Parties and more........

Prepare your self for a long winters nap.....this is a looooooooooong post!!!!!!

Web picture of Earl Holding Lodge

The parties started Dec. 5th at the Earl Holding lodge at Snow Basin. This party was sponsored by the Radiologists for McKay Dee Radiology. I can't begin to tell you how fabulous the surroundings were at the lodge. For a non-skier, I was impressed. The meal was amazing and every one had a great time. Thanks to the Rads....they definitely out did themselves this year.

Next on Dec. 11th I scored tickets to the TAB choir "Ring Christmas Bells" [Thanks Amy]

I took my mother-in-law LouJean and two of her friends, Anita and Connie. It was just a beautiful and warm night. It really got me in the "Spirit of Christmas".

On Dec. 13th it was the "Wilson Family Christmas Party". It was at our Ward building in Eden. Even though it was a lot of work to go up and set up table and chairs and decorate them, Doug noted later that night that it was all worth it as all the little ones were running all over the gym having a blast. That used to happen at our house, but now at the church....we enjoyed it alot more. Here is a picture of the evening. I forgot my camera, but Carly took these pictures...

The next event was the Valley Chordette Concert on December 14th and 15th, of which I am going to do a whole post. Every September on Sunday evening a group of ladies start practicing Christmas songs for our concert in December. This is quite a sacrifice of time. All you have to do to be in the group is have lived in the Valley, or be related to someone who lives in the Valley, or just want to live in the Valley. But here is a sneak peak..........

On Dec. 18th we had our annual Christmas luncheon at work. We scaled down this year, but it still lived up to expectations. The only casualty of the luncheon was that a candle started on fire on the dessert table, set off the fire alarm, and burned holes in my nice table cloth. At least it wasn't a run away chocolate fountain! [a previous year castrophy] We enjoy preparing for these luncheons and everyone seems to appreciate the work that goes into them. The center pieces turned out quite nicely. We used Large Brandy sniffers and trifle bowls and filled them 1/2 full with water. Then we put floating candles and floating poinsettias in the water. Take a peak:

On Dec. 19th we had our annual Christmas party with our Maddox friends and once again, I forgot my camera. It was at the Peterson's [Lynn and Maureen]. The dinner was wonderful with "Seafood cocktail", homemade "Cream of Mushroom" soup, homemade rolls, stuffed chicken breast, veggies, and Linda famous "Bread Pudding" for dessert. A fun time was had by all. Doug and I scored "white elephants". He got a box of "Clementines" and I have totally spaced off what I got. Tired night.........

On the Saturday the 20th of December we had the annual "Ferrin Family Dinner". This is with just my siblings and our spouses. It was fun to eat at my sister Rosalie's house [the house we all grew up in ] in Pleasant view. Rosalie made a wonderful Chili, I brought homemade French Bread, Suzanne brought a yummy relish tray, and for dessert we had the traditional Cherry Pie, Cinnamon rolls, fudge, and puffed rice balls. Here is a picture of the four siblings from left... my brother Ray, my sister Carolyn, me, and my sister Rosalie.

The next party was our own Christmas Eve party. We had chili, french bread, layered jello, Deb from work's hot sausage dip [Doug's favorite] salsa and cream cheese, cookies, rice crispies, and of course puff rice balls. We really missed Mac and Priscila and family, but know they were making new memories that they will have in their hearts forever. But our hearts were a "little bit empty" that night as we missed them terribly. Holly was in charge of the program for the party. She read a story, then the grand kids wrote me a letter. Here is a sample of what they wrote...this one from Mason just about did me in. How tender is that coming from an 11 year old boy.

Then we opened gifts. It was crazy......yes....but there is nothing like family being together.......

Campbell

Carly, Analyn, Farrah and Lindsey

Christian with ring pop blue mouth

Lindsey and Emma and Barbie Princess & Holly, Analyn and Emma reading story

Luke opening Mack and Lightning McQueen

Analyn and Mason

And last but not least, the night after Christmas I had another "Sleep over with the grand girls. Nothing as exciting as the "Princess Sleep over" just movies [Miracle on 34th Street and The Grinch stole Chirstmas] and puzzles, and coloring, and making jewlery, and the next day playing in the snow.

Note in the picture below, there is still room for Lili.....we miss her!!!!

Are YOU asleep now........THE END