Because I haven't posted pictures in a while:

Just a bunch of pictures--and some attempted group selfies.

(Claire, Pyper, and Basil)

(She jumped in with her clothes on thinking it would be more fun than it really was.)

Christmas Film Excuses

It seems that there are glitches every year I try to do our family film. This year, the newest version of the movie maker I use won't allow me to upload it onto our blog. I can, however, post it on youtube, which I don't really want to do. But I think that might end up being our route if I can't figure out any other way. 

If it's posted on youtube, it will be a private video only available to those I send an email to, so if you are interested, send me an email (either through the comments or to my email), and I'll stick you on the list.

I am definitely late in getting around to finishing it up. My goal in years past has been to have it completed and posted on Christmas Eve. However, that lent to me being stressed out and spending my Christmas Eve day in front of the computer, away from the celebrations with my family. So this year, I didn't put a deadline on it. My goal was just to get it done and enjoy the holidays as well. And I did.

And now, as I try to post it, I find myself sidetracked by my obsessive hobbies. Like family history. I'm finding all sorts of cool stuff. Like, my maiden name would have actually been Calef but an ancestor, nine generations back, was given his mother's maiden name because she and the father (Calef) were never married. 

I also found one of my ancestors who came from England during the 1630's and when he arrived in New England, he signed as a Freeman and was part of the breaking away of England!

Then there was an ancestor thirteen generations back who accused another woman of bewitching her and suing her in court for being a witch. I even found a summary of the court record!

And this is only after researching ONE line! Do you see why I'm addicted??? These stories are so fascinating. I'm tempted to write a book about them!

John Courtland Searle

Born in 1828. One of the pioneers who crossed the United States from Michigan to settle in Payson, UT as one of the first settlers there. Their daughter was the first white baby born in the area.