A little genealogy

For my posterity who might have a question or two.  My father, Lorin D. Ross, married Juanita Burgner.  She had a baby that they named Juanita (Nita).  Juanita Burgner Ross died right after Nita was born.  My father later married my mother and together they had five children.  Donald, Lila Mae, Alva (Buster), Annette and me.  Nita was raised by my mother until she and Lorin were divorced.  At that time the Ross family insisted that mother send Nita back to Midway to be raised by the Ross’s and the Burgners. Lila thinks Nita must have been about 13 or 14 when she was sent back.  Nita and I share the same birthday.  Nita lives in Boise, Idaho with her oldest daughter, Barbara Kae.  Barbara brings Nita to Midway for the holidays and Swiss Days.  Because we don’t get to see her often, Neal and I drove up to Midway today to visit with her and wish her a Merry Christmas.  Nita is 19 years older than I am.  Lila Mae is 13 years older.  Here are some pictures of the family.

Lila (80), Nita (87) and Jeannine (68)

Barbara (66)(Nita’s oldest daughter, Lila Mae, Jeannine,Nita and Shirlee (61) (Nita’s second daughter).  There is another daughter, Charlene, who is the youngest of the three.

Adult Christmas Dinner

The kids decided that they wanted to have an adult dinner where we could sit around the table, eat and visit without the interruption of little people and the teenagers.  Everyone gathered around 6:30 p.m.  They all brought their own dinner which led to a great variety of choices.  We had everything from Café Rio to Aisian, Gluten free, Chinese and just plain ol tomato soup.  After dinner we played a couple of games and did a lot of visiting and laughing.  Lyndsy and James outlasted everyone by staying until 10:30.  It was a delightful evening and one that I hope will become an annual tradition. 

Neal and I also finally finished our Christmas puzzle.

December–a busy month

No matter how early I get my shopping and sewing done, December seems to find ways to fill in all the gaps of free time.  Between hosting parties at our home, finishing up projects, helping other people finish their projects, carrying on with my Stake Relief Society assignments, giving talks in Sacrament Meetings and Ward Relief Society Christmas parties, it has been a non-stop month.  I don’t think I’ve been home two nights in a row since December hit.  Neal has been busy finishing up the semester at UVU and Univ. of Phoenix, along with fitting in time to carve two eagle scout neckerchief slides and attend his Bishopric meetings.  We have both been on the run.

I was checking out Jamie’s blog at work and noticed that I haven’t posted anything since the first.  Early Sunday morning seems to be the quietest time to get caught up on my blog.  A few more weeks and this 2012 year will come to an end and I will be printing this into a book.  Best not to leave out the last weeks of the year!  I’m slowly making progress on my stitching project.  It should go a lot faster but I just haven’t had the time in the evenings to sew.  However, I’m not making it for anyone, so like many of my projects they will be cleaned and pressed and hung in the back of the closet. 

Lynda Ann has been busy making quilts for her family.  Because of her work schedule and taking on extra shifts she was feeling the pressure.  She called and asked if I would come and help her tie quilts one evening.  I think I even helped her tie one for her dad and Gloria!  At times the noise level was interesting and surrounded us.  We had Abby practicing her saxophone and at the same time Hayley was practicing her recorder.  Makes for interesting sounds.  Annie snapped a picture of me holding the huge roll of batting as we unrolled it, measured it and cut it. I’m kneeling on the floor, obviously, and Annie is taking the picture from under the quilt.

Neal’s finished neckerchief carvings.  A rattle snake and a piece sign.  He calls the boys to ask them about their interests so that he can carve something for them that has some meaning.

Time is going by quickly.  I need to get ready for my Sunday meetings.  Neal is speaking in his sacrament meeting this morning so I will attend there and then run to other meetings.  Yet another incredibly packed Sunday.  Isn’t there some saying that goes “Sunday a day of rest.”?!  Not so in my little world. 

My best friend turns 70! Oh my gosh!

I’m trying to think myself at 70.  It really isn’t that far off but I kind of like hanging out in the 60’s.  Sixty doesn’t sound nearly as old as seventy!  But, I know it is just around the corner.  Judy told Ron that he was not to have a party so he went ahead and planned a family one anyway.  He invited us because he said we were part of the family.  We were excited to be a part of the celebration.   Happy Birthday, Judy!

The picture below is of Judy’s son J.D. cooking Mexican dinner.  It was delicious.  The food Neal is holding is steak with cactus.  I chose not to eat cactus.

The picture above is Neal and I, Ron and Judy and Tibby and Howard.  The picture below is Judy while we sang happy birthday to her.

Ron and Judy – cute couple and wonderful friends!!

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.