Dear Kids,
Dad and I had lots of fun last week. Tuesday morning we drove to Pocatello to visit Vanessa and Trent and their kids. I also wanted to go to Vanessa’s book club, which was meeting that night. So it was a good chance for a road trip, very nice weather (still no snow) and there’s something about January that you just want to go someplace. Far away. When we arrived in Pocatello we all went to Costco for lunch, and to check out their leftover Christmas candy and leatherbound books. (Naturally I overdosed on the books, and when we got home I discovered that I now have four Jane Austen collections.) Then, that night, Vanessa and I went to her book club, and I wasn’t disappointed. They discussed Watership Down, and I think every lady there had actually finished the book! Normally they only read classics, but Vanessa had persuaded them that "Watership" was a good choice. There were eight ladies there (counting me,) and Vanessa named off several other ladies that usually come. So how is she lucky enough to live in a town where at least 14 ladies like to read classics? Donna says she might be able to get something like that going in Midway. If so, I’ll be there.
While we were driving home from Pocatello Nora called and said that the water at the cabin had mysteriously gone off. There was a trickle now and then, but no more. We had visions of two or three thousand for a new pump, at the least. We suggested that Nora take everybody to our house and settle in for the day (and probably the night.) So when Dad and I got home, it was already a big party, with Nora fixing dinner and the kids watching "Sound of Music" and playing with toys. Dad had called the pump guy, and the next morning he met Dad at the cabin. They checked everything out, and it was only a problem with the controller box. Only $300. The best possible outcome! Still, Nora stayed for most of the day and did laundry. It was great fun.
Friday morning Andy and Renae came to visit, and to see our new house. They admired everything, so that was lots of fun. They had suggested going to lunch, and first I thought of Gateway Grill, but then I realized that Hi Mountain Drug would be a better choice. (Best burgers in Utah, two years running.) Nora and the kids came along, and we consumed lots of fries. And burgers. And we talked about everything under the sun. Now that all my brothers and sisters are grandparents (well, nearly), we don’t get together with each other often enough.
Now we’re back to our normal routine: feeding the cats, driving to Home Depot, and holding down our chess clubs and piano classes. Life is good! Lots of love, Mom
Sunday, January 12, 2014
Dear Kids,
We were supposed to have a major snowstorm, but it wimped out, like always around here. It was the same last year. Every time they predicted a big storm, we got an inch, at most. And that was at the cabin. Here at our house, it’s more like half an inch. And nothing where the wind blows it bare. I keep promising myself I won’t look at any more weather reports, but I keep doing it.
Here’s a message from Heather Colby that she wanted us to pass on: "I am writing to ask for your faith to help Carly and Levi with some worries that they are experiencing. Their daughter, Hadley, has some developmental issues and doesn't seem to be responding to the therapies as they thought she would. You can read the details about it on Carly's blog: thosepearlygates.blogspot.com. Our family is going to have a special prayer, just for them, tomorrow morning before we go to church, and then fast next Sunday (the 19th). We are asking our Heavenly Father to not only comfort them and help them to have hope, but that the doctors they are working with will be able to discover what Hadley needs to continue developing properly. If you would like to join in one or both of these, it would be much appreciated! I know that with the combined faith of our family, miracles can happen."
I hope there can be a miracle for Hadley. I’m sure our prayers will help.
Dad and I went to the fitness center on Friday to walk the track, and Dave Matheny was there timing his boys as they were running. Dave knew that we had moved, and that Nora’s living in the cabin now. I remembered telling Dave once that we would need to move if I ever wanted to teach piano again, and he had said he wanted his boys to learn how to play. So I told him I was all set up to teach again! (I have two students.) He wondered how you know if a child is ready for piano lessons, and I said, "Just ask him. See if he’s willing to practice every day." Enzo is seven now! (He’s the same age as Ali.) Where have the years gone? Anyway, if Enzo starts piano lessons, I hope he has the latin rhythm and the caucasian ambition, not the other way around. It should be interesting.
I saw a doctor at the U. Orthopedic center about my hand, and I’m having surgery on Feb. 24. It’s supposed to be an easy recovery. It will be nice hot having my finger curl up and lock at the worst possible times.
I love you all! Remember Sunday dinner on Feb 2nd! Love, Mom
We were supposed to have a major snowstorm, but it wimped out, like always around here. It was the same last year. Every time they predicted a big storm, we got an inch, at most. And that was at the cabin. Here at our house, it’s more like half an inch. And nothing where the wind blows it bare. I keep promising myself I won’t look at any more weather reports, but I keep doing it.
Here’s a message from Heather Colby that she wanted us to pass on: "I am writing to ask for your faith to help Carly and Levi with some worries that they are experiencing. Their daughter, Hadley, has some developmental issues and doesn't seem to be responding to the therapies as they thought she would. You can read the details about it on Carly's blog: thosepearlygates.blogspot.com. Our family is going to have a special prayer, just for them, tomorrow morning before we go to church, and then fast next Sunday (the 19th). We are asking our Heavenly Father to not only comfort them and help them to have hope, but that the doctors they are working with will be able to discover what Hadley needs to continue developing properly. If you would like to join in one or both of these, it would be much appreciated! I know that with the combined faith of our family, miracles can happen."
I hope there can be a miracle for Hadley. I’m sure our prayers will help.
Dad and I went to the fitness center on Friday to walk the track, and Dave Matheny was there timing his boys as they were running. Dave knew that we had moved, and that Nora’s living in the cabin now. I remembered telling Dave once that we would need to move if I ever wanted to teach piano again, and he had said he wanted his boys to learn how to play. So I told him I was all set up to teach again! (I have two students.) He wondered how you know if a child is ready for piano lessons, and I said, "Just ask him. See if he’s willing to practice every day." Enzo is seven now! (He’s the same age as Ali.) Where have the years gone? Anyway, if Enzo starts piano lessons, I hope he has the latin rhythm and the caucasian ambition, not the other way around. It should be interesting.
I saw a doctor at the U. Orthopedic center about my hand, and I’m having surgery on Feb. 24. It’s supposed to be an easy recovery. It will be nice hot having my finger curl up and lock at the worst possible times.
I love you all! Remember Sunday dinner on Feb 2nd! Love, Mom
Sunday, January 5, 2014
Dear Kids,
It’s so barren around here! No snow! Well, there are probably three or four inches out there somewhere, but around the house, where the wind sweeps it clean, I’m still looking at the same dirt and rocks that annoyed me so much last fall. Since it’s fast Sunday, I’m sure lots of people are fasting for snow. I like it mainly for its looks, but the farmers and ranchers need it for their crops and their cattle, and the ski resorts need it for skiers and snowboarders. (By the way, that’s another reason we want snow–I want to go snowboarding at Brighton as soon as possible.)
I have an appointment in Salt Lake tomorrow to see an orthopedic doctor about my right hand. Have any of you heard of trigger finger? Your middle finger curls up suddenly and locks in place, and nothing will open it up. You can’t pull it open, even if you could stand the pain. It lasts anywhere from a few minutes to an hour, and then, mysteriously, your finger uncurls and you’re back to normal. I try to ignore it when it happens, but it’s hard to play the piano or use power tools without that middle finger. A lady in my senior piano class had the same thing, so she referred me to the doctor who fixed it.
I sent out a "holiday" letter on New Years, to let our old friends know where we are. We’ve been dropped from most of their Christmas card lists, and I want to get back on. As part of my letter, I naturally told them a little bit about each of you. If you want a copy of the letter, let me know, OK?
Our chess club in Heber is still limping along with just three people: Dad, myself, and Laura Ribinski. (Some of you met her at the sledding party. She came because she wanted to see what a big Mormon family looks like.) So, with only three people in chess club, we have lots of freedom to talk about whatever we want, which is usually the Mormon Church. Laura is very interested in everything about the Mormons, but she says she won’t convert. Still, she has a Book of Mormon, her ward mission leader knows where she lives, she has visiting teachers, and she’s met the missionaries. I hope we can soon take it to the next level.
Mark your calendars now for Sunday dinner at our house on February 2, if you think you can come. We’ll eat at 4:00, unless we need to move it back to 5. Our house is up for it! It has shown us that it can hold up to a crowd.
I hope you’re all doin’ great and lovin’ it! Mom
It’s so barren around here! No snow! Well, there are probably three or four inches out there somewhere, but around the house, where the wind sweeps it clean, I’m still looking at the same dirt and rocks that annoyed me so much last fall. Since it’s fast Sunday, I’m sure lots of people are fasting for snow. I like it mainly for its looks, but the farmers and ranchers need it for their crops and their cattle, and the ski resorts need it for skiers and snowboarders. (By the way, that’s another reason we want snow–I want to go snowboarding at Brighton as soon as possible.)
I have an appointment in Salt Lake tomorrow to see an orthopedic doctor about my right hand. Have any of you heard of trigger finger? Your middle finger curls up suddenly and locks in place, and nothing will open it up. You can’t pull it open, even if you could stand the pain. It lasts anywhere from a few minutes to an hour, and then, mysteriously, your finger uncurls and you’re back to normal. I try to ignore it when it happens, but it’s hard to play the piano or use power tools without that middle finger. A lady in my senior piano class had the same thing, so she referred me to the doctor who fixed it.
I sent out a "holiday" letter on New Years, to let our old friends know where we are. We’ve been dropped from most of their Christmas card lists, and I want to get back on. As part of my letter, I naturally told them a little bit about each of you. If you want a copy of the letter, let me know, OK?
Our chess club in Heber is still limping along with just three people: Dad, myself, and Laura Ribinski. (Some of you met her at the sledding party. She came because she wanted to see what a big Mormon family looks like.) So, with only three people in chess club, we have lots of freedom to talk about whatever we want, which is usually the Mormon Church. Laura is very interested in everything about the Mormons, but she says she won’t convert. Still, she has a Book of Mormon, her ward mission leader knows where she lives, she has visiting teachers, and she’s met the missionaries. I hope we can soon take it to the next level.
Mark your calendars now for Sunday dinner at our house on February 2, if you think you can come. We’ll eat at 4:00, unless we need to move it back to 5. Our house is up for it! It has shown us that it can hold up to a crowd.
I hope you’re all doin’ great and lovin’ it! Mom
Monday, December 30, 2013
Dear Kids,
All of Christmas was fun! The hike up Memorial Hill, Christmas dinner at our house, the sledding party at the cabin–thanks to all of you for making it a great celebration. And thanks again for the beautiful quilt you all went in on. I make our bed as early as possible every morning, just for the fun of spreading it out and seeing how good it looks.
Most of you have probably heard Monica’s wonderful announcement, that there’s another little Prendergast on the way. We hope everything goes well. She says they probably won’t be able to come to the family reunion, since her due date is July 20th. We’ll definitely miss them, but we’re glad they’ll have a new little baby, and Jackson will have a sibling. And Ramona, too.
Last night Dad and I had a couple in our ward over for dinner, and it was odd to set the table for just four people. I realized it was the first time since we were newlyweds that we’d sat down to dinner with just one other couple. But it was fun. Our ward has lots of people about our age, and we need to get to know them better. The husband has been into real estate and property development, and I wanted to play Monopoly, just to see if land developers are any better at it than the rest of us. Dad won! He had incredibly good luck, I have to say. He put four houses each on Park Place and Boardwalk, and we all managed to land on them, while he sat safely in jail. The land developer was the first one to fold! I was second. Congrats to Dad!
But speaking of Sunday dinners, I want to get back onto a schedule of fixing big dinners where all of you are invited. I’m thinking the first Sunday of each month, since it’s fast Sunday and there aren’t so many meetings. I’m planning the first one on February 2nd. Mark your calendars! We’ll eat either at 4:00 or 5:00 pm, depending on everybody’s new schedules.
Life is good! I wish you all a Happy New Year! Love, Mom
All of Christmas was fun! The hike up Memorial Hill, Christmas dinner at our house, the sledding party at the cabin–thanks to all of you for making it a great celebration. And thanks again for the beautiful quilt you all went in on. I make our bed as early as possible every morning, just for the fun of spreading it out and seeing how good it looks.
Most of you have probably heard Monica’s wonderful announcement, that there’s another little Prendergast on the way. We hope everything goes well. She says they probably won’t be able to come to the family reunion, since her due date is July 20th. We’ll definitely miss them, but we’re glad they’ll have a new little baby, and Jackson will have a sibling. And Ramona, too.
Last night Dad and I had a couple in our ward over for dinner, and it was odd to set the table for just four people. I realized it was the first time since we were newlyweds that we’d sat down to dinner with just one other couple. But it was fun. Our ward has lots of people about our age, and we need to get to know them better. The husband has been into real estate and property development, and I wanted to play Monopoly, just to see if land developers are any better at it than the rest of us. Dad won! He had incredibly good luck, I have to say. He put four houses each on Park Place and Boardwalk, and we all managed to land on them, while he sat safely in jail. The land developer was the first one to fold! I was second. Congrats to Dad!
But speaking of Sunday dinners, I want to get back onto a schedule of fixing big dinners where all of you are invited. I’m thinking the first Sunday of each month, since it’s fast Sunday and there aren’t so many meetings. I’m planning the first one on February 2nd. Mark your calendars! We’ll eat either at 4:00 or 5:00 pm, depending on everybody’s new schedules.
Life is good! I wish you all a Happy New Year! Love, Mom
Sunday, December 22, 2013
Dear Kids,
I’ve been incredibly busy (but who hasn’t) the last two weeks, so now I’m finally sitting down to write a "Mom" letter. The presents are nearly all wrapped, the tree is up, a few decorations are out, so I can relax. Even though you kids are all grown up and I’m not responsible for making you happy on Christmas, old habits die hard. I still feel a lot of pressure to get Christmas "done."
We all enjoyed the cousins’ gift exchange last Saturday at the cabin, and I was completely flabbergasted at the present you all went in on: the "midnight bears" quilt. I fell in love with it when I first saw it at BB&B, but it was so dang expensive I knew I could never justify buying it. So many thanks to you all! It looks fabulous on our bed. It looks like it was made especially for our room. Naturally Dad is less excited than I am, but he really enjoyed the macadamia chocolates that he got.
Thanks to all of you who came to hear the Messiah in Heber! Now that it’s over with, I can’t wait for next year. It was especially nice singing with Dad and Nora and Tom. Maybe some of the rest of you will be able to join us next year?
And who can believe that it’s finally Christmas week! Tuesday night (Christmas Eve) we'll be doing our traditional hike up Memorial Hill in Midway. Let’s meet at the bottom of the hill at 7:00 pm, OK? Afterwards, we can go to Donna and Bevan’s for hot chocolate. And maybe some Christmas stories? Maybe we can give a prize for the best story (and storyteller). That might be something fun to add to our tradition. Even familiar stories like Giant Grummer and Granny Glittens are always worth re-telling.
On Christmas day I’m fixing Christmas dinner at our house, and we’re planning to eat about 1 pm, but we could move that back an hour or two if that would help anybody with their scheduling. Afterwards we can play games, so bring anything new you got for Christmas, or anything old, either. I’m willing to break away from chess for at least one day.
And of course Thursday will be our sledding party at the cabin. I don’t know who’s coming, but it will be fun. I’ll be making sloppy jo’s, and why don’t you all bring your Christmas leftovers: cookies, candy, other goodies, or even real food, if there’s something you didn’t eat up. There’s plenty of snow on the sledding hill, and the forecast is for mostly sunny with a high of 30 degrees. There will be no stoppin’ the fun!
What a great life we have! Lot of love, Mom
I’ve been incredibly busy (but who hasn’t) the last two weeks, so now I’m finally sitting down to write a "Mom" letter. The presents are nearly all wrapped, the tree is up, a few decorations are out, so I can relax. Even though you kids are all grown up and I’m not responsible for making you happy on Christmas, old habits die hard. I still feel a lot of pressure to get Christmas "done."
We all enjoyed the cousins’ gift exchange last Saturday at the cabin, and I was completely flabbergasted at the present you all went in on: the "midnight bears" quilt. I fell in love with it when I first saw it at BB&B, but it was so dang expensive I knew I could never justify buying it. So many thanks to you all! It looks fabulous on our bed. It looks like it was made especially for our room. Naturally Dad is less excited than I am, but he really enjoyed the macadamia chocolates that he got.
Thanks to all of you who came to hear the Messiah in Heber! Now that it’s over with, I can’t wait for next year. It was especially nice singing with Dad and Nora and Tom. Maybe some of the rest of you will be able to join us next year?
And who can believe that it’s finally Christmas week! Tuesday night (Christmas Eve) we'll be doing our traditional hike up Memorial Hill in Midway. Let’s meet at the bottom of the hill at 7:00 pm, OK? Afterwards, we can go to Donna and Bevan’s for hot chocolate. And maybe some Christmas stories? Maybe we can give a prize for the best story (and storyteller). That might be something fun to add to our tradition. Even familiar stories like Giant Grummer and Granny Glittens are always worth re-telling.
On Christmas day I’m fixing Christmas dinner at our house, and we’re planning to eat about 1 pm, but we could move that back an hour or two if that would help anybody with their scheduling. Afterwards we can play games, so bring anything new you got for Christmas, or anything old, either. I’m willing to break away from chess for at least one day.
And of course Thursday will be our sledding party at the cabin. I don’t know who’s coming, but it will be fun. I’ll be making sloppy jo’s, and why don’t you all bring your Christmas leftovers: cookies, candy, other goodies, or even real food, if there’s something you didn’t eat up. There’s plenty of snow on the sledding hill, and the forecast is for mostly sunny with a high of 30 degrees. There will be no stoppin’ the fun!
What a great life we have! Lot of love, Mom
Monday, December 9, 2013
Dear Kids,
It’s been very cold here. We hit -9 Thursday morning, but it was -16 at the cabin. Funny how it’s so much colder there, even though it’s the same elevation. People tell us it’s the cold canyon wind. Nora says they’ve been burning lots of wood. Luckily there’s a big stack. When Dad and I were piling it all up last summer, we figured there wouldn’t be anybody at the cabin to burn it. We should have known!
The cousins’ Christmas gift exchange is this Saturday at noon at the cabin. There will be sledding, of course. For food assignments and other details, call Nora, if you haven’t heard from her. Thanks, Nora, for putting it together!
Dad and Tom and Nora and I have been diligently practicing the Messiah, and our performances are this coming Saturday and Sunday nights. (The 14th and 15th.) Saturday it’s at the Tompanogos Valley Theater bulding, 90 North 100 West in Heber, and Sunday night it’s at the Heber Stake Center, at the corner of 200 North and 200 West, also in Heber, of course. I think both performances are at 7:00 pm. Both of them are sing-alongs, so bring your music, if you have it! We’ll probably have an after-party Sunday night, time and place as yet unknown. Dad and I would be happy to host it here, but Heber or Midway would be more convenient.
Christmas itself isn’t that far away! Dad and I hope some of you will join us on our Christmas Eve climb up Memorial Hill. (I know, it was always Ensign Peak before, but we’ve relocated the adventure.) I’m sure we’ll have hot chocolate somewhere afterwards. Then, for Christmas Day, I’m not sure what we’re doing. Does anybody want to have Christmas dinner here at our house? That might be fun. Let me know! The day after, of course, will be our sledding party at the cabin. (I know we’ll be sledding on Saturday, but this is the "official" sledding party. Besides, is it possible to have too many sledding parties?) I’ll have more details later.
So much fun! Such a family! Love, Mom
Monday, December 2, 2013
Dear Kids,
Thanksgiving is over, and now Christmas is knocking at the door. By the way, thanks to everybody who helped make our Thanksgiving wonderful. Thanks especially for the great food you brought! It was the best of everybody’s cooking. (Even Smith’s.) We were blessed with a beautiful day–a good day for hiking up the hill, or loafing, or whatever. Also, for giving thanks.
John and Heather are settling into their new house, and it’s absolutely beautiful. It’s also very grand. When they were showing us through it, I kept thinking we’d seen it all, and then we’d come to another part. Their lot is more than an acre, so there’s lots of room for Heather to garden (and for the deer to come and grange on it.) Last night all our Heber Valley and Kamas Valley families were there–sort of an informal house warming–and the cousins were romping around in their usual fun way. Dad and Tom and Nora and I came late, because we were at the Messiah practice in Heber. (Tom persuaded Nora to join up.) By the way, having Nora sit next to me at Messiah practice is the best help I could ever have. She and Tom are both "Mr. Wilson protegees," and they really know the Messiah. The altos also had a lady who used to sing in the Mo Tab, and she really knew it, too. For one practice at least, I had it made. Our performances are on the 14th and the 15th, which brings up the family Christmas party, which will probably be on the 14th, in Heber. Our Messiah dress rehearsal is at 8:30 that morning, and the performance that evening is at 6:30 or 7:00, I think. So, maybe we could make the performance part of the family party, at least for the grown-ups. It’s a sing along, so you can join in!
Nora’s kids seem to be settling in at school here. Dad drives Adelaide to the middle school first thing on his route, and then he comes back for the rest of the kids, and takes them down to the bus stop at the bottom of the hill. All the small-town perks are in place. Nora was able to buy a resident family pass to the fitness center because the lady at the desk was one of Paige’s teachers at school, and recognized her. Benjamin’s new friend in his class is our bishop’s son, and takes piano from me. I only wish Nora and James could live here forever, (and all the rest of you, too–we’d be like the old-timers with their big family compounds) but the new house in Centerville is progressing. Sigh.
But life is good. I love you all. Mom
Thanksgiving is over, and now Christmas is knocking at the door. By the way, thanks to everybody who helped make our Thanksgiving wonderful. Thanks especially for the great food you brought! It was the best of everybody’s cooking. (Even Smith’s.) We were blessed with a beautiful day–a good day for hiking up the hill, or loafing, or whatever. Also, for giving thanks.
John and Heather are settling into their new house, and it’s absolutely beautiful. It’s also very grand. When they were showing us through it, I kept thinking we’d seen it all, and then we’d come to another part. Their lot is more than an acre, so there’s lots of room for Heather to garden (and for the deer to come and grange on it.) Last night all our Heber Valley and Kamas Valley families were there–sort of an informal house warming–and the cousins were romping around in their usual fun way. Dad and Tom and Nora and I came late, because we were at the Messiah practice in Heber. (Tom persuaded Nora to join up.) By the way, having Nora sit next to me at Messiah practice is the best help I could ever have. She and Tom are both "Mr. Wilson protegees," and they really know the Messiah. The altos also had a lady who used to sing in the Mo Tab, and she really knew it, too. For one practice at least, I had it made. Our performances are on the 14th and the 15th, which brings up the family Christmas party, which will probably be on the 14th, in Heber. Our Messiah dress rehearsal is at 8:30 that morning, and the performance that evening is at 6:30 or 7:00, I think. So, maybe we could make the performance part of the family party, at least for the grown-ups. It’s a sing along, so you can join in!
Nora’s kids seem to be settling in at school here. Dad drives Adelaide to the middle school first thing on his route, and then he comes back for the rest of the kids, and takes them down to the bus stop at the bottom of the hill. All the small-town perks are in place. Nora was able to buy a resident family pass to the fitness center because the lady at the desk was one of Paige’s teachers at school, and recognized her. Benjamin’s new friend in his class is our bishop’s son, and takes piano from me. I only wish Nora and James could live here forever, (and all the rest of you, too–we’d be like the old-timers with their big family compounds) but the new house in Centerville is progressing. Sigh.
But life is good. I love you all. Mom
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