Dear Kids,
      I didn’t write a letter last week because I talked to everybody on Christmas (and saw most of you, too.) I’m having trouble sitting down and writing today because my life seems so boring and pointless. Christmas is over. Sharon and Seth and Charlie are going back to Michigan tonight. All the fun things are done. Our final party was at Nora and James’s house last night. We ate dinner and played catch phrase and watched the Jazz play the Lakers, and it was a riot, but the fun can’t last forever, I guess.
      Did everybody hear that Richard and Jeanne are moving to Calgary, Canada? Richard has been spending a lot of time there for his work, and it’s a long commute. They’ll probably sell their house in South Jordan. Matt is finishing up his senior year at Bingham High, and he’ll stay here. Michael, too. The girls will probably have a good experience living in another culture. I guess Calgary is a lot more slowed-down, less liberal, than BC, where Paul is, but it will still be a big change for them.
      Another bit of family news which is pretty old by now is that my sister Katie was arrested at Justin & Laurie's gas station, where she works, for selling beer to an under-age undercover. (At least they said she was underage. They never did show Katie any ID, when she asked to see it later.) Katie was booked into the Utah County Jail, had a mug shot taken, and was then released until court date. When she appeared before the judge, he fined her about $500, and she can’t sell beer for a year. Katie was wondering if she ought to use her mug shot on her Christmas cards! She said the whole incident was really depressing.
      Dad was grateful for all the presents you kids gave him, and he was even asking me where I keep the thank-you cards, so he might be sending some. I’m also enjoying all the wonderful presents you gave me. The most unique gift was definitely from Monica, the “Kitty candid” professional portraits of Ramona. I hung up one at the cabin, and the other one is lined up on the kitchen buffet counter with the rest of the grandchildren. I tell people, “She’s just a little bit furry . . . “ Another fun an unique gift was a laser level from Tom, but it’s more like a corner-maker. It shoots out red lines that are exactly 90° from each other, stretching out about 50 feet in each direction. So if anybody needs to lay tile anytime soon, it would be a great way to draw lines to lay the tile along.
      As you can see, I’m having trouble thinking of any news. It was fun seeing everyone who came to the Cabin on Christmas night, and the day after. There’s been more snow since then, but I think the sledding was about as fun as it possibly could have been. The next night was the party with Dad’s cousins, and for those of you who weren’t there, they haven’t changed at all. Still fun. Still having lots of adventures to tell us about. Next year they want to have the party at our cabin.
      I just finished eating a carton of fudge brownie ice cream so it would stop calling to me from the freezer. Tomorrow I’m going to start a whole new life–not so much junk food and chocolate.
      Sharon and Seth and I wasted two hours watching the Japanese animated movie “Spirited Away” this morning. It had 4½ stars on Amazon, so I thought it would be really good. Don’t watch it after you’ve overeaten–that’s all I can say. The creatures are always throwing up.
      Hope you’re all having a happy new year! Lots of Love, Mom