Neal’s 69th birthday

His day began by arranging a golf game with Nelden, Ned, Ron Stanfield.  They golfed at Bonneville on a windy Saturday.  The temperature was in the mid 50’s but Neal said they had a wonderful time.

Neal got home about 5:30 and the all the family arrived at 6:00.  Neal’s choice for dinner was roast beef, potatoes and carrots. 

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After dinner Jeff and Mindy taught Maren the art of defense.  It was very interesting to watch.

Neal’s wish was to play Six-handed Rook. We had just the right amount of people.  Jeff G. stayed home that day because he was sick so it was Neal, me, Lyndsy, James, Maren and Lynda Ann.  The score posted in one of the pictures below is for Tucker’s benefit. He claims I always win. I really don’t always win but this game was an exception and I had boast just a little.  And NO, I didn’t cheat! 

Every left about 11:30.  It was a fun day and Neal said he had the perfect birthday with his favorite dinner, his family all here and finishing off the evening by playing Six-handed Rook.  Happy birthday Neal!

BYU vs. Utah in a family quite divided!

For birthdays this year, I gave Tucker a puzzle of the Utah stadium and Greg a puzzle of the Cougar stadium.  Each send me a picture when the puzzles were put together.  Then came the discussion which was quite lengthy about trading the puzzles or having a contest to see who could put them together the fastest.  I’ve already posted the Utah Stadium, so here is the BYU stadium all put together by the Cutlers.

The Crèche Exhibit

This morning Lynda Ann along with Mallory, Abby, Hayley and Andrew met me and Debby (one of my co-workers) at the mouth of Parley’s.  Debby and I piled into Lynda’s van and we headed up the canyon to Midway to see the Crèche Exhibit.  We stopped on the way in and picked up Lila Mae and then went up to the Homestead where the exhibit was housed this year.  It was fun to walk through the hall and see the hundreds of varieties and arrangements of the nativity.  Some pictures of the event.

I must add a comment here.  The picture above was one that the kids wanted to do and the adults had to be good sports and participate.  From Left to right on the back row we have Lila Mae, Hayley, Abby, Mallory, Debby and me.  Front row is Andrew dressed as a sheep and of course Lynda Ann.  The photographer asked Andrew to pull his mask back and Andrew wanted it down.  We told the photographer that it was fine and just take the picture.  The funny things is that after the picture was taken I said to Andrew, “Silly Andrew, you covered up your face and his reply was, “Gam, I covered my face because a sheep isn’t supposed to have four eyes!”  If we are going to be something, we should be as real as possible.

It was a fun day and I was glad that Annie suggested going.  After the exhibit we stopped by Nita’s house to say “hello” to her but no one was home so I just had to leave a note in the door.  That is the second time I’ve missed her.  On the way home we stopped by the Kholer cheese store and bought some fudge for Neal and then headed home.  Very fun morning. 

Today is my mother’s birthday

I still miss her greatly!

Like thread unwinding from a spool, our lives move on an inch or two each day.  Not always evenly; often snarls of indecision, knots of trouble frustrate and delay.  Though we complain at all the tangles, they are not obstacles but blessings from Him who gave us life, to strengthen our soul and teach us humility.  One day the last inch of thread unwinds, the spool is empty – just as we must go to other worlds, unwinding other spools – perhaps.

We see reflections of ourselves as we look in a mirror hoping that what we see is the person we want to become.  We see reflections in a clear pool as we try to see a caring person who tries to make life more meaningful for others.  We see reflections of our children as we look at their lives and see that they are something of a mirror image of their parents.  We see reflections of ourselves as we look to the Father knowing that we have the potential to become as He is.  We have all been given a wonderful legacy, we need only to “suddenly turn around” and discover it more often.  Discover and realize that our happiness and blessings come from a loving Heavenly Father who waits home for our return.  The gospel of Jesus Christ is our passport – we can’t let it expire!

I love you mother.  Thank you for all you sacrificed for me and for all you did for me. 

Thanksgiving dinner

It was a small group this year.  It was the off year when everyone is at the in-laws.  We had Lynda Ann, Jeff and family and Lyndsy, James and River.  12 people and one table.  Couldn’t believe how easy it was to set things up.  However, cooking a Thanksgiving dinner is always a big deal and always takes lots of pots and pans.  This is my favorite dinner to cook.  I LOVE the left overs from a turkey dinner.  Lynda Ann did her usual creative item for dinner.  This year we got teepee and acorns!  They were not only fun to look at but were delicious!!

The traditional dinner

Maren, Greg and the kids came over about 6:00 and we played some games.  Lynda Ann had to work so her family headed for home about 5:00.  James also had to work and he left about 4:00.  We played Nickels to Nickels with the first group and Mahjong with the second group.  A very fun evening.  And yes, as you can see in the background, we had the boys help Neal put up the tree and Greg changed the screen to glass in the front door.  Having my kids do stuff for us every year makes me feel totally like a senior citizen!!  We totally appreciate their help.  Thanks men!  Lyndsy helped me put some bulbs on the tree which certainly made my job go faster.  Decorating that big tree is a project!  Thanks, Lyndsy.

Thanksgiving Bowling

What a fun tradition this has become.  Not a cheap one for Pa, but certainly a fun one.  We missed our children and grandchildren who live out of state and out of the country.  We also missed Maren, who had worked all night and desperately need some sleep.