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