Dorothy

January 13, 2012
Dear Family,
We’re enjoying our mild winter in that we haven’t had to worry much about snowy, slick roads and blinding snowstorms. We’ll never get used to freezing temperatures though; however I’m glad to live in a region that goes through the four seasons every year.

It was nice to have Thanksgiving at our home and have Mom enjoy it with us. It seems like most of the time in the past we spent Thanksgiving Day at Mom’s or Alan’s brother’s home in Centerville because they had a bigger place to seat everyone. Our kitchen hasn’t grown any larger and probably won’t any time soon, and even though we had to squeeze a little, it was very nice to have our family here for that day.

When Jason started his new job in South Jordan the beginning of December, he spent the weeknights at our house and went back to Hyde Park on the weekends for two and a half weeks.
It was nice for us to visit with him on those few nights he came home early enough to visit. But for him and Becky, things suddenly became extra busy all through December as they packed and prepared to move, got ready for Christmas, and waited out the time for the children to finish school until just before Christmas. Then Jason rented a truck and moved his family and most of their stuff on the 23rd. As soon as they sell their home they’ll buy a new house somewhere in Salt Lake Valley and move out of her parent’s home. So if any of you know of someone looking for a great place to buy and live in Cache Valley, have them contact Jason. Now with our grandchildren living closer, we get to see them more often. Another bonus is that I get to be Katherine’s piano teacher. It will be fun to teach my granddaughter who is so excited to learn.

Ariane successfully finished her first college semester at UVU. We’re proud of both her and Penny for earning such good grades. Penny is now working on her last semester at UVU.

When Kevin left the MTC, his first mission area assignment was Mesa…. he’s still there (6 ½ months), but has had two different companions. He expects to be transferred to a new area next week at transfer time.

Marcus was transferred to Eastbourne the beginning of June (over 7 months) and has also had two different companions. He also expected he’d be transferred to a new area the same week transfer week as Kevin, but he got a little bit of a surprise. Both he and his companion were transferred out of the area 1 ½ weeks early. They were given about a day’s notice. Marcus has told me in the past about how his mission president seems to like to take the missionaries by surprise and shake things up now and again. Marcus is now serving in St. Austell, the far west side of England, several hours away from where he was. We’re proud of our good missionary sons and how their testimonies have grown, their desire to faithfully serve the Lord, and their hard work in spite of the frustrations that are naturally a part of being a missionary.

Christmas time was wonderful. It was great to have a house full of “children” again for a week or so. I really liked having the Christmas Eve party at Mom’s house in the middle of the day. Being home early that evening was a bonus. Too bad it doesn’t work that way every year. And what a fun party with so many! It was great to see all those who came to this “mini-reunion.”

It was fun to read the predictions of those that contributed to this list. I hope we’re all successful in following through with our New Year’s resolutions and may your “predictions” come true.

Love, Dorothy