Lindgren Family Christmas "Eve" Party

John, taking pictures

Jennifer with Emily and John in their kitchen

Martha, Wendy, Jennifer, Dorothy

"butting in"

Hill Family talent

not too sure about this  "white elephant"

Marty, Jennifer, John

siblings

Rick, Emily, John, Dorothy, Jennifer, Marty

a total of 58 members of the Lindgren family at the Anderson's new home

Priscilla

I’m sitting here listening to wonderful Christmas music and feeling gratitude.

Just after writing the last lingo Desree came and picked up Riley.  So he is living with his family in JBER, Alaska now.  We sure miss him.

Isaiah and I were really lucky to go up to Salt Lake for Fall Break, short as it was, and have dinner with some of you and help Emily and family celebrate their new move.

On our way back, we drove through Window Rock and toured the school and area where Jim works.  His classroom has a Smartboard with remotes for each student.

I enjoyed two months of soccer with Hyrum and Bryan.  Hyrum went to state play-offs with varsity team

We had mild autumn weather right in to December.  Jim was able to get us some wood for our wood stove that I so appreciate now.

With Hyrum and Bryan busy, it was Jim, Isaiah and me that enjoyed our annual jaunt into the woods to get a Christmas tree this year.  We went a little farther than we usually do, closer to the rim, so we could get a fir instead of our usual pinyon.   We found an area where the little trees were thick.  No snow on the ground this year.  We finally picked one and Isaiah was given the opportunity to start sawing when the most unusual thing happened.  The tree had already been cut!  We just figure it was someone’s recent reject, but we liked it just fine. They set it up like it belonged right where they put it.  It was easy, just picked it up and put it in the bed of the pick-up.  Good thing Jim was looking though when we pulled out on to the hwy 260 because the tree caught the wind and landed in the middle of the road.  So we went back, picked it up, tied it down this time, and enjoyed the rest of the day.

Bryan was busy that day at auditions for the high school musical, “Hello, Dolly!” being presented the first week in March.  He landed the part of Barnaby and is very excited about it.  The week before, he got together with some friends to see the video with Barbara Streisand.  He had never seen this one before.  Hyrum almost was going to try out with friends, sort of a senior year thing, but decided not to.

I went to the Arizona State Capitol for the first time, first Saturday in November.  It was Hyrum’s nomination interview with Senator Kyl.  I enjoyed walking the grounds and watching handsome young men walk (or run trying to be exactly on time) in to the building every five minutes.  There must have been a hundred of them.  Shortly after that, Hyrum got a letter that said he was not nominated.  He also got notice from ASU that he has a scholarship (enough to cover tuition and renewable yearly) starting fall 2013.  Not having even gotten an appointment with Senator McCain, he was happy to have this back up plan of ASU and is interested in talking to the ROTC program there.   Two weeks later he had an appointment for an interview with the nominating committee from Congressman Gosar’s office in Prescott, AZ.  He took advantage of this as I let him take the car and some of his friends overnight.  They stayed with a friend, Ryan McGee that had moved there from here.  Finally this week he received a call from Congressman Paul Gosar’s office saying the letter was in the mail with a nomination for the Naval Academy!  That doesn’t mean he has been selected by the Academy, but he does now have all the requirements in and will wait to hear.  He had kind of put getting accepted into the Naval Academy out of his mind as the acceptance rate is so low at 6%.  So his future is going to be interesting.   In the meantime he is running out of money and may be headed back to McDonald’s.  I can’t believe he’ll be 18 next month.  He has become very pleasant at home.  Just the other day he asked if I had any work he could do, preferably outside.  I said, “Sure, chop wood and turn the garden.”  He did exactly that in a short time.  He also gives me hugs when he gets home at night.  I love it!

Bryan and Isaiah had their first piano recital since living in Snowflake.  Isaiah did well with his short memorized piece.  Bryan was the last to play as he was most advanced and finished with a duet with the teacher.  I was proud.  Then we headed over late to the ward Christmas party and got a little bit to eat.  Bishop came over and asked Bryan to play a little dinner music.  He sat down and played “Carol of the Bells” from memory.  I didn’t even know he could.  While he was playing Sister Rosenberg came up and asked him to provide the music for their empty nesters Family Home Evening Meeting.  That was quite an honor and enjoyable evening for both of us.  He picked Chinese food and they fed him well.

I’ve enjoyed the school music concerts earlier this month with Isaiah trying out the violin, Bryan on keyboard in jazz band and singing in honor choir.

The boys enjoyed the annual town lighting December 1st and then on the 3rd they lit up Frontier Parkway that leads up to the temple.  Bryan helped light the luminaries with the young men in our ward.  It was a nice enough night I walked up there and back and enjoyed a beautiful starry evening and at one point had the whole madrigal choir singing to myself in front of the life-size nativity in front of Brimhalls’ mansion.  The next day I felt it in my shins though.

We enjoyed having Krista stay with us from mid-October to mid-November.  She fed us well and was nice to have around daily.  Then she moved into Ryan Slone’s house with him.  We enjoyed Thanksgiving Day over there with them and met Ryan’s family as well.  I had actually met his father, Richard Slone, previously at a soccer game in which Bryan (#17) was playing next to the Show Low team (#17) who was Ryan’s cousin.   Krista just had her third miscarriage.  She is understandably pretty discouraged about it.

Looking forward to the next two weeks with Jim home and having James here for a few days.  Merry Christmas everyone!

Love, Priscilla

p.s. I hope you all have a great time at the family Christmas Party tomorrow.  I have great memories of the Doelling Christmas parties.

Heather

Hello, Lindgrens!
I was planning to send Christmas letters/cards this year.  But I didn't quite get that far, yet.  However - this year, I actually started composing a letter.  That's farther than I've gotten before, so I'm actually doing pretty well!
Here is the 'rough draft' of the Christmas Letter I hoped to finish and send this year...

Heather's recent life, by the numbers:
1: *house
    * gardening attempt
2: *years serving with the Young Women in my new ward
    * piano students (Mitchell and Alyssa Anderson)
    * birthdays celebrated while living in Pleasant Grove
3: * community theater productions since moving to Utah County (all in 2012!)

    * Christmases in my house

    * church callings since moving to Pleasant Grove (Sunday School teacher, counselor in Young Women Presidency, Relief Society instructor)

4: * years singing with the Sterling Singers choir

    * nieces and nephews

    * trips with Grandma, Uncle Rick, and Aunt Reba since 2008 (Nauvoo, Caribbean Cruise, Hawaii, Europe)
5: *concerts performed with Sterling Singers (4 Christmas, 1 Spring)
6: * roommates (Daniel, Penny, Mike Lindgren, his 3 girls - part-time...)
7: *th year as librarian at Mountainville Academy
    *community theater productions since moving from Logan (3 in Utah County, 4 while living in Salt Lake County)
8: *years (or more) since I sent a Christmas card/letter
 
I haven't thought of anything for 9 or 10 yet.  So- there's my update for the last few years...
Merry Christmas to all of you!  I hope you feel the comfort, peace, and joy that can come through our Savior and His Gospel.

Love, Heather

Jennifer

Dear Family,

Disney World in October was really fun! We went together with Ammon, Angela, Finn, Harper, and 6 week old Miles. Seeing Disney through the eyes of kids brought back many memories and just made me smile and feel like a kid all over again. We loved the new section of Fantasyland where Beauty and the Beast and Little Mermaid shine. The only downside was the hot humid weather, oh yeah, and the roller coaster ride in Animal Kingdom – wow! I mean, I’m sure people love it, but us, not so much.

It was fun (and lots of work) helping Emily move. We’re very happy for them and that they’re finally in their new home!

Our first Thanksgiving in our new home was great. Ammon and family came, as well as Lucy and family. Lots of good food, and fun appetizers, etc., and like Angela said, “Thanksgiving brought to you by Pinterest.” Harper entertained us dressing up in princess costumes from Emily. Emily and family joined us the day after Thanksgiving. We got into the Christmas spirit quickly as we drove through some neighborhoods with Christmas lights dancing to music.

I had a lot of fun decorating this new house – and our tree rotates!

Last week I went to Seattle and decorated a gingerbread house with Finn and Harper and their pre-school friends, and we decorated Christmas cookies and went to Harper’s pre-school Christmas party. We visited Santa, and watched Elf on A Shelf, the movie. Now I’m all up to date on the elf – he sure moves around a lot and the kids love him! It’s probably the most exciting thing next to Christmas Day itself. Miles has such a precious smile! He looks so much like Ammon did at that age.

This week we had our first piano recital with my two students (sisters). Their parents came and we had a fun evening. It really has been fun teaching these girls because they love it so much. I just added one more student – another neighbor girl. I wasn’t really planning on teaching after I retired; it just fell into place. I’m sure one day they will play better than me and that would be awesome!

Hope everyone is doing well and enjoying the holiday season.

Joy, Peace and Love,

Jennifer & Steve

Dorothy

Merry Christmas! Dear Family,
Much of what I have to say I wrote in my annual Christmas letter, but since I have been writing to the blog each time, I won't copy the whole letter, just parts of it to get you up to date with Alan and I.

David's birthday

Lynnette's birthday

In January we began a great tradition that we hope to continue for as along as possible- Family Home Evening once a month with ALL of our children and grandchildren.  This has been a highlight of the month for all of us. It often includes celebrating someone’s birthday, which becomes our “activity” after the lesson and cake for refreshments. Since the last time I wrote in September, we have celebrated a birthday in October (David's) and one so far in December (Lynnette's). 

Working at the temple Saturday mornings has continued to be a great joy for Alan and me.  He has been the Saturday morning baptistery coordinator for the past 18 months.  While he assists the youth and other patrons there, I have directed guests in the marriage waiting room, or assisted patrons in a number of other ways.  It has been especially gratifying when I can be an attendant for those coming to the temple for the first time.

I’ve been Stake Historian for about 3 years, but should be released from that calling soon because in October, I was called as our ward’s Relief Society President.  Up to that point my ward callings were Ward Choir Director and Ward Organist.  Even though this calling is very time consuming, the Lord has compensated me already with numerous blessings!

a few of the angels

Heather's most recent musical that she is in will end Saturday night.  She sings as an Angel and is amongst the town's people in "Liken's The First Christmas" at the Scera Center Theater in Orem.  We just saw it last week and loved it!  They do a very professional job.  It was a great addition to our month of Christmas activities.

Daniel works part time at Thanksgiving Point and recently started working full time for TelePerformance as tech support.  It's time to pay the bills and having this second job is helping.  So, no time for theater for Daniel for a while.

Dorothy and her piano students at November's piano recital

At the piano recital I held for my students in November, both Katherine and David performed.  I was very proud of them.  This time was especially fun because I played a duet with each of them.  Earlier in December I got to see Katherine's 3rd grade "wax museum" of famous people.  She portrayed Sally Ride, first woman in space.  It was fun to find out that Jason helped create her costume with duct tape! The following week Alan and I got to see both Katherine and David sing at their choir's Christmas concert.  It has really been nice to have Jason and Becky living so close to us and to be more involved with their family this past year.

Katherine as "Sally Ride"

Even though Kevin has moved a few times during the year, he has stayed in the city of Mesa during his mission.  His mission there has been filled with lots of teaching and serving.  He had some baptisms and has been a wonderful positive influence in the lives of members and non-members alike.  We have been rewarded with e-mails, phone calls, and letters from several people whose lives he has touched. He has been serving as district leader since October and jokes that he is a Relief Society President just like me because the missionaries in his district are sisters.

Elder Kinghorn and Elder Kevin Tomlinson

Casey and Marcus just finished up a semester at Salt Lake Community College.  In August we invited   Casey to stay with us so he and Marcus could be roommates while attending the same school. Last week Marcus was invited to go with the Anderson's on their Disneyland Vacation.  Lucky Marcus!  I hoped he enjoyed it in behalf of all of us.  And thank you John and Emily for taking him.

Penny and Ariane have both been attending Utah Valley University in Orem.  Penny works at a care center in Orem and is working on getting internship hours so she can graduate.  She’s living with fun roommates at “Crestwood Apartments” in Provo.  Ariane has had a fun college experience living at “Village On the Parkway” because of her great roommates.  Currently Ariane has a seasonal job at a kiosk at the University Mall in Provo.  

We took advantage of “fall break” in October when our college kids were out of school and spent the two days together, kind of like a mini vacation.  We attended the Brigham City Temple, then went to SLC and  toured the Conference Center, the Church History Library, and the new City Creek shopping area.  The next day we went to the Living Planet Aquarium in Sandy, and then the Dinosaur Museum at Thanksgiving Point.

We love doing things together, but more importantly just being together as a family.  We count our blessings for the Lord’s plan of happiness for His children, and give praise to Him as we celebrate His birth during this wonderful time of year.

A Christmas piano "triplet"

May your Christmas and the coming year of 2013 be filled with blessings!

October 19th, "Sister's Work-end" after a day helping Emily move

Love, Alan and Dorothy and family

Lindgren family "Christmas Eve" party

For:  All descendants of Ross and Martha Lindgren
When: Saturday, December 22, 2013
         Beginning at 1 PM
Where: John and Emily's new home
            4166 W. Chestnut View Dr.
            South Jordan, Utah
If you come, please bring:
1). something yummy to eat for our potluck meal
2). a wrapped, "white elephant" gift
3). a "talent" from you or your family for the program

Emily

John and Emily's new home in South Jordan, Utah

Cheyney

Hey Ya'll,

This is Cheyney (Ryan's wife).  I just wanted to send some pictures of our most recent trip to Utah. 

Ryan and I were able to go on a cruise without kids thanks to Marty, Janet, Wendy and family.  They were so gracious to  watch our kiddos, Sam and Luke, while we were relaxing, swimming with stingrays, and hiking waterfalls. 

When we returned, we got a wonderful visit with Grandma Martha.  It is always so nice to see her.   Her optimism and energy is contagious.  I hope someday she will teach me to clog. 

I feel so lucky to be a part of this family. 

much love, 

Cheyney

Jennifer

Dear Family,

Our third grandchild, Miles Clark Gilbert, was born on August 28. He is just as adorable as his siblings. We visited in Seattle this past week. Harper just started preschool twice a week, and Finn goes four times a week for a half day. Kids are sure smart these days. Finn also started soccer. And at his first practice during his water break, he came over to me and said, “I’m having the best time!”

Finn is into the Titanic right now – in fact, he wants to be the Titanic for Halloween! He loves getting books from the library all about the Titanic and has learned many facts about the ship and the tragedy. He draws the ship every chance he gets, has built one out of Legos, and is working on a model of it with Ammon.

Harper loves anything purple and/or pink. She has so much energy she makes me exhausted. She’s always doing something – finger painting, play dough, coloring, wrestling with Finn, jumping off of tables, etc. I’m happy she has a great mom that has the energy to keep her entertained all day.

I loved holding Miles and just staring at him. He is such an angel.

Our newest grandson, Miles Clark Gilbert

It has been a smoky and hot summer. So many fires here in Idaho.

We picked grapes with Lucy & Dave, about an hour north in Payette. We’ll be juicing grapes all weekend – it’ll be my first time. Also got some fresh peaches and apples. I love this fall season.

Love,

Jennifer & Steve

Dorothy

September 22, 2012
Dear Family,
    Wish me luck as the new editor of the Lingo… thanks Jennifer for being my tutor and for doing it all these years… and Wendy before that.  I feel honored to take the reins to keep this going.  Just like Jennifer has written on the blog’s sidebar, “without you we have no lingo.”  So please continue writing.  Hopefully sending in an entry just four times a year instead of six will be a little easier on you and will give you more to write about.
    Since I wrote in July, the following are some of the happenings that have occurred in our family: 
    In mid-July, James and Lynnette moved to an apartment near Fort Union in a very nice apartment complex.  It is conveniently located just off the I-215 freeway on my way to Mom’s.  In August we celebrated James’ birthday at the social center there with Lynnette’s family, and ours.  It was also a good place to have our car breakdown (last weekend) since I guess it was going to breakdown anyway unbeknownst to us at the time.  We were able to visit at their apartment until we got a ride home.
    Jason and his family, Heather, Penny, Marcus, Ariane, Alan, and I attended this years Tomlinson family reunion the end of July.  It was held at a group campsite in Wyoming near the Idaho/Wyoming border just east of Driggs and west of the Tetons.  We always look forward to being with Alan’s family in an outdoor setting for a few days every year.

on a hike

Marcus, Katherine, Penny, and Benjamin at the campsite

Alan and his siblings sing at the reunion

    A week after the reunion, six of us- James, Penny, Marcus, Ariane, Alan, and I -went on a vacation to Montana.  We saw the Lewis and Clark Caves, a ghost town, and spent three days in the beautiful Glacier National Park.

Lewis and Clark Cave

the first digit is 6 --- 6,646 ft.  -Glacier

the dial points to each mountain and it's name - Glacier

Trail of the Cedars -Glacier

Reminds me of Calvaras...remember? -Glacier

Garnet Ghost Town, Montana

    We are so proud of the great acting job Daniel did for his character as Motel the Tailor in “Fiddler on the Roof” at the Scera Shell in Orem two weeks in August.  He didn’t have to wear a fake mustache and beard to look like the character because he grew his own. Adding the fake glasses and a tailor’s apron he had the perfect Motel the Tailor look.

    August was back-to-school time.  Along with the other teachers, Heather began early in August before the students started a week or so later.  Marcus’s first day at Salt Lake Community College was August 22, the same day Ariane moved to her apartment in Orem.  Penny had moved to a different apartment in Provo just a few days before.  Both Penny and Ariane started their classes at Utah Valley University August 27.  Since Casey planned on attending SLCC and Ariane was leaving, we invited Casey to come live with us and be roommates with Marcus.  That worked great for the first week until Casey wrecked his truck.  As soon as he gets transportation again we hope to see him more.

new haircut for school

    It was really nice to see and visit with our cousin, Scott Lindgren and his wife Leslie while they were in Utah on vacation in August.  I think that the last time I remember seeing him was when I was 5 years old.  He fits the Lindgren look perfectly.  No mistake he’s a cousin.

cousins

remember the tree?

seedlings from that huge spruce tree

    Alan and I continue to absolutely love our service at the Oquirrh Mountain Temple every Saturday morning. We also love having a monthly Family Home Evening with all of our children. We like that they all come to our home or to one of theirs just to enjoy an evening together.
    Kevin continues to do well in his missionary service in Mesa.  During the past several months we have received spontaneous phone calls and e-mails from members in that area who have worked with Kevin or have had him and his companion in their home.  The general feeling and message every time is that he is a fantastic missionary, doing a great job, and is well liked. 
    We hope you are enjoying this beautiful time of year as much as we are!
Love, Dorothy and family