NUTCRACKER BALLET

Christmas is on its way and one sure sign is the Nutcracker Ballet. Since some of our grandkids perform each year we go and enjoy this each year.

Before going, we stop at Sigfried's for a pre perfomrance dinner. Here is a picture of Christina, Catherine, Becky, Becca and Abigail who joined Paul, Cheryl, Loren and Emilie Eva, Opa and Oma for the traditional pre ballet meal.

We had Schnitzel, Bratwurst, great Sauerkraut, Ghurkensalat,Spaetzeli and the kids had Kartofelsalat. After a week of straight turkey, it tasted really good. Cathy and Pete went down there tonight and had the same. Cathy bought $30.00 worth of German chocolate and Kindereier.

The ballet is performed by professional ballet dancers and kids who are in the West Valley Ballet company. This year Cheryl had her daughter's try out again and three were in the performance. Mary Clair was the smallest of the children in the first scene and danced and twirled and really was so cute. Annabelle was one of the toy soldiers in red uniforms (up from blue). Madeline was one of those servant kids that come in crouched over, do a lot of dancing and she held the cake. 120 girls tried out for her part and Madeline and one other were the onlyh ones not from the Professional group.

It was fun to watch these girls perform so well and they were the main ones I noticed. Mary Clair really emoted and carried on; she was a hit. The ballerinas were excellent and it was a great evening. Now Cheryl can take a deep breath and not have to drive so much for the daily practices.

Here is a picture of our three ballerinas; Mary Clair, Annabelle and Madeline. Good work gals, you brought a lot of smiles to many faces.

We go to Bountiful tomorrow for the baby blessing of Cathy and Pete's new little daughter (our 68th grandchild.)

Alles Gute,

Mom and Dad

THANKSGIVING WHIRLWIND

Dear Family,

We had such a great time over the Thanksgiving celebration! I did not take so many pictures as I was carving three turkeys but Emily took many and put them into a video on her blog, check it out.

We had 42 to a sit down thanksgiving dinner. Rick and Gemina came up from California, Rob and Eva and their three children came down from Spokane. We had most of the families here in the area.

There was great preparation. Mom had the entire downstairs painted for the occasion and the kitchen was also painted. We had a new refrigerator installed and we were finally ready. We did the turkeys; we had three, an organic one for those organically sensitive, I brined and smoked a smaller one, then we had a 25 pounder complete with the best oyster dressing possible. Gemina brought up 30 fresh oysters in the shell from a seafood market in Santa Monica but I thought they were too good for dressing so Rob shucked them and Rob, Eva and I put them away on the half shell.

Here is a picture of Rick (Beverly Hills Lawyer) and Rob, (Retinal Surgeon) peeling potatoes for Gemina's mashed potatoes. We used to call this KP in the army, (kitchen police). The mashed potatoes were great! So many other cooked and prepared as well. Becca roasted the politically correct organic turkey in a rotisserie oven and baked 150 Parker House rolls. Emily brought dressings and dips; her daughter Caroline baked two pies. Rayanne brought more rolls and her famous jello whipped cream salad. Everyone brought may treats and side dishes. Finally it was all prepared and ready to eat.

We expressed thanks for all our blessings especially the blessings of the Gospel and the blessings of Family and Paul blessed the food. It was organized this year that the adults who sat at the main table went through first, then the teenagers and then the little kids; this worked well and since they had to wait, it kept them in their seats longer. When we lived in Michigan, Rick used to time how long it took to eat the meal and I think the fastest was about 12 minutes to put away a dinner that took days to prepare. This time it took longer.. 30 minutes and it was more enjoyable. Love, gratitude and good feeling all around filled the room and our home and it was great.

There were non stop activities after. A group went up to Paul's parent's home and bowled. We all gathered at Paul and Cheryl's new great home in Holladay for dessert and further fun and games. It was so great. There were activities on Friday and then on Saturday, Paul and Becca had seat for the BYU - Utah football game and Rob and Rick drove down for that. That evening, Cheryl had tickets in the box for the Jazz basketball game and I went with Doug and Becky. They got a chance to sit on the floor for a period.

Sunday, we took Rob, Eva, Rick Gemina and kids to Cheryl's ward for church. Cheryl had this great brunch after church in their new home.

Well it was a great event and I loved every minute of it. It was such a great time of Thanksgiving, family and fun. It is quiet around here again and we can catch our breath. Thanks for all the help in setting up. cooking and cleaning up after; it was a production.

We love you all, Dad

NEW CALLING

Dear Family,

As we telephoned around, I have a new calling in the Church. Today I was ordained a Patriarch to work in the University 7th Stake which is a singles stake and indeed the one I served on the High Council for 3 1/2 years, It is a large stake and ever growing. Paul H. was the Bishop of the ward I was assigned to in that Stake.

I did not see this calling coming and was surprised and humbled. It is a calling that only involves Blessing and not counseling or administration. It is a calling that is not discussed in the High Council. The Stake President sends his recommendation to the Twelve and they approve. The Stake President is then authorized to do the ordination.

There does not seem to be much training. I received some materials tonight which included the thinnest Handbook in the Church; all of- five pages.

My Father was a Patriarch and indeed the first Patriarch of the New York stake when it was originally organized. Once a Patriarch, you keep this office all your life. Dad became one when he was 45 and was active also in Utah when we moved there. He was often called on to give Blessings to members from different countries where there were no Stakes. They would be visiting for conference and assignments were made. Now just about every stake has someone filling this office.

This assignment has implications for the family because as Patriarch, I can give blessing to my grandchildren no matter where they live. Now I just have to live long enough to take care of this for the 68 grandchildren.

There is such a humbling feeling associated with this call. I watched my Dad fill his office and noted how seriously he performed it and watched him prepare for it. He gave me my Blessing as well as my cousins. Mom and I used to hang around the Patriarchs back East. George Romney was one in Michigan and we were close to them. Many of the Patriarchs were our close friends and we used to go on our Friday night double dates with them. They were all solid good men and I hoped some of what they had would eventually rub off.

I was pleased that several of the family came for this. The picture shows Doug, Stake President Walter Plumb, Oma and Opa, Becca, Emily, Cathy, Mike, Cheryl and Paul. They all drove through a snow blizzard to get there. There was a great Spirit there. I am a bit loss for words tonight but grateful for this opportunity.

Love, Dad

AUTUMN BEAUTY

Dear Family,

Autumn is here and fast moving on. It has been a beautiful fall the trees were golden brown and the sun was always shining. This is a view from the front our house towards the mountains and towards the city at night. You can see the lights of the It when all the leaves have fallen. This picture was taken by Kristin G.

As fall nears its end, University of Utah football games at home have also come to an end. We have enjoyed the season. We were invited to box seats on the fifth level which gives a wonderful view of the game and marching band. I took Doug as Mom was busy with the house in preparation for the Thanksgiving feast. She completely painted the downstairs, took all the pictures off the wall, put them up again, rearranged furniture and worked to get ready for Rickand Gemina and Rob and Eva's visit for Thanksgiving. We had help with the painting and picture hanging.

Doug enjoyed the game. There was a catered feast before the game; he slipped down with Paul H. and kids to their seats in the stadium. This is always a big event and there are all sorts of people that we meet every time from all over.

The grankids, Cheryl and Paul's kids come fully dressed for the occasion. The girls are in Cheer leading outfits and Paul Jr. comes decked out in red and we sing the fight song, "I am a Utah Man sir and I live across the Green" with Gusto. Mom and I of course graduated from the"U" and Mom was elected to a student body office. Even though we have 18 BYU degrees among the kids, we root for the "U".

Here is Olivia and Emily Eva ready for the game. Olivia found she could drink her hot chocolate better with six straws.

The University of Utah won its game and next week will face BYU in Provo for one of those arch rival games. The grankids do not understand why Mom and I root for the"U"

Fall is gradually coming to a close and there is snow in the mountains.

Alles Gute und alles Liebe,

Opa

TEMPLE ACTIVITY

Dear Family,

Last Sunday, there was a Devotional service in the Sale Lake Temple for all those who work there. There may be 4200 or more workers which includes the ordinance workers (1700), other volunteer workers, support staff, maintenance's, kitchen etc. All were invited to a service held in the Assembly room on the fifth floor. They had to have two shifts; one at 8 AM and one at 11:00 AM.

We went to the 8 AM meeting. You have to be in your seat one half hour early. We dressed and then went up to the fifth floor and watched everyone fill that large room including the balconies, all in white. It was marvelous and a little breathtaking. There was a Temple Choir that sounded so great and there was just a hush and total reverence.

The Temple President and his wife spoke and she referred to Rev, 7:13-15. Elder Oaks was the featured speaker. His wife also spoke and gave a great talk. Elder Oaks gave a wonderful spiritual message that reminded all of the important work they do in the Temple. It was a great experience.

Just so you know, we did not get out of our own ward and went to Church that afternoon for all the meetings. It seemed so empty without Al's kids crawling all over us.

Today, Thursday, we went out to the Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple, which is about 4000 West on the west side of the valley below the Oquirrh Mountains. It is supposed to be one of the smaller temples but I thought it was quite large and very tall. It was beautifully constructed and recently dedicated.

We went there for the wedding of one of our missionaries, Jonathan Anderson who served in Stuttgart while we were there. We met his parents and his brothers and sisters and one of his companions was there as well.

Here is a picture of Jonathan and his bride. It was a touching ceremony and we love seeing these former missionaries making this step in life.

We look forward to Thanksgiving this month. Rick and Gemina and Madeline will be here. Rob, Eva and their three children will be here also. Those are the out of towners. Emily, Mike, Cheryl, Becca, Cathy and their families will be here also. There will be turkey here and we are thinking we might go to Cheryl's for dessert in their new house. Might be a good place for the traditional touch football game afterward.

I will make the traditional oyster dressing if anyone will eat it. May try to smoke one of the turkeys as well. It will be so much fun.

We love you all,

Mom and Dad

MORE BAPTISIMS

We had two family baptisms this last weekend. Loren, Paul and Cheryl's daughter turned eight and was baptized in the baptismal font in our ward. It was a family baptismal service and it was wonderful. Afterward we learned that there were two investigators there.

Loren looked like an angel and was so happy. Much of the family came as well to be part of the service. There was a wonderful Spirit there. The Opas gave the talks and the Omas gave the prayers. Paul baptized Loren and we all participated in the confirmation. Paul Jr. played a collection of church hymns in the interim. I found it hard to read my scriptural quote with moist eyes.

It was a very sweet and moving service and we are so proud of Loren. Here is a picture of Loren with her parents and Loren and her Dad.

We had a luncheon at Cheryl's afterward and it was so much fun. Some of the guys there then volunteered to help Cheryl move some rugs and things into her new house.

Julianna, Suz and Scott's was also baptized this weekend in Mexico City where they are living. We could not get to that one but Suz sent a picture on Julianna and her Dad. She also looked like a little angel. Suz sent a picture of Julianna holding the set of scriptures that Oma sent her and she was beaming. We so miss that family down there in Mexico. If it weren't for the altitude, we would be down there.

We are so proud of our grandkids who qualify for baptism and confirmation. We are certainly in the "Having joy and rejoicing in our Posterity" phase of life.

We are proud of you all and send our love,

Alles Gute, Opa

FIRESIDE IN OREM

I was invited to give a talk in Orem at a Stake High Priest Quorum gathering. This is a yearly meeting where business is carried out, and a speaker is invited.

I talked about Nathan Smith, founder of Dartmouth and Yale Medical Schools and his involvement with Joesph Smith's orthopedic surgery as a child of seven.

Here is the Samuel B. Morse's painting of Nathan Smith that is found at Yale University Medical School.

We drove down to Orem and set up the projection and computer equipment and the members started to file in. They brought their wives and in addition Emily and Mike and some of their kids showed up as well. There must have been 600 file in as the chapel and half the recreation hall filled. I was impressed.

They were a great group with a great spirit. I gave my power point presentation on the details of Joseph's surgery and the unusual fact that the only surgeon performing direct operations on bone in 1813 was none other than Nathan Smith. I could find no other mention of this operation anywhere in the English or German medical literature. It is a great story and the very first one we have about Joseph Smith in his youth. I took Emily's boy, Joseph, who is seven years old as my object lesson.. the same age as Joseph when he was operated in 1813
.

We give this about once or twice a month to various groups in Salt Lake. There are a lot of active Gospel study groups around the city and we get invited. We so enjoy doing this.

Alles Gute, Opa