Jamison's Mission Call

Larry's brother Jamison received his mission call in the mail today. He has been called to serve in the Thailand Bangkok Mission. The mission also covers all of Laos and Burma (Patricia's home county). Jamison reports to the MTC on March 24th.

As a sixth-grader, Jamison played Prince Chulalongkorn in a high school production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's The King and I. However, this tidbit of information is unlikely to win Jamison any friends in Thailand as apparently most Thai find the musical's portrayal of their revered King Mongkut to be highly offensive and historically inaccurate.

There's a certain little girl and a little boy that are going to really miss their Uncle Jamison while he's on his mission.

Congrats Jamison on your mission call!

Chocolate Makes Children Smile

While we were in Pennsylvania, we made the obligatory trip to Hershey's Chocolate World. Ava was excited to be there, but not excited to have her picture taken with so many other fun things going on around her.

Our friends Brooke and Christina joined us for the fun, along with their adorable little girl Isobel.

Once again, Ava donned her paper hat and became a Hershey's Factory Worker. This time, however, she was actually old enough to push the green button and watch her candy dish fill with Hershey's Kisses.

After the girls finished laboring in the factory, we all headed over to the Chocolate World ride.

This was Christian's first trip to Chocolate World, and he was astounded by what he saw.

After eating her free chocolate sample, Ava was much more amenable toward getting her picture taken.

Apparently chocolate really does make children smile.

Christian's Baby Blessing

Christian was blessed during our 9 a.m. church service the day after Danny & Patricia's wedding.

We were all still pretty tired from the reception the night before (plus Christian was up until four in the morning). He nonetheless seemed to sense it was a special day, as he was full of smiles.

Ava was very excited for Christian's big day and wanted to get her picture taken with him...

...Christian, however, was ready to head out.

Krista decided to give Christian a faux-hawk, which he thought made him look tough.

He's a total chick magnet.

Here's his blessing outfit complete with the hat (Christian kept kicking the little knit booties off of his feet).

Thanks to Granny O for buying Christian such a lovely outfit to be blessed in.

Danny & Patricia's Reception

After driving back from the wedding ceremony, we all freshened up and headed over to the reception. Flower girls Abby and Ava were excited to have their pictures taken together.

Larry helped Danny get his boutonniere on straight while we waited for the wedding party to arrive.

Here is the entire wedding party...

The lovely bride with her flower girls...

...and the groom with his nephew Christian (sorry Christian, but you have to be able to walk to be the ring bearer).

After the couple exchanged rings, Patricia changed into her Burmese wedding attire. Her brother Maurice (standing in for their late father) then presented Danny with the Maran family sword as is customary in Kachin culture.

After eating, the dancing began with Ava taking center stage.

By the end of the evening, little Christian was tuckered out.

Ava, on the other hand, was still full of energy as she ran around collecting candles from each of the tables.

Danny and Patricia headed off to begin their new life together.

Congratulations Danny and Patricia. We are so happy for you!

Danny & Patricia's Wedding

Danny (Larry's brother) and Patricia were married Saturday, December 26th in the Washington D.C. Temple.

We took several pictures after the ceremony, including this one of all the Furrs (minus Christian and Abby).

Ava had a fun time waiting out in lobby. In this picture, she is standing inside the window sill of the stained glass which runs vertically along the base edge of the temple's main spire.

Ava also had a lot of fun having her picture taken with the lovely bride. She definitely loves being around her new aunt.

Remarkably, Larry and his brothers all wore the same colored tie.

With the family pictures taken, Danny and Patricia emerged from the temple with that newlywed glow on their faces.

They then strolled around the temple grounds to allow for pictures and video footage.

Being that it was the day after Christmas, the weather was cold and rainy. However, at least it wasn't snowing.

Danny and Patricia made their way over to the temple's visitors' center where everyone else was waiting to stay warm and dry.

Always the consummate gentleman, Danny carried his new bride so that the hem of her dress would stay dry.

Once inside the visitors' center, Ava wanted to try on Patricia's veil. Larry says his daughter will certainly make a very cute bride... in about 30 years.

Christian was excited to hear it was time to go home.

And so we were off back to Pennsylvania for that evening's wedding reception.