November found me on the road again...off to the warmer climes of Arizona. As usual, it was family time...and what could be better? We were able to play a little tennis in between rain storms and I was able to help Rob's family as they cleaned the branch on the Reservation prior to Sunday Services (this was their last hurrah as they have completed their 3 year assignment and will soon be back in a regular ward; they loved being able to help the members at the Branch) We found time to visit the beautiful Gilbert Temple.
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| Truman, Hewitt, Me, Burke, Liv, Rob, Tamsen and Tosh cleaning the Branch |
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| Me, Rob and Tamsen |
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| A selfie in front of Gilbert Temple |
The week of Thanksgiving, I was mostly with the Brewer Family. We were able to see Hewitt Peterson receive his Eagle Scout Award. Inasmuch as the Church is no longer involved with the scouting program, he was the last in a long line of Eagle Scouts (his Grandpa Pete would have been so proud). Thanksgiving Day was spent with the extended Brewer Family.There was a Turkey Bowl (I opted out of that one and made rolls instead), and a big dinner (around 60 in attendance). Later in the week, we enjoyed dinner at the Organ Stop Pizza with the Larsens (Alisa, Brett, Sofi, Josef and Lukas had come down to join the Arizona crew for a Thanksgiving vacation) and the Petersons.
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Two Eagles (Burke and Hewitt) and a fledgling (Tosh)
Burke conducted the Eagle Court ad Tosh helped with the flag
ceremony |
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| Burke, Rob, Hewitt and Tamsen pinning on the honors |
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Me with Larsens (Sofi missed the photo op) and Peterson
at Organ Stop Pizza |
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| Alisa chillin' with Miles (he's in heaven) and me at Sue and Duerk''s |
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| Kiefer, August, Julie, Me, Colten and Ivy at end of trip |
Soon after this, I returned home to Provo just in time for the annual tennis Christmas party. (I arrived home at 3 p.m. and the party was at six) I've really enjoyed playing with these lovely ladies.
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| The tennis ladies, Christmas 2019 |
It was the week for parties. Our Oregon Soiree group also had a lunch and gift exchange. Our numbers are diminishing as age is creeping up, but we still enjoy getting together.
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| Me, Hope Hyde, Janet Pollei, Carole Ferguson, Mary Gail Plothow |
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| Hope and Mary Gail along with Os Hyde and Roger Plothow |
I stopped by to see old friends after my Oregon party in American Fork.
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| Joanne and Carl Byers in front of their tree at their home |
While I was in Arizona, Tamsen helped me with getting my Christmas Cards. It's such a process and I appreciate her computer skills in getting it done.
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Families of Rob, Alisa, JaneAnne, John, Jana and Sue, left to right
with me in the middle between Anna and Emily (John's girls) |
A wonderful friend of mine (Maxine Denning) with whom I walk every day, had taken the time to make a Christmas arrangement to take to the cemetery for our husbands.
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| Me at the Cemetery |
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| Christmas decoration lovingly made by friend Maxine |
I was saddened to learn that my dear friend and mentor to so many, including me, Martha Facer Proctor Flandro, passed away December 7th. She was such a great example and I always referred to her as the Energizer Bunny. She was 100-1/2 years young. I will miss her!
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| Martha with Maxine and Me |
Next on my docket was a trip to Washington, D.C. My granddaughter, Kate Maughan, was graduating from American University and she wanted us to see where she had spent the last 3-1/2 years. We wandered around Georgetown, visited the Phillips Museum, the US Botanic Gardens, a funky used book store, and ate lots of ethnic foods. We stayed with my son-in-law's mother and rode the metro and other public transportation. In spite of the rain and cold, it was a fun visit.
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| I wonder if this once was a flour mill? |
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| Suspended art work, part of night light show |
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| Up close |
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| Me and Kate admiring the music room of the museum |
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| The Phillips Museum |
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| Mike, me and Jana contemplating the art |
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| Beautiful stained glass |
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| Me with Kate, who graduated with honors |
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| Beauty in the US Botanic Gardens |
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| Miniature Smithsonian Castle |
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| Me, Jana, Kate and Mike with miniature Capitol |
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| Hundreds of Poinsettia's decorating the gardens |
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| One of the displays |
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| Just a little silliness by Mike, me and Kate |
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| Learning about the cacao tree |
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| View of the Capitol while walking to bus |
On to the bookstore:
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| One of the funny signs at the bookstore |
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| It was interesting, order wasn't obvious but ? |
Back from D.C. to more normal routines. A friend of mine from Salem, Sue Wynn, was in Provo to help her mother and came for a walk one morning. She invited me to go to the Salt Lake Temple that same day. The temple is closing for 4 years for renovation and it had been on my bucket list to go, so away we went. We even managed to see some of the lights!
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| Me with Sue Wynn outside of Salt Lake Temple |
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| Conference Center lights, not as brilliant as Temple Square |
During the time I was in Washington, DC., a member of our Oregon Soiree group, Dave Nelson, passed away. I was able to be back in time for the funeral. Dave was a wonderful person and will be missed.
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| Janet, me, Grant Rees, Hope, Os, Carol, friends for over 50 years |
Another thing on my bucket list this Christmas had been to go to the Giving Machine and just before Christmas, my friend Shirley and I made the trip to the Mall. I was able to buy a sheep. Pretty exciting!
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| Figuring out the machine to donate |
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Dollars contributed thus far throughout the world-
I think by end of 2019, there was over 6 million donated, impressive! |
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| "Light the World", what a wonderful program and way to give this season! |
Monday night for Family Night, I celebrated with Brett and Alisa and their two boys, Josef and Lukas. We enjoyed some singing and acting out the Nativity. Christmas Eve at the Maughan home, I was able to enjoy a lovely dinner put together by Jana (I added some cranberries and pumpkin pie). and then we were "beautified" with face masks and manicures...all ready for Christmas! Christmas morning, I enjoyed a wonderful breakfast; then gifts were exchanged and gratitude expressed. For lunch, I went with the Larsens to Salem (not Oregon, however). It was nice to meet Brett's family and get to know them better.
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| Peeling off face mask...not sure I look any younger |
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| The family gathered, Delaney, me, Kate, Merit, Stuart, Davis and Mike |
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| Sofi w Ponyo , Brett Me, Alisa, Josef and Lukas |
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Some of the Larsen Family, Brett's two sisters, one brother, his parents, and a
bunch of children |
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| Lukas elf fattening himself up with Ponyo |
The Brewer family (Sue and Duerk and eight children) arrived on December 28th. The Arizonians wanted to experience the snow (can you imagine that?). The children couldn't wait to get out to build snowmen, igloos and throw some snowballs. More on that next year!
It's always interesting to try new things, and sometimes, they are a bit unusual. Being with the crowd, in this instance a few daughters, was enough of a draw to convince me to try the Fish Kiss. Nothing like sticking your feet into a tank of water and letting the fish nibble away. It was great way to end 2019.
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| Is there some uncertainty in my look? |
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| Jana, me, Sue and Alisa all sporting smoother feet |
2019 has been a great year and I'm looking forward to what 2020 will bring. It's another decade and has great promise!I'm hoping all my friends and family will have an enjoyable year and keep in touch. Life is great and it's because of all of you! Thank you!
