December Delivers

The month of December started off by allowing me to deliver my service to others in the Youth Center in the Logan Temple, where I tended, and then watched a beautiful 5 month old baby be sealed to his parents while his three older siblings (14, 13, and 8) and other family members and friends watched. What a special gift this family was given.
Dale and I delivered our gift to the Lord by attending the temple as much as we could this month. The feeling of peace and His love were delivered to us.

Dale also delivered his talents and helped the community have a wonderful kick-off to the holiday season, while I delivered my services to the community by ushering at the Eccles theatre for this event as well as a Juanito Bandito Christmas Show, Voice Male Concert, and for the Bar J Wranglers Christmas Show.
Dale preformed with the American Festival Chorus with Kurt Bestor, violinist Jenny Oaks Baker and singer Jenny Jordan Frogley. It was very entertaining and uplifting. They definitely delivered a top notch performance.

I again delivered reading assessment testing to all of the children in the K-5 grades of the Cache County School District doing DIBELS testing. The kids were delivering their best I hope.

Dale and I delivered more service by helping with our ward Christmas Party; "Christmas Morning Traditions". Our great committee delivered a fun evening where we wore our pajamas (or comfy clothes), served pancakes, oranges and a hash brown & bacon breakfast casserole with juice or milk, sang songs, heard stories and memories, had the kids make a tea light Nativity scene votive, watched "A Savior Is Born", and left our straws (secret acts of service to others) in the manger to show our love for our Savior.

Dale's family delivered a family get-together with his siblings and family for his folks. We met at the Pioneer Valley Lodges (where his folks live) Activity Room and had lunch, visited, played the bells, and had a visit from Santa. Santa delivered a gift for each of us to remember the day by. Even though we had a small group there from our family it was good.

After the party, Dale and I went to Clearfield to deliver our love to our latest grandbaby, Jorie, and tend her while Garrett and Zandra went to his work party in Salt Lake. They went to dinner and then to a Alex Boye Christmas Concert. We LOVED getting to bond with Jorie more and were glad we were able to deliver help when needed. Making time for family is worth every minute.

We went took Lindsay and the kids to Preston, ID to see their Christmas lights for a FHE activity. They were good, but not like I remember they used to be when our kids were little.

Dale delivered me tickets to the Mormon Tabernacle Choirs Christmas Concert. I got a text while at work asking me if I wanted to go to the concert that night. A guy from work couldn't use his tickets.
Thank you Craig Ashton for delivering us a VERY delightful evening. The concert was called "Christmas" and featured The Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Orchestra at Temple Square and Bells on Temple Square. Featured guests were Laura Osnes and Martin Jarvis with four Metropolitan Opera Soloists. It was great (our seats were on the 12th row on the floor), the lights of Temple Square were beautiful, the dinner at The Lion House Pantry was very filling, and the company couldn't be beat!

Danica delivered what she learned this semester into her finals and felt good about the outcome with A's and B's. She also had a neighbor friend, that lives behind us and goes to Dixie State as well, deliver her to our house for her Christmas break. It was great having her spend the time with once she got out of bed.

Dale and I hosted a caroling outing for members of the ward choir and their families (Danica joined us). We bundled up and jumped on our ATV trailer that had hay bales on it and went around the neighborhood delivering our Christmas cheer through song. Then we came to our house,  where we delivered hot chocolate, donuts, cookies, a warm home, and visiting.

Andrew and Lindsay, with some help from Dale, Lindsay's dad and brother, got their basement all wired and the sheetrock up in the kids bedrooms. They also taped, mudded and textured those rooms. After working so hard, they were very deserving and in need of a break.

So Andrew, Lindsay, Titan, Eloise, Dale and I met Garrett, Zandra and Jorie at Zuppa's in Layton, and had some soup and sandwiches before heading to Salt Lake City to walk around Temple Square to see the lights with them. The weather was a bit chilly but we had a wonderful time hearing the oohs, and ahs, with the kids.

Garrett and Zandra headed home and the rest of us went to a hotel to stay the night. Andrew delivered us a room from points he'd earned with his job. Thank you Andrew!
The next day, we went to the Primary Children's Hospital where we delivered a box of different items, like play dough, sticker books, books, videos, doodle boards, glue, markers and work books for some of the kids to use to entertain them while they are there.
We wanted to give back to a place that has helped Lindsay's nephew, and our nephew's (Jonathon & Lacey Lambert) girl, as well as many others. It was a neat feeling to be there.

Danica and her boyfriend met us at the State Capital Building where we walked around and saw a HUGE Christmas tree!!! The beauty of the building along with the beauty of the tree delivered a feeling a awe.

We grabbed some lunch and then went to the Clark Planetarium and caught the "Let it Snow" lazar light show as well as took in the exhibits and fun that it had to offer. The Planetarium delivered a lot of fun and smiles.

We checked out the City Creek Mall and did a little shopping then Danica left to go to a family party with her boyfriend and we went to The Church History Museum. It has been recently remodeled and so we checked it out. There was a fun kids area and a lot of interesting displays and artwork. History delivers a lot of insight.

Snow was delivered in time to make it a white Christmas and while we were heading home from SLC late on the evening of Dec. 23rd, I got a call from Amie saying that she was heading to the hospital. They were going to be having their baby! Her C-section was scheduled for Jan. 4th, but the baby wanted to join in the celebrating. Her water broke and he was coming!

Early Dec. 24th, infact at 12:44am, Mazin Ray Mallory came into this world weighing 8lbs. 6 oz. and measuring 20 inches long. Amie delivered one of the greatest gifts of the month.

Andrew and Dale went out elk hunting on the Millville face on the 24th, but they didn't deliver an elk. They got wet, cold and tired, but had a good time. A success in my eyes.

We had Dale's nieces, Whittney and Morgan (cousins) stop by to visit us (really Danica) It was great to see them!

Andrew, Lindsay and kids, Danica, Dale and I met my brother, Danny and his wife, Terry at the Logan Cemetery on Christmas Eve where we gathered at my folks grave to sing carols and share memories of these two great examples of love. Andrew delivered a treat by bringing his harmonica and accompanying us as we sang. Love you mom and dad. Merry Christmas!

We picked up Dale's folks on our way home and met Garrett, Zandra & Jorie. We had our traditional Christmas meal of cheese ball, crackers, vegetable tray, and soup in a bun. Then we each shared our talents and memories, watched a short video about Christ's birth, and sang songs with Garrett at the piano. We all delivered and all benefited.

After everyone left Dale, Danica and I put in a Christmas movie and soaked in the spirit of the season as the snow started falling.

Christmas morning was quiet, but still good. Santa delivered the goods and we checked them out.
Danica got a surprise. I had a quilt made using her soccer t-shirts from Club ball through where she is now, at Dixie. She was pretty happy. Dale got a new flat screen 40in. Smart TV that put a smile on his face, and I was surprised by getting a new Bosh Mixer. After 35 years, maybe it was time for a new one.

We went over to Andrew and Lindsay's and had breakfast and saw what Santa had delivered to them, and played with the kids. Then we had our traditional ham and Augratin potatoe meal here.

Tradition carried on and we gathered at the church in River Heights where we had our Petersen Family Christmas gathering. We ate finger foods, played games and visited. The group was smaller, but still fun. Petersen's know how to deliver fun!

Nate and Kim spent Christmas at the ski resort at Mt. Baker in Washington. The snow delivered a lot of smiles for them and a well deserved break from teaching classes in the gym and doing rounds at the hospitals.

Amie and Mazin got to go home from the hospital early in the evening on Christmas day. Matt, Jaxson, Kennlyn and Langston all had colds, but they wore the masks so no germs would be delivered to that cute little guy.

The Mallory's delayed opening their Christmas gifts so Amie and Mazin could join them. Having a new one in the home delivered a special spirit to the holidays. Santa couldn't outdo the gift Amie brought into their family.

Garrett and Zandra celebrated Jorie's first Christmas with her. She has delivered a whole new level of love into their lives. They also celebrated their 4th wedding anniversary.

Andrew, Danica and Dale went skiing at Beaver Mtn. up Logan Canyon where the fresh snow delivered a great time. They all got into good snow as well as good and tired.

Danica and I headed out to go to Oakley, ID to spend some time with the Mallory's to  help her out.
We delivered all the help we could and got caught up on what's been going on with them.
Jaxson played in a Christmas piano recital. He's developing his talents in a lot of areas. Both Jaxson and Kennlyn participated in their school Christmas programs and Jaxson's been playing on a traveling competitive basketball team. No wonder Amie delivered early! They are a busy family.

Andrew and Lindsay are teaching the kids how to ski and have been a few times. They plan to go a lot more. Andrew's making up for missing Utah's  Greatest Snow on Earth the last two years.

We all celebrated the New Year's Eve in one way or another. Dale joined us at Amie's and we played in the snow with the kids, pulling them behind the 4-wheeler on a saucer, and played games.
Nate and Kim went into Seattle and brought in the New Year in big city style.

Andrew threw Lindsay a surprise early birthday party with family and friends. Garrett and Zandra had a quieter evening and Danica was with us at Amie's.

December delivered a lot of great memories, a white Christmas, and an addition to the family. There's nothing more we can ask for because December did deliver!