on Sunday.  Lisa, Kyle, Bryce, and Alyssa were already home in Seattle, but Kirsten, Naomi, and Spencer joined us for the evening.

Our anticipation ran high.  Camille served her pasta with shrimp and meat sauces, Italian salad, and lemon ice cream for dessert.

The Jonny Spendlove family was feeling better, but still not 100%.  Jenny's throat didn't hurt so much from her tonsillectomy, Jonny was on the mend from his bronchitis, and Henry and Sam were getting over their colds.  "I won't lie, though," Jonny said.  "Being in my own bed in Miami sounds very good after this trip."

Mike and Heidi spent Christmas in Axtell, so it was great to have them back with us for this week's round of post-Christmas parties.

 Figuring out the cheese grater.

The table was covered in butcher paper, with our names drawn on in crayon.  If we spilled our sauce, it was no problem!

 Steve has after-dinner clean-up down to a science.

The young people retired to Camille's basement to play games and watch movies on the TV until the New Year.  Dave and I slipped home to bed.

Dave at Seventy

For David's 70th birthday, Camille and Steve made a video of the family's recollections about their dad and grandpa.   Everyone answered questions like, "How are you like David?" "What have you learned from David?"  and "What's your favorite story about David?"  The answers were priceless. When asked how they were like their dad/grandpa, many family members said they loved their families, they got up early, or they liked to run.  Bryce said, "We both love Grandma," and Steve said, "We're both married to wonderful women who spend too much money."  The favorite stories covered the whole range of David's practical jokes--the Christmas tree in the gutter, the rocks on the table in St. George, the yellow snow, stealing power from the electric company.  We laughed and laughed, and were very glad we have a part in David's life.  Camille also showed photographs from her dad's many adventures.

Just married

The Cliff and Carol Spendlove Christmas card, 1970

 Camping with Dave's dad, brothers, and Uncle Gene

 With Baby Lisa

 The brand new cabin in 1972

 With Lisa and Camille in Arizona

 Summer of 1976--Gretta's interviewing trip to law firms

 Lt. Spendlove

 In Yellowstone with two-week-old Michael

 Glory days

 Michael's baptism, 1990

 With Clifford the Dog

 Our family expands once more

 Cheap thrills in Ohio

 Auctioneer for the family reunion

 Tough guy of the West

 The Viking in his horned hat

 Fishing with Spencer and Michael

 With Camille and newborn Emilie

 Our first cruise through the Caribbean on Carnival

 More cheap thrills

 Matching the Macho Male

 The family in St. George, just before Mike's mission

The family December 2015

Sophia at Twelve

Sophia turned twelve on December 26, 2016, and her Grandpa David turned 70.  We had a party for both of them on December 27, but we were so busy cooking, eating and reminiscing that we forgot to take pictures.  Camille told about Sophia's talents and awards, including winning the Reflections contest for her school and region for her essay, "My Tumor."  We then gave Sophia advice as she becomes a young lady.  "Don't be one of those mean girls," her grandma recommended.