Thursday, December 22, 2011

Dear Kids,
           Dad and I have a new plan for Christmas Eve: instead of hiking Ensign Peak, we’re going to hike up Memorial Hill in Midway, you know, that cone-shaped mountain near the edge of town, with the spiral road going up it. We’ve changed our plans because Donna and Bevan really wanted to do the hike with us, and it would save them a ton of driving back and forth. I think it’s a great idea! We’re probably going to start the hike about 7:00. You families in Heber, especially, if you’re free that time on Christmas Eve, we’d love to have you join us. Anybody else, too. I realize it’s a non-traditional way to spend Christmas Eve, but it’s sure a lot of fun.
           Tonight is the Kamas Valley Christmas program, where Dad and I will be singing in the choir. It’s at the Marion Stake Center. The nativity and kids’ singing starts at 6:00, and the choir program is at 7:00.
           And don’t forget the sledding party the day after Christmas, at the cabin! I’m making sloppy jo’s. If you’re coming, let us know, OK? There isn’t much snow at the cabin, but the hill is fine. It’s always snow-packed. We’ll probably eat about noon, or maybe a little after that.
           Many thanks to Nora, and everybody who helped pull off the family Christmas party last Saturday. The skating was fun and the food was great. The presents were great, too. Dad and I are still marveling over the season tickets you guys gave us to Hale Center Theater. I was totally surprised and delighted.
           Our Christmas music open house on Tuesday night was a great success. 40 people came. Nora and Addie played a really nice duet on the piano, and Nora played a solo. All my current piano students played, and the Cook family sang. At the end, we sang all the Christmas songs in the hymn book, from Joy to the World to the end, all the verses. It’s our third or fourth year for doing that. I’ll say one thing–we were very loud. Cathy Newton always accompanies us on the piano.
           Well, there are only three days now until Christmas. Oreo is parked under the Christmas tree, guarding my present to Dad, which is very large. He sits there every day, guarding the present. After Christmas, he won’t have living-room privileges any more.
           Lots of love, Mom

Friday, December 9, 2011

Dear Kids,
      I’m sitting, waiting for Randy Pons to come and tune our piano. He and his wife Altagracia live in the house behind us, where Hixsons used to live. They’ve been in the Spanish branch for years, although Randy doesn’t speak Spanish. (He always works with the young men.) I’m getting the piano tuned because Tuesday night, December 20, at 7:00 pm, is our Christmas Music open house. It would be great if you could bring your kids and yourselves and perform Christmas music for us–singing, piano songs, flute, guitar, anything. It’s our sixth consecutive year, and it’s always lots of fun. We’ll have cookies and punch, and probably other goodies, as well.
      Before that, of course, is the family party on December 17, at Nora’s house. Her e-mail says, “The rough plan is to meet at 4 to go ice skating at the Kearns Oquirrh Oval (where the Olympics were). There is also a possible opportunity of going to see a home in South Jordan where the family collects and does a 30 minute tour of a 100 nativities they've collected from around the world Also, on Saturdays, you can tour the house built in Daybreak that looks like the house on UP. That might be fun too. For the food I thought we could do the Mexican fiesta again. delish no? I'll make 7 layer dip and some honey lime chicken enchiladas. See you on the 17th!”
      I agree, it will all be fun. Here’s the cousin exchange list, if you don’t already have it: Julie - Bentley; Jacob - Emma; Aaron - Paige; Aubrey - Luke; Adelaide - Abigail; Benjamin - Macie; Paige - Julie; Stuart - Aaron; Isaac - Jacob; Sterling - Ali; Sarah - Lucy; Meg- Carson; Macie - Matthew; Luke - Aubrey; Bentley - Sterling; Emma - Charlie; Ali - Elli; Abigail - Anna; Carson - Stuart; Elli - Jackson; Jackson - Sarah; Anna - Adelaide; Charlie - Ben; Matthew - Meg; Lucy - Isaac.
      The Kamas Valley community Christmas program is Thursday night, December 22, at the stake center in Marion. They’ve always had it on a Sunday night before, and this is their first time doing in on a week night. The activities start at 6:00 pm, and I’m not sure what’s going on. Our choir program starts at 7:00. This might be your only opportunity EVER to hear me sing in a choir, so you might not want to miss it. Just kidding. The choir is really good, though–Dad says it’s the best choir he’s ever sung in, even better than his beloved high school madrigals. I haven’t told anybody that it’s my first choir ever, and I just pretend like I know what I’m doing. So far everybody’s been very polite to me.
      Christmas itself is coming up very fast! Dad and I will be at the cabin on Christmas Day, since it’s a Sunday, although we’re planning to tour Heber Valley that afternoon to see what Santa brought the grandkids there. Monday the 26th will be our usual sledding party at the cabin.
      So much fun! Love, Mom