We've had our fill of Ward Choir Programs!

We first went to West Haven to hear Sharon and her girls sing on the program with the ward choir. The 3 older ones sing with the choir. Reagan joined her sisters in singing "Star Bright." Very nice!

We saw an old friend who moved into the ward 3 years ago - Mary Jean Brown Leatham. She is the ward chorister. It was great to see her again! We also saw Butch and Rachel Campbell (former members of our ward) and Dad's cousin and his wife - Jack and Joan Patterson.

Next we traveled to Plain City where Mike performed with his ward choir. It was a great program too - although I missed hearing Mike sing a solo!

Back to North Ogden 25th (Singles) Ward to hear Lisa and her friend, Amber Taylor, sing a duet of "Oh Holy Night." They sang a Capella and did a nice job! I enjoyed the music and talks of the singles ward members (in spite of myself!)

December 19th - Allison's Pre-school Program and a long wait...

Friday was a snow day. We left early for Bountiful so we could watch Allison, Marianne and Joann sing in "Miss Jeri's Pre-school Program." They started off the show, singing "When Christmas Comes to Town." Both girls thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Alli loves the microphone and isn't the least bit shy about grabbing it and singing her guts out! Marianne is a little more precision - and knows every word and every pitch. When Joann started singing the wrong words on one of her verses - Marianne let her know about it - and NOT very subtly either! One of the fathers recorded their song - I'll post it when I get a copy! Check back!

After the program, we went to dinner with the Barbers, then planned to head to the airport to pick up Danny and Dalena. Their plane was due to land at 8:30 PM. Ha! We got a call, saying that it had been delayed - at least until 9:45 PM. We decided to drive to Elaine and Russell's to hang out while we waited. We hung out - visited with Elaine, Russell, Micaela and (bonus) Katie and Aaron (and Kadence). We hung out long after they had all gone to bed. Danny finally called at 1:40 AM to say their plane had finally landed! We got home at 3:00 AM!

December 17th - Jack's 66th birthday and Orion Junior High's Concert

Jack woke up this morning another year older. We went shopping in the afternoon, then to Nate and Tyler's choir concert in the evening. Happy Birthday Jack! I love you!

Nathan and Tyler both sing in Orion's choirs. Nate is a 7th grader, so he's in the beginning choir. He told his mom and dad not to tell us about the concert - he didn't want anyone to come. Nathan! Tyler is in the concert choir. They sang a couple of numbers with Weber High's Chamber Quire - then some of their own at the end of the program. Both boys have very nice voices - but are a little lacking in enthusiasm. Hopefully, that will change! I'd love to see them both sing for Scott Wood when they get to Weber High! We took Dad with us to this concert and he very much enjoyed it! No pics! :(

December 15th - Plain City Elementary Choir Program

Amberly sings in the Plain City Choir. She invited us to hear her sing. It was a very nice program! Amberly had a little solo and she did a great job! Amy took some pictures. I hope to get at least one to post!

Music and the Spoken Word & mini-concert

We braved the snow storm and drove to Music and the Spoken Word this morning. We didn't get tickets for the Christmas Concert, but Elaine said she could get us tickets for either Thursday or Sunday morning - so we chose Sunday. We sat two rows behind President Monson and President Uchtdorf and their wives and family members. We loved every minute of the broadcast and the mini-concert, even though we were instructed NOT to applaud or laugh during the broadcast. Keith McCord told us that we could smile, but to do it quietly.

Brian Stokes Mitchell was superb as was Edward Herrmann. We couldn't have been more pleased with the performance! It was magnificent! Although the broadcast was very restrictive, the mini-concert was very informal and relaxed. The performers and the audience had a great time!

After many standing ovations at the end of the concert, President Monson went on stage to present some gifts to the guest artists - and while he was up there, Brother Mitchell presented him (and us) with a wonderful performance of The Impossible Dream.

RECIBID AL REY

I have several students who are LDS. Three of them have been talking about their choir rehearsals for several months. They sang in the Tabernacle last Saturday night (their Friday night performance was canceled because of Elder Wirthlin's funeral). Last night, they sang at the Ogden Tabernacle. Mike and Kathie Linsley (missionaries to a Spanish Branch in Ogden) got us tickets and went with us. What an experience! The program was scheduled to begin at 7 PM and finally started at 7:20, confirming the Linsley's tales of the habitual tardiness of the Latinos. Once the concert began, however, it was well worth the wait!

The Latinos are totally into their music! Many of the numbers were done with guitars, drum, maracas and a small harp. In one number, the director turned around and asked the audience to clap. Everyone joined in, enthusiastically! Later, in the song, some of the people had stopped clapping. The director noticed, turned around and got them going again! One of my favorite parts was Las posadas - it's a little "parade" wherein Joseph and Mary journeyed into Bethlehem (starting at the back of the tabernacle) and made their way to the stage - getting turned away by several "innkeepers" along the way. Young children took those parts, and they had beautiful, clear voices!

A lot of the music was unfamiliar - but very beautiful! We loved hearing the Spanish version of Mary's Lullaby, Still, Still, Still and Oh Come All Ye Faithful. By the time we had heard 3 choruses of that last song, we could sing along during the 4th verse with the rest of the audience. We totally enjoyed the experience!

Ward Christmas Party

I'm hoping someone took pictures at the ward Christmas breakfast! We've done the same thing the past few years. We meet in the chapel for a small pageant, staged by the Primary and narrated by the YM/YW. Every child in Primary has a part, whether Mary, Joseph, shepherds, wisemen or angels. The kids act out the Christmas story while the youth read a dialog and the story from the bible. The costumes are wonderful and the kids really do a great job with the acting, narration and singing. One of the young men - the one who was chosen to read the story from the Book of Luke has the most wonderful voice! He has to be put on earth to be the follow-up for Lloyd Newell when he retires! His name is Mitchell Weaver - so remember I predicted that!

After the Nativity, we had breakfast and then a visit from Santa (aka Jeff Livingston). Jeff borrowed Jack's Santa Suit, hair and beard for the gig. We had the hair and beard "done" at the wig shop - dropped it off, not even asking the cost. SIXTY-FIVE bucks! I think I'll try to do it myself next time around!

When Jeff dropped off the gear after the party, I asked him if he had fun. I thought maybe he'd want Nancy to make him a suit so he could be a regular! Ha! He said, "I hated it! I hate that stuff! Bah! Humbug!" He was serious - but I sure heard a lot of people say that he was one of the best Santas we'd had!

Plaid Tidings

We have season tickets to Rodgers Memorial Theater in Centerville. We had seen Forever Plaid several times already, and with our tight schedule, we actually thought about giving our tickets away - but we didn't. We were so glad! We both loved the show. It was the same premise as the other Plaids, but this one was all about Christmas. The four guys who made up the quartet were so good! Cameron Nichols is/was in Choralaires with Lisa, and we've seen him in a couple of other shows. Great voice! My favorite was Ian Fife - a Kyle Korver look-alike. So cute!

Lomond View's Choir and Orchestra Concert

Last Friday's concert at Lomond View was a two-fer. Baylee played the violin in the orchestra and Haley sang with the choir. Haley had a solo part and did very well. Both girls are so beautiful and talented! I'll post pictures of them when I get them.

Baylee's Reflections Award

Baylee won an award for a water color painting she did for the Reflections Contest. The theme was WOW! Baylee is in 6th grade, so she was competing with junior high and high school students! I'll post a picture of Baylee with her painting when Jeff and Angie send me one. :)

Rocky Mountain's Christmas Choral Concert

Another great concert by Rocky's Choral Department! Lex and London are in the Concert Choir and Alexis is in the Chamber Choir. This was a two-fer! One concert - two grandchildren! I'll see if Shron will send me a picture.

Dean Turns Eight!

Tonight we celebrated Dean's 8th birthday. He got a new set of scriptures and a rip-stick from Mike and Amy, a CTR ring and cash from us and a Nerf gun from Grandma Koford. She'll give him the traditional home-made blanket on his baptism day - January 3, 2009!

Grace's Baptism

Grace was so excited about her baptism for so long - but she was a little nervous. After she was baptized, she kept telling everyone, "I did it! I got baptized!" I'll post a picture of Grace and Jeff when I get one.

Sunday Night

Bo and Grandpa Jack played trains.

One Last Show?

We thought Lisa was through with Choralaires, but she went back two days a week - so...she was in the Christmas show again this year. She sang in a double quartet - I'll Be Home For Christmas. She didn't have much of a voice for the Friday night show, but Saturday was better.

Senior Center Dinner and Show

Dad and Jack and I had a nice dinner at the North View Senior Center before the Sounds of Christmas Time performance. The show was great! All the old folks loved it! So did we! Jack had a meeting right after the performance, but Dad and I headed over to Pleasant View to hear Haley sing at the Creche Display.

Pleasant View Stake Creche Display

This is the 4th year the Pleasant View Stake has hosted a creche display. It was my first time there. I'm going back and taking Dad in his wheelchair! It is amazing! Thousands of nativities from every continent in the world - every country you can imagine - and they are made from every medium imaginable! It's open until December 6th. You really shouldn't miss it!

Watching Haley sing...

Haley loves to sing and she has a beautiful voice! She sang with a group of girls from her ward as part of the entertainment during the creche display. Dad and I got to hear her sing too. When I dropped Dad off at home, I called Byran - there was still time to get in to the Ogden Amphitheater for the 7:30 Sounds of Christmas Time performance! Yippee!

Same show - way better venue!

The girls had pink noses, but they loved performing at the Amphitheater in Christmas Village! What a fun performance!

RS Christmas Dinner

A couple of months ago, I was asked to be chair for the RS Christmas Dinner. I hesitated, but said yes. I went straight to Ann for ideas, since she and her mom have both been RS presidents. She suggested a menu. I pulled together some of the most reliable women in the ward (and some of the best cooks) and we pulled it off. We had close to 70 women there. Weber High's Chamber Quire performed before the meal (they had another engagement afterward). The food held quite well during the performance. Everyone enjoyed it a lot! Thanks, Ann! (pics when I get them)

Grose Family SAT

The SAT got off to a slow start this year, but we ended up with a pretty good crowd. Refer to Julie's blog - thatssogrose - for group pics at the dinner. Here are pictures of those who performed in the talent show. Thanks to Becky for putting this together for Dad this year. He so looks forward to the gathering and the talent show.
Alli sang "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star." Kendrick played a piano solo. Marianne sang her little heart out in a duet with her mom. Jen sang, "Where Are You Christmas." Lex played a John Schmidt number she'd heard on a CD. Jace played the song from his recent recital. Dean played a piano solo. Becky played and sang the number she did as she accompanied her stake president to every one of his Ward Conference speaking engagements. Amberly played a piano solo. Jenna played her recital piece. The Grose Sisters sang a beautiful a Capella number. The Bolos Sisters sang a hymn.
I snapped this shot of Dad enjoying the talent that was performed especially for him!
After the talent performances, Becky got all the Primary-age kids together to sing, "I'm Trying to be Like Jesus."

We are thankful!

On Thanksgiving Day we only had half of our children with us - but still a crowd with 28 people. Dad joined us, along with Russell, Elaine, Micaela and her friend Zach. Everyone stepped up to help and we had a wonderful dinner. I only cooked turkey, gravy and stuffing! Check out the leftover gravy and stuffing in the photo below!
Table one
Table twoMicaela tries the olives on the fingers. Kendrick has a double helping of his mom's layered jello. All the guys were absorbed in the newspaper after dinner. Audrey shows off her little turkey. Check out the left-over stuffing and gravy! Sharon brought crafts for the kids to do after dinner.

Happy Birthday, Amy!

For her 33rd birthday, Amy invited US to dinner! She cooked the yummiest roast beef, carrots and potatoes (from a farmer down the road), corn bread and Mike made her a chocolate birthday cake. Mmmmmm. We all ate way too much!

"Twenty-nine tickets for the matinee, please."

On Saturday, November 22, we took almost all of the grandchildren to see Weber High's fantabulous production of Peter Pan. There was a little brunch before, where the kids pigged out on juice, chocolate milk, cheese cubes, grapes, oranges and Rice Krispie Bars. Joann, Becky, John and Ann joined us. Sharon and Gus saw it the weekend before. [Weber did SEVEN performances of Peter Pan - all sold out!]
Lisa got some shots of the kids before the show began.
More of the kids waiting for Peter Pan to start. The kids were all great! Even the littlest ones were enthralled with the 2 hr. 45 min. show!

Haley's a Great Little Clogger!

What fun! Jack and I picked up Dad for the recital. Our only regret was that there was only ONE clogging number and that was our favorite of the whole recital! Haley is a dang good little clogger!

Jace and Jenna's Piano Recital

Jace did such a great job. He reminded me so much of Bryan as he slid his bottom back and forth across the piano bench to hit all the keys.Jenna's piece was flawless! She's a natural!

Email from Sharon - 2:38 PM...

A little set back in birthday party preparations...I had to take Reagan to have her big toe glued back on. She stubbed it and lopped a big flap open. Sean Carver glued it shut. I told Gus, "They just glued her toe back on." Ha! Now, back to making ice cream.

Email from Sharon - 2:54 PM

...And Kendrick just broke his arm. Gus is on his way to the ER. Aahhh!

Kendrick broke two bones in his lower arm - about 2 inches above the wrist. One bone was totally broken and the other was broken 3/4 of the way through. Gus asked for an Orthopedist in the ER and Dr. Hall was on call. He set the arm while Kendrick was under sedation, wrapped it and put it in a sling and sent him home. He'll get a cast in a week.

NAL - Rocky at Wahlquist

London and her NAL team came to Wahlquist November 7th. Jack, Sharon, Reagan and I all went to watch. Here's a picture of London during her presentation on Hunger in the USA.

Election Day

Jack had a visit from the County Clerk/Auditor.
Jack volunteered to be an election judge this year. He ended up at poll manager at the North Ogden Senior Center. He was over three crews of judges from 3 different precincts, including a member of our ward, two former members of our ward and Kathy's cousin, Sharon Muirbrook. Jack appreciated Lisa's help in setting up the voting machines. He said she was setting them up 3 at a time and everyone was pretty amazed at her expertise! Lisa was hired by the county for the day because of her extensive election experience. She was on hand to help with any problems at the North Ogden City Offices and the Senior Center.

Proud Moment!

Jack administered the Oath of the Eagle.Nate pins the mentor pin on Dad.A side shot of Nathan with Des Ta Te

Jack, Dad and I went to Nate's Eagle Court of Honor Wednesday night. What an impressive ceremony! When we drove up to the church at 7 PM - it was dusk. The street and the sidewalks in front of the church were flag-lined. We slipped in the side door of the RS room just before the meeting began. After they passed out a ton of merit badges and advancements, they started the Eagle Ceremony. They asked for all the Eagle Scouts to come up front and sit in "The Eagles' Nest." They talked about each of the boys and passed out their certificates. Their parents pinned their Eagle pins on them, and then the boys pinned each of their parents. The two Eagles had each chosen someone as a recipiant of a mentor pin. Tanner Carver (the other Eagle) chose his dad. Nate chose Dad - his great-grandpa. Dad was very surprised and choked up when Nate first said his name.

Both sets of parents arranged for a live eagle presentation from the Ogden Nature Center. The bird was magnificent and the guy giving the presentation did an excellent job. The whole thing was very impressive.

We are so proud of Nate and all the work he has put into getting this special recognition. Jack and I have both worked in the scouting program and we know what is required. Congratulations, Nathan! We love you!

Annual Visit to the Pumpkin Patch

About 6 years ago, Jack started taking the grandkids to pick out their own pumpkins. He's taken them to fields in Tremonton, Far West and North Ogden. Last year, we took the kids in two groups because everyone was not available at the same time. This year, all but one of the grandkids was there! (Audrey had gone early to Bear Lake with her other grandparents.) We came back to our place for breakfast in the back yard - sausages, hash-browns, chocolate milk, OJ and Grandpa Jack's pancakes - cooked on the Camp Chef! Yum!

Success at Tuacahn! (Last man standing!)

We almost canceled our trip to St. George when we found out both of the shows we wanted to see were sold out for the last week. We wanted to get away anyhow, so we went on down and put our name on the "wait list." (At 5:30 PM, people can come and sign a wait list. At 7:15 PM, they start calling out names and continue until all the extra seats are sold. Since it was the last weekend, they also set up at least 100 folding chairs and sold those seats for $15 each.)

Thursday night was Les Miserables. We had run into traffic on the way to St. George and didn't even arrive at Tuacahn until 6:30! But Jack put his name on the list anyway. Just after the show began, they finally called his name and his was the last one called! Over 20 people were turned away! There was only ONE folding chair seat left, but since there were two of us, they agreed to find another chair. Wahoo! We sat on a wooden riser, right behind the last row of seats on the east side. We could see and hear everything perfectly! And...sitting on the back row has an advantage! I was second in the door to the ladies' room at intermission! Ahhhh!

Friday night we also got in to see Big River - seats in the center of the back row! Both Les Mis and Big River were amazing productions and the beauty of the venue is magnificent! If you've never been to Tuacahn - put it on your "Bucket List!"

Sister Pennerman

We stopped at the Visitor's Center and visited with Sister Tia Pennerman, a friend we met through the Barbers. Tia went on a river trip with us two summers ago and, since she'll be released from her mission in just 6 weeks, she's planning to come with us in the summer of '09! Tia is from the Bahamas where Phil and Sally Barber served their 2nd mission.

Pecans and Pomegranates

Another thing I wanted to do while we were in St. George was to purchase some pecans and pomegranates. We didn't find any pecans, but we drove over through Santa Clara and found some kids selling locally grown pomegranates from a wagon at the side of the road. I've never tasted fresh pomegranates. I think they're lots better than the ones you buy in stores!

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Who has a better, cuter, cooler dad than us? Nobody! Almost 2/3 of his posterity met him at His Kitchen for dinner October 14th to wish him a happy 86th birthday. He was happy! He also loved the special edition of the family newsletter that Dena put together in his honor. On the way out to His Kitchen, he said to me, "I guess I have a lot of people who love me." You're right about that, Dad! We all love you!

Mmmmmm Sunday General Conference!

 

Lisa started a tradition a while back. On Sunday morning of General Conference,she cooks breakfast! She's made crepes, fruit pizza and now...Belgian Waffles with raspberry/peach syrup and whipped cream. Yum! Thanks, Lis! (Today, her friends, Lisa, Mary and Amber joined us for breakfast and conference.)

An answer to my prayer...

I don't usually post stuff like this, but I thought I would share something that happened to me today. Between conference sessions, I showered and was busy doing things around the house. The TV was on channel 5, and I knew that there was a documentary about the new Panama Temple today, but I didn't know what was on after that. Shortly after it started, I heard a bit of a story that caught my interest and I ended up going into the family room and watching the documentary on the life of President Monson. I learned a lot about the prophet that I had never known before and I gained a greater appreciation for him and closeness to him. About 45 minutes into the presentation, I remembered something I had prayed for a few weeks ago - that I would be able to get to know President Monson better - that I would grow to love him as much as I had loved President Hinckley. I realized then that I was prompted to watch the documentary and that this was a direct answer to my request in prayer.

A special Sunday!

We were lucky enough to be able to go to two Primary Presentations last Sunday. We saw Amberly, Dean and Duncan in the Plain City 2nd Ward. Boy can those kids sing! All three of them had their parts memorized, which I love, because you can actually see their beautiful faces when they speak. We also went to the Huckleberry Ward in Syracuse and saw little Marianne in her first Presentation. She too had her part memorized and she was right on the front row, singing her guts out the whole time. She knew every word to every song.

After Sacrament Meeting, Marianne got a special recognition for memorizing all 13 Articles of Faith. She's been working toward this goal for over six months. For reaching it, Marianne got to cut off her Bishop's tie. It took a few minutes because the scissors were dull and the tie was thick,(Yes, Danny, it was a slow and painful death.) but she got the job done. She and Bishop Watson posed for a photo in the hallway following the little "ceremony."

He lives for football!

This has to be Jack's favorite season of the year! Football season. He loves the game. He loves to watch and he loves to officiate. He's been officiating football for over 43 years but he's not ready to hang it up yet!

Quirks

The Rules:
Link the person who tagged you.
Mention rules on your blog.
Tell about 6 quirks of yours.
Tag 6 fellow bloggers to do the same.
Leave a comment to let them know.

1. I always have to have the toilet paper coming out from UNDER the roll. I have even changed the toilet paper in the bathrooms in other people’s houses!

2. I keep my rolling pin in my underwear drawer. This started when my kids were at home. I have a heavy, marble rolling pin and I think I worried that if I left it in the kitchen – easily accessible – my children would have used it as a weapon against each other. (Yes! My kids used to fight!)

3. I always put “chap stick” on before I go to bed. The only kind I like is Natural Ice (esp.Cherry).

4. I have an aversion to throwing out good food. We eat a lot of leftovers, but I put a lot of food in the fridge and leave it there until it rots - then I toss it.

5. I am a mother hen. I like to have my family around me. My brother Alan told me once that it seemed I wanted to nail one of each of my children’s feet to the state of Utah. With Danny living away from home, I like to hear from him often – otherwise I feel a sense of detachment.

6. I spend WAY too much time putting together a family newsletter each month and it amazes me that some people don’t take time to read it through when it comes out. I am constantly telling my family, “It was in the newsletter!” They said they are going to include that phrase in my epitaph.

I am tagging April, Jill, Shauna, Becky, Netell and Julie.

Sunday Night

When the family came over tonight, Rachel was smiling a lot! Of course, I had to grab the camera! What a little sweetheart!

Mike and Amy's dog Penny made a find tonight. Amy saw her chewing on something and discovered half a decorated cookie from last December's Gingerbread Party! I have no idea where Penny found that!

Going, going gone!

We pulled out all the overgrown bushes in our front yard a couple of weeks ago. We plan to move the roses over to line the driveway and then lay sod in front of the porch. Look way in the background of this picture and you can see our 30-year-old peach tree - on its last leg! 3/4 of the tree had already died. We had hoped to get one more small crop of peaches off it this year, but I don't think that's going to happen now!
Our old peach tree - after the wind of August 31st! Kind of sad looking!

Finally! The kid trip!

The kids have been waiting all summer for this trip! Thirteen of them rafted this year and four of them got to paddle! We ran into Gary and Caroline Lynch. They are a couple from Texas who were rangers assigned to West Table (the put-in). They retired two years ago, but were back on special assignment this year. They asked about our group - "The Mad Hatters," Caroline said, "That's what we called you!" [Come back for some rafting pictures - I have to go begging for those.]

The Junior Mad Hatters - trip one.

Junior Mad Hatters - trip two.

Junior Mad Hatters - trip three.

We ate. Jackson makes himself a sandwich at lunchtime.

We explored. The kids pose in front of a tepee that was used in Dances With Wolves!

We played games. Sharon and Amy stayed back with the kids.
Here they are, playing musical chairs.

A game of Rock, Paper, Scissors

Alexis and Nate try the "Belly Buster."
They try to wrap the ball around the pole.

We played in the secret hideout - under a pine tree in camp.

We giggled.

We roasted marshmallows.

We sang songs around the campfire.

We had a wonderful trip! It is something the kids look forward to every year. They have the chance to get out, have fun, bond with aunts, uncles and cousins and, of course, camp and raft!