Christmas 2013

 We have had a wonderful Christmas season.  We have missed our extended family but are grateful that we have been able to visit with them.  Isn't modern technology wonderful. 

On December 15, Keith and Kim had the Eliasons and we grandparents there for dinner with time to play.

 We enjoyed Kira's dance program. 

Kira was delightful in her pre-school program. 

Christmas Eve we had the Riverton Rogers and the Eliasons to our home for Family Home Evening.  Talisa and Kira played pieces on the piano and James and Grant shared things that they had written for school. 

Grandpa read the Christmas story from the Bible.  Kristen-shepherd, Grant-wise man, Kira - angle, Keith-donkey; Talisa-Mary, Baby John-Christ Child, James-Joseph and Kristilyn. 

We did it twice so people could take different parts.  This time Kristilyn was a shepherd, Talisa was the donkey, Kira was Mary, Keith was the angel, and Grant was Joseph. 

 We shared Christmas morning with Eliasons.  Lillian and Amelia were enchanted with the Nano-bugs. 

Lillian

 Mark's sister Kristen is visiting for a week.  She creates their family photo book each year and is a blessing to all who know her. 

 Visiting after dinner on Christmas Day. 

 Baby John is starting to stand.  He looks so cute with his new clothes and new shoes. 

 The cousins love to play together.  Talisa-Grant-James-Kira-and Amelia. 

Grandpa with generous and thoughtful gifts from our family. 

Tia Rogers and Chad Anderson's Wedding

 Tia Rogers and Chad Anderson were married in the Oquirrh Mountain Temple.  The temple and ceremony were beautiful.  It was a very cold, snowy  day.  Tonya made the warm black jacket yesterday. 

 

 Chad and Tia outside the temple. 

 Tia and Chad at Magnolia Grove. 

 Cutting the cake

 

Full length view of Tia's wedding dress.  The hand sewn quilt and Raggety Ann and Andy dolls were made by Chad's grandmother.  She has made quilts and matching dolls for all 38 of her grandchildren.  

 John, Tam, Amy, and Dave at the temple. 

Tonya and Dan--parents of the bride. 

We had freezing rain followed by several inches on snow on top of it on Thursday.  Today (Saturday) there was additional snow.  This broke the 10 days of single-digit over night temperatures and daytime temperatures that never got above freezing.  These are some pictures of our home.

Lighting the way home 

Lights on Temple Square

Temple Square is beautiful with millions of lights.  We are very grateful for the privilege of serving on our mission here in the Church and Family History Headquarters Mission. 

 

  

 

 

Rasband Family Party and DuPaix Homecoming

Today was the 100th birthday of my mother  Mildred Whitlock Rasband and it has been a very special weekend to be together with my siblings, their families, other other extended family members.                                              

 Friday night we enjoyed a Rasband family party.  Part of the family went on a Polar Express train ride then every one met at Joe and Monica's home for dinner and white elephant exchange gifts. 

 The children had the first round then the adults had their turns.  There were over 40 people there. 

 Sunday was Edie and Roger DuPaix's report of their mission to the Philippines as Public Affairs missionaries.  They told about their activities including the recent super typhoon which caused so much damage.  They told of their love for the people because of their cheerful acceptance of calamities and their incredible work ethic.  The Philippines is the world's calamity capital because of the many earthquakes, typhoons, floods, etc.

 Edie and Roger had a lovely open house at their home after the meeting. 

 Edie snuggles her newest grandchild, Deja Renee Southwick.  Deja's daddy  keeps a careful eye on his first born.  Deja was blessed in Sacrament Meeting before Roger and Edie spoke. 

Sisters together again--Karen, Edie holding Deja, and Kathryn Ann

Thanksgiving 2013

We had a delightful Thanksgiving weekend.  Carters came down from Idaho on Wednesday and stayed until Saturday afternoon.  We had dinner with Eliasons and Carters here on Thursday then went to Brigham City on Friday for dinner with the Byers and Smith families.  Friday in the evening the Carters went to see the lights on Temple Square with their exchange student Frederik from Denmark then went to Keith and Kim's for pizza and games.                                                                           

We missed the other half of our children and grandchildren who were out-of-state.  This year Mike's birthday was on Thanksgiving again.  Thankgiving and Hanukkah were on the same day this year which is exceedingly rare. We are grateful for family!

 

 The Eliasons modeling their new sock hats!  Mark holding Lillian and Amelia, James and Gran, Kristilyn holding John. 

 Daniel missing his two front teeth, Neal and happy Anna. 

 Lillian at the playground for an afternoon break between Thanksgiving dinner and pie. 

 James and Grant have excellent arm strength and easily go back and forth on the monkey bars. 

 There was fun for everyone.  The guys really liked the spinning, angled seats. 

 The park was created for special needs children with a level soft surface. 

 Amelia

 Grant, James, and Daniel loved the luggage carrier. 

Frederick, Katrina, Neal, Daniel, and Anna.  Frederick just turned 17 and is 6 foot 4 inches He enjoyed participating in the school play "White Christmas". 

 The meeting house in Brigham City where we had dinner on Friday.  Notice the B on the mountain. 

Taeghen, Ronnell, Kelly and Aiden

Cerice and Cerrah were among the grandchildren that enjoyed playing with the toys in the nursery. 

 Daniel is really into Thomas the Train things lately and brought down some of his trains and tracks.  The grandchildren enjoyed playing with them. 

 Katrina and Anna.  Katrina was excited to buy some new flute music for a special number in church in the spring.

After Thursday dinner there was time for soccer in the back yard and tree climbing!

 Jamin, Marilee, and Michael

 Nesy,  Tim holding Aiden and Taeghen, Kelly and Ronnell,    R.J. (Raymond) married Savanna Hall in Ogden that evening, November 29, 2013. 

 Chris with his chidlren Jason, Samuel, and Tara.

 Candice, Kevin and their 4 year old twins Cerice and Cerrah. 

 Frank and Lillis Byers

Keith, Kira, Kim, and Talisa

 The Rogers 

 The Smith Family

Doug had to work in Casper but Tracy was there with her girls, Cecily, Shannon, Bristol (on Tracy's lap) and Sydney.  All of the Smith family were there but Doug, Raymond and Savannah. 

The food was delicious.  Volleyball and other games were played in the cultural hall.  Talisa, Daniel, James, and Grant were playing a version of "steal the ball" from the center of the room.  Talisa can really run!