Taylor's Last Companion, Elder Nickerson

This is Elder James McCabe Nickerson from Cedar City, UT. He will be Taylor's last companion in the mission field. He was transferred to Exodo, which being interpreted means "Exodus" according to Taylor. Taylor was released as Zone Leader and is now a trainer again. Elder Nickerson is fresh out of the CTM.

Merry Christmas

THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
by Cindy and Steve Russo

'Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house…Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, In hopes that the family would all soon be there;

Krissa and David in Springville they do reside...With their little McKailey, always right by their side!
Krissa, for the snow to stop she does lobby, So David can landscape instead of using the house as a hobby.
In Elders Quorum he is a teacher and Krissa the secretary in Primary, a spare minute? NARY!
McKailey is beautiful and funny and smart, And some things she will say could give you a start.
She wants to be a princess, She loves Disney a lot, She wants all lipsticks that ever are bought.

While visions of airplanes danced in his head; Stephen and Alesha away to Boise did tread,
He’s now flying people instead of just “stuff” and said to Alesha, I know it’s real tough,
But things will get better, we’ll be in Utah one day, but the good news is in Colorado we won’t stay!
Now for little Stephen whom we all like to call Trip, He just takes it in stride with Gus in his grip.
He sits patiently for mommy’s camera when it starts flashing, And on a magazine cover looks oh so dashing.
On Nov. 19th he was sealed to his family forever, and mommy and daddy their ties will never ever sever!

Away to Brazil Taylor flew a while back, Excitement at his return we certainly don’t lack.
He’ll get home to see the new-fallen snow, January 27th is the date we all know.
And Ma in her travel clothes and Pa in his too, Will take a long trip away into the blue.
More rapid than eagles to Brazil they will go, On January 19th, with Sarah in tow.
We’ll whistle, and shout, and call him by name; "Now, Elder! Now, Taylor! Go back from where you came!
To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall! Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"

We can’t forget Sarah with her schedule so full, with School, Dance and Dating her life’s never dull.
She has been traveling for competition and is in West Side Story, she dances as a Shark for Orem High fame and Glory.

Now for mom and dad who are now really getting too old, There’s new life in the house no one needs to be told.
The prancing and pawing of such a little Yorky, Gets attention from all when she poos and is dorky.
Her eyes -- how they twinkle! Her tiny body how merry! Her teeth are like jaws, but runs from the cat like a fairy!

All is well at the Russo house, And we wish to say with delight,


"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night."

Husband Tagging - How did I get ropped into this one?

1. What is his name?
Stephen Louis Russo... I really have always loved his name. Enough that I named my first son after him and then I was thrilled when Stephen and Alesha named their son after him. Although at times it has been really confusing at the post office. I also have to confess how much I love my grandson's nick name, Tripp.
2. How long have you been married?
We got married March 7, 1980, so I guess that would be 28 years in March.
3. How long did you date?
Well, our first date was Oct. 3rd and we were engaged at the end of November and married in March, what is that 4 months or so?
4. Who eats more? Definately Steve unless it's candy or sweets and definately I can pack that away more than he does.
5. Who said 'I love you' first?
Are you kidding, I can't remember that far back. It just happened, I don't really remember the words as much as the feelings. I think it was at the Falls by the Idaho temple, but I can't rememer if the actual words were said.
6. Who sings better?
I hate to even say that I do because he probably has a better voice but I am the only one that can read the music.
7. Who is taller?
Ummmm..... everyone is taller than I am :-)
8. Whose temper is worse? Wow that is a good guestion. I get pretty upset when my switch is flipped, but Steve probably flips quicker and harder than I do. He is mellowing in his old age though. Once when we were younger he put a hole through the pantry door. And the funniest time is when he flipped the whole couch over. Like I said, age mellows us.
9. Who does the laundry?
Definately I do unless I insist on his helping. Every once in a while if I am gone or something he will do it all from start to finish.
10. Who does the dishes?
We share this one but I am much better at seeing what needs to be done quicker. But he frequently surprises me when I get home after being gone and he has done it all.
11. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed?
I do, it is closer to the bathroom in the middle of the night.
12. Who does the cooking?
Unless we are having steak on the grill, I do.
13. Who is more stubborn?
Probably me.
14. Who proposed?
He did at the Falls at the Temple in Idaho. But we went to pick out the ring together.
16. Whose parents do you see the most?
Since his are gone, I would have to say mine :-) But don't ask him who we saw most when they were still alive because we have differing opinions on that one.
17. Who pays the bills?
I did for years and then about 10 years ago I just handed it all back to him and didn't ever look back. It was a liberating thing to do.
18. Who wears the pants in the family?
I don't know, I would like to say me but I think we both have a leg in! Ditto Alesha!
19. Why do you love your husband?
Wow, what a question! Because we are attracted to one another. We love hard and fight hard. I have been in situations during the last 27 years when we both could easily have walked away and yet we both made a concious choice to stay together. He is extremely loyal. He is one of the most caring men you will ever find behind the matter of factness he puts on his face. You won't find anyone that serves with such a big heart. He has a way of taking care of things that I am not capable of both physically and emotionally, I don't know what I would do without him and I never ever want to find out!
Now I tag Penny and Erin.

Sittin at the boat dock!

What do you think is going through his head right here. Can you believe how much weight he has lost. He actually looks really good. I think he said he has lost 50 pounds and all his hair. You have to take the good with the bad I guess.

Torn socks!???

You know, I kinda think he would be able to find somewhere to buy socks. I do hope he plans on throwing these away soon. And you wonder why he gets blisters and has foot issues. My goodness.

Typical lunch in Itocoataria

Wonder what is in the green bottles? And it looks like Taylor is a member of the clean plate gang. I was hoping to get a glimpse at what it is you eat there. He looks happy though.

Children in the Amazon