Family Ties Dec.3 - 10, 2006

Family Ties December 3-10, 2006

Dear Family,
This week has been filled with pre-Christmas activities. Beginning Monday your mother went with June to the annual Christmas lunch of the quilters group. This year it was held at Martha's home and hosted by June and your mother. The luncheon was most enjoyable and they were pleased that Janeal Thomas was able to attend (the first time in many years because of her ill health). Joy Barber, Helen Madsen, Darlene Hutchison, Carol Sterzer, Verla Hagen, Betty Ulmer were all in attendance. Joy, Helen, Darlene, & Martha are all widows now.
Lowell had driven them to the valley and then went to enjoy a luncheon with his sister. The three of them arrived home just in time to attend the Christmas FHE "Empty Nesters" which was held in the home of Edson & Sharon Packer. There was a large group attending but then the Packer home is a huge home and was decorated for Christmas. Our usual three couples who are not members of the church were in attendance. The evening was an elaborate affair, the food delicious and the association heart-warming.
The RS held their Christmas social and it too was an elaborate affair. The dinner menu gave you the choice of Prime-rib or Turkey, accompanied by all the trimmings for a delicious meal. The theme was: "These Are My Favorite Things" and the opening of the program was the song sung by Melonie Harris. Each sister had brought one of her "favorite" things and their sharing these precious gifts/memories made for a wonderful night. June and your mother took their non-member neighbor, Judy Eddin, who is over 70. Judy bought her cabin about five years ago. She lives alone and is quite the gal...as young as a 50 year old person.
Again on Thursday your mother and June, who are Visting Teaching companions, held a Brunch for their assigned sisters and their own V.T. Everyone enjoyed the relaxation and the spirit of the season. Our home was well prepared and has never looked lovlier than at this Christmas time.
Friday being our date night began with dinner at the new resort and spa called The Zermatt, recently completed across from the Homestead in Midway. It was good, it was too expensive but having a half price coupon made it affordable. We continued our date by attending the third series of "Work and the Glory" called A House Divided. We then enjoyed a lovely hour with David & Jan before retiring for the night.
Following our temple assignment we arrived home at 5p.m. Saturday at the beginning of one of the more enjoyable ward Christmas parties. The evening began with a program of exceptional talent by ward members from primary age on up. Dinner afterwards consisted of a delicious meal served by our young men and young women.
The six or seven major activities this week kept us very busy but each one was so very well done. We are happy to live in a ward where we can feel so much a part of a ward family.