2007 Christmas

I'm always a little relieved when Christmas is over because I worry so much about everyone having a good time. I have nightmares about forgetting someone, especially with the Santa gifts. So far it's worked out ok. We had a very nice Christmas. Mostly we are grateful for our family. We especially missed those that are far away. We talked to Scotty and Kris and wished them a Merry Christmas.

In fact January is my favorite month of the whole year. Everything kind of settles down and things get put away. I always go through all the cupboards and drawers and get a bag ready for the DI. It's nice for me to think that everything is neat and tidy.

We hope 2008 will be a wonderful year for our whole family. I'm going to try and savor these last few days of 2007 before it slips away.

NUTCRACKER

This year our annual trip to the Nutcracker was extra special. It was our sweet daughter in-law Michelle's very first time going with us and, her first time ever seeing the Nutcracker. She said she was fullfilling a childhood dream. It was very nice. Some of us ate lunch first at the Olive Garden.

HERE WE ARE GETTING SETTLED INTO OUR SEATS.

Here are Sydney, Bailey and Savannah acting "as usual"
Robyn, Bailey and me standing by the giant nutcracker inside the Capital Theater

All of us waiting in line to use the elevater after the show to go to our cars.... we finally just walked outside and down to the parking garage. Brrrrrrrrr.

We missed Jamie and her girls and Heidi this year. But we think of you everyday and love you all very much. Merry Christmas everyone.

Elder Wirthlin

Jim and I had the opportunity to meet Elder Wirthlin last Thursday. A man in our ward, Les Moore, knows him very well and he invited us to go to his office and meet him. Les has been wanting to give him some of the pens that Jim makes. Jim made him a beautiful set from the Salt Lake Temple trees and a very nice one from the Draper Temple trees. He left some great "before" pictures.Elder Wirthlin was just as you would expect an apostle to be. He was kind and gracious and had a great sense of humor. He made us feel very comfortable. He spoke about the Prophet Joseph Smith and the fact that it is his birthday in December. He said he hopes he gets to meet him someday. I'm pretty sure he will have that opportunity. He mentioned his wife several times. It is obvious how much he misses her. He has several pictures of her in his office.It was fun for me to open the December Ensign and turn to the visiting teaching message and see a quote from Elder Wirthlin. I will be sure to use it when I go out. We were able to get a real nice picture with him. Jim will frame one and hang it in our office. It was a very memorable experience for us. We appreciate Les extending the invitation.