Christmas Calls

I had a wonderful call from my missionary on Christmas day!  I can't tell you all how awesome it is to be able to hear the voice of a child that you haven't  been able to talk to since Mothers Day.  Jason has gone native!  He has a cute little French accent!  Definitely fun to listen to.
         He is doing well.  He has been sick for a couple of weeks, complications from having insomnia.  It is weird, he never had insomnia in his life until he went on his mission.  Now he gets it all the time.  It got so bad this time that he had to go to the  Dr. and he put in on sleeping pills.  Now he can barely stay awake.  I hope he gets better soon. It is things like this that make it hard to be half a world away.  Oh well, they have to grow up sometime, right?
        We ended the phone call by having a family prayer.  We put Jason on speaker phone and had him say the prayer in French.  It was awesome.  It is hard to believe that come May, I will be getting two of these calls. One from France and one from Canada.  I can't decided if I am excited or depressed about that.

Merry Christmas!

      2011 was a very busy and eventful year for the Lyons family.  February marked Cyndie and Tom's 21's anniversary.  We went to Disneyland for a weekend to celebrate.  Of course, we waited til June so it would be warm.  We had a great time!  I think the new Toy Story ride was our favorite.

      Tom is still serving as the second counselor in the Bishopric and Cyndie enjoyed her callings as Primary teacher and camp director for girls camp.  Going to girls camp for the first time in 20 years was a kick.

      Tom started a new job the beginning of December working for Farm Bureau Insurance company.  He is the associate general counsel.  He really enjoys it, and I enjoy having him at home for lunch every day.

Tom and Cyndie at Disneyland

Baptism of Joumott children (Jason is in back row far right)

Namur, Belgium  river front

            Jason is still enjoying his mission in the Paris, France mission.  I can't believe he will be home in July.  (Tom and I are hoping to pick him up.)  He has had a few baptisms recently and is really enjoying the work.  He has served in some beautiful places.  His most recent baptism was on December 10th.  He was able to do the confirmation and loved the experience.  We look forward to his e-mails every Monday.  Our family has been very blessed through Jason's service to his Heavenly Father and we are looking forward to his brother Chris joining the mission field this January.

       Chris had a very busy year.  He graduated in June and started at BYU in August. He enjoyed his semester there, and made some great friends along the way.   He received his mission call to the Canada, Winnipeg mission in September.  He enters the mission field in January.  He is very excited.

Graduation 2011

Meagan (age 15) has decided to follow the path of her Mom. She is enjoying being a Choir geek this year.  She is in the select choir at Highland as well as their Senior and Show choir.  She has enjoyed it very much.  It was a trip for me too.  She also has enjoyed cross country and track.  She is a Sophmore this year, and Mom and Dad are greatful that she has a late Birthday and we won't have to worry about the dating game until next year. She went to EFY at BYU this year and had a great time with her cousin.  She hopes to go again sometime. Meagan is always happy, and we love having her around. She definately makes life interesting.

Meagan 2011

Meagan Lyons (left) Megan Johnson (right)

Rachel (age 12) is in 7th grade and enjoying it about as much as  most of us did.  She loves art , reading and running cross country.  She draws very well for a 12 year old and she sculpts some really amazing things.  She is like most teenage girls and she loves to talk on the phone.  She spends most of her time talking to her best friend Kate.

Perry the Platypus

Rachel 2011


Natalie is six but will turn seven in February.  She keeps us all on our toes.  She is in first grade and doing great.  She loves to dance, sing, run, play, and just about anything else that will keep her moving.  She keeps us laughing with some of the things she says.  Being six years younger than your closest sibling, you pick up some things most six year olds would never say.  Like, "he is sooo hot!"   Needless to say, life is never dull. 

Natalie

We have been very blessed this year.  We are grateful for this wonderful Christmas season when we can reflect on the life of our Savior.  We hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year!  Love the Lyons Family

What the Hay!

O.K., I am sure some of you are wondering about the title.  It has nothing to do with the fact that we live in Idaho.  It seems like everyone I know has a blog of some kind.  So, I figured, "What the hay?"  I might as well try it too.
     I started a blog for my son when he went on his mission.  It has been fairly painless, even for a computer dummy like me.  I decide it was time to start one for myself.  Plus as I was thinking about doing Christmas letters this year, this just seemed soooo much easier.  Just post it and send everyone the link!  Simple. Something I have far to little of in my life.  
         So, I hope you all enjoy  The Lyons Den.  After all, most days I feel like I live in a zoo!