Holiday...2007

The Christmas trees are down and stored away, the star on the Fruit Heights Mountain is dark, the last of the goodies are eaten, broken or thrown away and the house looks a little bare. It has been a most wonderful Holiday Season. We have been able to spend time with family and friends and we have enjoyed every second of it. Highlights:
* The Season was kicked of by a traditional dinner (this year at the Mandarin) with my mom and Mike and Beth on my dad's birthday.
* Our annual dinner for the Home Teaching families,the McKay's, Roberts, Kramers and Reba. We had a very nice evening and my "rare", home cooked meal turned out pretty spectacular. (Marinated Pork Loin, Roasted Vegetables, Cheese-Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Semi-homemade rolls, Salad and cheesecake)
*The live nativity in the Glen in Salt Lake was special this year; Macy and Ryan and Baby Molly June were Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus. It was most special to take Rex and Lucy to see their parents. They didn't want to leave the stable, but wanted to watch their mom and dad as they stood posing in the stable.
*Rex's Yalecrest Ward nativity where he portrayed a donkey.
* Spur of the moment trip to Arizona to surprise Reed's mom for a pre-Christmas visit. Diane so graciously offered her plane and we all happily boarded the jet taking Macy, Baby Molly June, Molly, Oliver and Ali. We spent a quick afternoon in Grandma Sue's warm backyard and then went to dinner, returning home to Salt Lake later that evening.
* Reed and I celebrated our 34th wedding anniversary at Log Haven on December 18th. It is always fun to go out a week before Christmas, just the two of us, and have a special and FANCY meal together in a beautiful setting.
* The arrival of Ali from New York and Amby, Tyson and girls (Tenley and Ashton)from California. We were so grateful that baby Ashton was able to come. (She has had RSV and will be facing heart surgery in a month or two)
*Christmas Eve was a beautiful snowy night and our family was together including my mother for this special evening once again. It was also Rex's birthday and we celebrated his special day along with Christmas Eve. We had several kinds of fresh seafood,crab cakes, clam chowder, salad, bread and baked potatoes. Dessert was Frozen Snowballs with Fudge Sauce or Pastry Baked Apples. After dinner, our annual program which was written several years ago by Amby, where all participate in reading scripture, singing and of course our 7 grandchildren did a most unique nativity. We then did our usual passing of the green ball where each person takes a turn saying something they are grateful for or something special about this past year. We then opened presents starting with PJ's for all and then we went ahead and unwrapped everything. It was a fun night. Christmas morning, we had a big breakfast with the Murdock's, Ali, my mom and Reed and I, and the rest of the day was pretty relaxed. Pearce's and Bell's did return later and we served the Pei Wei Buffet. (Julie was tired of cooking)
* Ski trip with everyone including Rex,Lucy, Tenley and Ike!! (What a fun sight)
* Sushi Dinner sitting on the floor around a low table
* Grandchild sleepover with Aunt Ali
* Breakfast at Paradise Bakery with Glo, my brother and his family
* Ali's 24th birthday dinner with all adults (except those with the flu or with back injuries from the ski trip) at Lugano Restaurant
* New Year's Eve with Snow's and Richards at the Boulevard and a movie (a very fun night)
* New Year's Day we had treats and goodies and games with Pew's, Pearce's and Bells.
It was all a great celebration. It is always sad to see the Holiday go and even more sad to say good-bye to Ali and Tyson, Amby, Tenley and little Ashton. We hope we will be together soon.