Family Ties Dec.17 - 31, 2006

FAMILY TIES DEC. 17-31, 2006

Dear Family,
Our unusually busy Christmas schedule took us off schedule, so tonight marks two weeks since our last writing.
During the week of the 17th, we enjoyed a Christmas lunch as guests of Lowell & June Sorenson and received a Christmas Box of fruit from our Bishopric who had his YW organization delive and sing Christmas carols. We were next favored with our Home Teacher who likewise brought a beautiful basket of fruits and Melinda's delicious carmels. On December 23rd we picked up Jinsook Lee from her dormitory at BYU to spend the week with us. That evening the three of us were invited as guests of the Payne family at their annual Joseph Smith's birthday fireside. It was especially interesting to hear a marvlous presentation by Buddy Youngren who has spent a good part of his life studying and writing about the prophet Joseph.
We stayed in Highland Saturday night and attended the Tabernacle Choir & Spoken Word broadcast. This was a special treat to us and especially to Jinsook who had never been in the conference center nor see the choir in person. The scenery and backdrop was beautiful for the large audience that filled well over half the conference center. We then took a tour of Temple Square which is always delightful.
David and Jan had invited us to attend their ward Christmas Cantata where several of their family were participants. However, at the very same time, Lisa & Trevor here from California were having their baby, Sarah Marie, blessed and we attended her blessing, our latest great grandchild.
We arrived home that Christmas Eve early enough to welcome members of Davids family who came to spend Christmas with us. First to arrive were Spencer, Emily, Benjamin, Natalie, Monica, Christine, Mary Jane & children (to be with us while husband was working). Later David, Jan, Angela & Jaynann came and all of us enjoyed a traditional Fondue Christmas Eve dinner. Times don't change too much as we witnessed some staying up until wee hours of the morning making preparation for the opening of presents.
On Christmas morning, contrary to the old times when children arose at 5a.m. or earlier, most slept in except for us, who got up early and enjoyed an energizing walk in this beautiful Christmas land. Upon our return most were up and breakfast was being prepared. Their tradition of eating before opening presents opened was carried forth and by now, everyone was anxious to see what Santa had brought. Another tradition was to have a present opened and appreciation shown before the next present was opened. What a lovely way to see what each received and gratitude shown.
While Christmas dinner was being prepared by some, others were out sleigh riding. Spencer & Emily had to leave to spend time with her family but Curtis, Desiree and her two brothers came then to join in on the sleigh riding and the Christmas dinner. Many hands make light work as the dinner/clean up made it so that no one person was left out of the activities/fun of Christmas and yet, all enjoyed a delicious dinner. This was as near a perfect Christmas as one could want.
Tuesday, Michael/Cyndi & family and Mary Jane/Andrew & family joined in the sleigh riding and what fun it was to see the children so exhuberant as they rode down on sleighs these snow packed roads. Everyone headed for home that night excdept Jan, Jaynann, Ben & Monica who stayed the night to pack up and go home in daylight. They left Wednesday morning and we were feeling so alone when Ann called to see if Dan could bring up Trevor/Lisa and children up to sleigh ride. What fun that was as Adam and Anna took to sleigh riding like a duck takes to water and while they were having that fun, your mother was having even more fun tending her new great granddaughter that carries her name. We love having "family" enjoy the Family Cabin and the beautiful land of nature surrounding.
Friday we took Jinsook to the airport where her sister Meesun, was arriving from Korea at 10p.m. She will be attending the U to improve upon the English language and will probably be here through May. Jinsook was excited to see her sister and they chattered all the way to Provo where we dropped them off at Jinsooks.
Spending the night in Highland, we left early to stop at Martha's for holiday greetings before going to the Lion House for our Annual Christmas Luncheon with our children. This is always the highlight of our holidays and this year even moreso since we missed last year. Not only that, but there was a special spirit of love that permeated in the "Parlor" of Brigham Young's home. A large and beautiful Christmas tree dorned the exquisite wrapped presents placed beneath by members of the family in whose name they had.
This tradition is looked forward to each year by every one of us. It is a time to just enjoy one another and enjoy a delicious lunch which Debbie/Ed always make the arrangements for. This year was exceptional. Noone was in a hurry and after enjoying our lunch, we opened our presents where everyone seemed delighted with the gift they received. Then we spoke of the future and considerations of events for the coming New Year. Those considerations are given on the preceeding blog.
We left reluctantly around 3p.m. this most glorious event knowing the only way it could have been better is to have had the Thomas's and Madsen's with us. Truly we were on a high as we returned home reveling in the harmony and love felt among our precious family.
Now it is New Years Eve and the conclusion of a great year. We "Count Our Blessings" and are looking foreward to this brand New Year with hope of an even greater year ahead.
HAPPY NEW YEAR to each one of you!!! Please know how much we love you and our prayers are that we ALL might enjoy the blessings the Lord has in store for us by our righteous choices.
All our love,
Mom & Dad (Grandma & Grandpa)