Thanks to all of you for the great birthday gifts, the outstanding Christmas gifts and the wonderful family memories. Both Dad and I are grateful for all of you, each family member, and for the joy you bring to our lives.
The trip in early December to see the Nutcracker, which Alyssa danced in, was quite the experience. Siovhan, Mary, Julie and I got on the freeway by UVSC at 5:15 p.m. We arrived, because of the terrible snowstorm, at Thanksgiving Point at 7:20 p.m. The program, thank goodness, was late starting because even the director was late. It was to have started at 7 p.m. It was a great performance and Julie is still speaking to us all (she drove).
We enjoyed the month of December. It was busy with Dad and Jim spending a lot of time with the bees getting them to California for the rest of the winter. We sandwiched in a little shopping, saw a few programs, had two temple parties (I got food poisoning at one) and managed to get the lights up, and, thanks to grandkids, got the trees decorated. We even managed to make some gingerbread houses. Then to top my Christmas wish list, at last, I got the work done for my long-awaited downstairs bathroom! What a joy that is for me. I guess I won’t ever have to turn the washer on and make a mad dash for the upstairs ever again! Whew!!!! Of course, the downside is that I may gain weight from the inactivity.
Having a visit from all of you for Christmas was great. Even Kirsten, Jared and girls got to be here for Christmas, in person. Because of the sadness of Jared’s cousin’s death (He was married to our relative.) they were here for Christmas. (Thanks for going to the funeral and representing the family, Shawn. It was appreciated!) At one time or another during the holidays, Shawn, Kimberly and family; Eric, Amy and family; AnnMarie, Brandon and family; Jim, Julie and Mary; Kirsten, Jared and family; and Erin and Donovin all were here to visit us. We got to see and enjoy all of those family members here. Then we had the joy of going to see the ones who lived out-of state—Melanie, Howard and family; and Todd, Amy and family.
We had a wonderful time being present for Mikaela’s baptism. We appreciated the opportunity to say a few words and share our ideas about the gospel at the baptism. Thanks for asking us to do that, Mikaela. We also had fun with the family going to Mystic Seaport, to the movies, going to Harvard museum where they have everything from dinosaurs to glass flowers that were made in the early 1800s, having a family home evening, celebrating New Year’s Eve and Day and all the other great things we did together, including attending church. Dad even helped shovel snow and put in new lights for Melanie’s living room and computer room.
In Ohio we met little Hailey Maxine who is a beauty. One look at the photos on the CD and you will see that we are not prejudiced at all. What a joy to get to know her and to visit with the family. We were there for the blessing, as planned. In addition, we did a lot of Ohio things. We got to go to the Amish area, visit a cheese factory and a bakery and eat out. We also saw where Todd works, a large basket factory and went to Columbus a couple of times. We visited a great museum where there are all sorts of items of Ohio history from early Indians and pioneers to engines and modern objects. It was a very hands-on place and we enjoyed it. Dad got to go to scouts with Todd and the boys and the girls and I went to Emily’s dance and gymnastics class. Todd has a beautiful home and one of the biggest master bedrooms I have ever seen. It is big enough for some people to have for a house! I know a couple of early log cabins would fit inside.
Next week we will see two grandsons, Dane and Kyle, receive their Arrow of Light awards (in two separate ceremonies). That will be wonderful.
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