HEILIGER ABEND

Dear Family,

Christmas Eve was another family celebration. We have done the nativity with a reading from the Bible since th kids were little. Now they have their own childrn and we hae more players. Emily, John and their family including Johnny who just came back from his mission to Greece, Mike, Rayanne and kids, and Becca and Paul and their kids all came for our Christmas Eve celebration. We had a nice roast and everyone bought side dishes and desserts.

It was great and there was much joy. We did our nativity scene. Since we cannot celebrate in Germany, we brought a little of Bavaria to Sherwood Drive with Opa and Oma in Trachten clothes. We had great players this year with wonderful costumes. Emily and Becca directed, Caroline did a video and I read from the Bible. Emily edited the video.

We sang Xmas Carols, did a Book of Mormon simulation with Samuel the Lamanite on the wall. The kids love peppering him with paper rocks and stones. Johnny told the story.

At the end, Emily directed the kids in a Bells chorus and they did pretty well. It was so great to get together and talk about the birth of the Savior and His meaning in our lives. I like the third stanza of the carol we sang, Away in the Manger;

"Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask thee to stay

Close by me forever and love me, I pray

Bless all the dear children in thy tender care,

And fit us for heaven to live with thee there."

On Christmas Day, Mom and I opened gifts. This was the first time in many years that no one else besides us was there . We drove down to Mapleton and made the round at Emily's. Mike and had dinner at Becca's with Paul's family there. It was so much fun.

OTHER NEWS:

Kaley gave birth to another boy on Christmas Day. (Another Stammhalter). They are of course down in Florida. She had midwives come in and she had a natural childbirth and all was well. i was concerned about this plan as the midwives were 45 minutes away and suggested to John that he Google the subject "Delivering Babies for Dummies" just in case the midwives did not show up. Kaley's Mom and sister were there; John was in some other kind of state. The little boy weighted nine pounds and is a chunk. All are doing well. This is Grandchild #69.

Becca announced another Christmas surprise; she is expecting as well sometime in the late summer.

Our Christmas was so full. We are so richly blessed and we are grateful for the kindness of Heaven.

As they say in Germany this time of the year: Alles Gute und einen guten Rutsch ins Neujahr wuenschen euch allen Opa u. Oma

JOHNNY COMES HOME FOR XMAS

Dear Family,

Johnny came home from his mission to Greece, Athens Mission where he served for two years. The greeting at the airport was great. Check out Emily's blog with her video.

Here is a picture of Emily and Elder Hickey (not released yet!) at the airport. Mom wants me to point out that the lady is not his girlfriend but his Mom.. Emily who looks like she is 18.

It was an emotional moment. Johnny served well in Greece and served as a AP at the end. I can't believe that the two years have sped by so fast.

He was surprised at how much all his brothers and sisters grew. We are very proud of him. He was the first grandson to earn his Eagle and the first grandchild to fill a mission. More coming!

Alles Gute und eine Froehlich Weihnachten und guten Rutsch ins Neujahr wuenschen wir euch. We will get out a card after Xmas

Alles Liebe, Opa und Oma

TRIP TO VIRGINIA

Dear Family,

Last week, we traveled back to Warren County Virginia to visit our friends Larry and Madeline M. in their home and farm. I love it back there and love visiting with them. We have so much in common and just chat away constantly. He was Mission President in Frankfurt, Germany when we were in Munich.

We talked at length during our missions as well and one time we discussed the athletes in our mission. I don't know who said it first but somehow the comment was made that "Our missionaries could beat yours at basketball".

So we had a little secret game in our mission on our Preparation day. We had to return about four cars to the European Area Office in Frankfurt . I asked the fleet director how we could get these extra cars up there and he suggested that someone might come down from the Frankfurt Mission and drive the vehicles back to Frankfurt. "Well,I 'll chat with President Manwaring and maybe we can work something out" was my reply.

This was a great chance and we decided to meet in Wurzberg, Germany, which was close to his mission (he always wanted that city). It turns out that there is a big US Army base there and I called the Chaplain who was one of our good members in the ward there to see if the gym was available. He secured the gym and The Frankfurters came down with a van load of missionaries who would drive the extra cars back. He brought a ringer; one of his missionaries was a college player in Southern Utah. We put a team together of missionaries to drive the extra cars up there, some of whom promised they could actually play basketball.

Somehow shirts were made. The sisters in Wurzburg were recruited as coach and referee. John was there coming through after his mission in Taiwan and he was recruited as team manager. Even my German AP played and he made a basket.

Well I will not say much about this legal preparation day game in our mission but we almost won. I did not know about a three point shooter I had in the mission; if he had played, we could have almost won better. A great time was had by all and I treated the entire group to American Pizza at the base commissary. Tasted so good for a change.

So Larry never lets me forget about this game we almost won. The other thing he stresses in Virginia is all the battlefields we drove around where the Union troops lost. "Didn't the North win any battles around here?" I asked, "Not that they taught us in school" was the reply.

Well anyway we had a great time. Larry also likes upland bird hunting and is a great shot. We used his dogs which are highly trained Brittany Spaniels and it was fun to watch them work as a group. I have done a lot of bird hunting and these were the best dogs ever!

Larry is also a good cook and we ate pheasant for two days and it was the best ever!

We tried deer hunting as well. He set up a blind in his backyard where deer were spotted each day. They did not come out while we were there; it was very cold but when we returned at night, deer were almost jumping over our car, the cheeky little devils. And we get home in Salt Lake to find three deer walking down our street as we pulled in the driveway at night.

Well we are home and preparing for Xmas. Smaller group for Xmas Eve this time as many families travel to other parts. We will make the rounds on Xmas Day.

Alles Gute und Schoene Weihnachten wuenschen wir allen.

Love Opa and Oma

OUR NEW YORK HOME

Dear Family,

Mary and Mark went back to Flushing, New York, to visit Mark's parents who are on a senior mission there. She happened to call one day and mention where she was.

"Flushing? That is where I grew up! Go to 159-01 33rd Avenue and on the corner you will see the home where we all grew up.

They went to a missionary meeting with Mark's parents and then drove up Northern Boulevard to 159th street and up to 33rd avenue and there was our house. Descendants of the people we sold the house to still live there. There were many Doctor's homes on this street.

The man who built this house in the 20's was the owner of a business called, "Adam's Hats". Everyone wore hats in those days. We had to wear them as missionarys even in Europe. This hat company had stores everywhere and it was a popular hat.

One day we had a carpenter over to fix the ceiling in the family room downstairs. As he was pounding away on the ceiling, taking it down to put up a new one, a shower of gold coins came down out of the ceiling. The carpenter almost fainted.. I was watching. We gathered them all up.

When Roosevelt went off the gold standard and he called in all the private gold, old Mr. Adams saved a bit and stashed it in the ceiling. My Dad became a "Coin Collector" and it was legal to keep them.

My Dad had a medical office in the home; a waiting room, consultation office and an exam room and saw patients in the evening when he was done with surgery in New York City and when he was finished in his New York office. Our living room was upstairs. There were buttons all over the place where Mr. Adams would ring the servants.

We all attended public school, PS 132 and had to walk 13 blocks, rain, shine, sleet or snow as Mom did not drive and Dad was always tied up with his medical and surgical practice. Dad was also the first Patriarch of the newly formed New York Stake.

Well Mary took this photo and it brought back a lot of memories and I was tickled that the memories are all still up there.

We love you all,

Dad and Mom

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

AL AND PAUL MOVE TO MICHIGAN

Alison and Paul and their six children packed up and moved to Michigan. Al and Paul moved to Utah about the same time we came back from our mission and bought a house around the corner from us. It was so great to have them close. She had two more children there and we watched the family grow.

Al and I had a good time. She got me interested in some of the finer points of cooking and we shopped together, went on trips to "Spoons and Spice" to get all the gadgets. Paul thought there was a kitchen arms race going on. It was just fun.

Then they decided they would move back to Michigan where they both grew up and where Paul joined the church. They sold their house and in the interval lived in our basement apartment for four months and that was great. We shared food and fun. I would take tho boys to Cabala's and we would walk around and see everything, do the laser shooting range and eat a bison brat and check out the aquarium. One time Al asked James, "What did you do at Cabala's?" "We did everything you could do at Cabala's without spending thousands of dollars!"

We went to church with them and occupied the last two rows on the right. It was a ball and the people sitting behind us had a show every Sunday. The little girls would crawl all over my lap and little Henry joined in as well. Here is a picture I sneakingly took with my Blackberry on Al's last visit to our ward. She is sitting next to Becca who came up for the family dinner after. We had Rob there as well and 45 came to Sunday dinner.

It was hard to say goodbye as they lined up next to their 15 passenger van on their way to Michigan. It was almost like history being revisited in reverse. I will miss them very much including all the little kids. They were great to have in our home. I would go to the head of the stairs and call out names and sometimes they answered. Then I went to the head of the stairs and whispered very softly, "I have a licorice treat!" and kids came running up from all the rooms downstairs. They do have good hearing. It has been quiet around here and we miss them so much but they need to pursue their goals in Michigan.

Then I got this picture yesterday. This is now Michigan and here are Al's kids, Peter, William and James, with their cousins, Nicky and football player, Scotty. Scotty plays football for the East Hills JV football team and they are winners.

I was disoriented when I saw the picture; they were just here and now they are there. Life is so full of partings and greetings, I should be used to it by now but when loved ones leave for a bit it still is felt. We now have three families in Michigan.

We wish Paul and Al and the gang all the best in their move to Ann Arbor and even though I am a "Utah Man" I can say, "Go Blue".

Love, Opa

CATHY HAS A BABY GIRL, OUR 68TH GRANDCHILD

Cathy had an early Halloween party and birthday party for Phillip. She wore her pumpkin costume but this year she did not wear a pillow underneath as she was expecting any minute. I hoped she would wait until after our Elk hunt and she did.

I do not know how they are doing deliveries nowadays; Mom just had the babies without a lot of planning for the moment. But now you have to work around the schedule of the Obstetrician and the availabilities of hospital beds for birthing mothers and the Dad's working schedule.

As I understand it, Pete took a week off from his dental practice and on Tuesday, Cathy started to have contractions. These were spaced but she went into the hospital and they put some sort of contraction monitor on her to decide whether she could stay.

Cathy somehow could simulate contractions in between the real contractions and make it show on the monitor. She would put in an extra pseudo contraction between the natural ones and they kept her and the obstetrician said, "OK, we will deliver the baby," Cathy then had a nice little 7 1/2 pound girl, Amelia Rose.

I took a picture with my Blackberry and here is Cathy and little Amelia, their third child and our 68th Grandchild.

Way to go Cathy and Pete, you have a great family

Alles Gute,

Dad

ELK HUNT IN IDAHO

When I was under the weather a couple of months ago, Rob suggested it might be good to get out and go hunting.

When the boys were growing up, I took them hunting and I did several hunts with Rob including a great safari to Africa. He wanted to treat me to a hunt. He suggested an Elk hunt but I was not sure I was up to it. He found an Elk hunt in Idaho that I could manage.

He organized a hunt with the Rocky Mountain Elk Ranch located between Rexburg and Driggs, Idaho.

One of the best parts of an adventure is the planning and preparation. There were several trips to Cabelas, (my tailors) and picked up gadgets and noggets for the hunting trip. Cabelas is packed with many hunters making their won preparations. I picked up a Cow Elk call, the Hootchie Momma. We loaded the ammo, sighted in the rifles, got the ATV repaired, fixed the trailer and we were ready.

Rob flew down from Spokane, we loaded up the gear and drove off with the Ford Pickup pulling the ATV. It was a great drive and we chatted and remembered great times and great hunts. We arrived at the ranch about 6 PM.

The ranch was great with with wide open living room area, large bedrooms with queen size bunk beds. Rob got the top bunk. The owners and operators and our guides, as it turned out, were members of the Church so we had prayers in camp which was unusual.

We looked out the window and saw a few elk far off. There were three bulls and I tried the Hootchie Momma caller once through an open window. They all popped their heads up and even as the rut was over, they were interested.

We started out at daybreak on ATV's and rode through a rough trail in the woods but did not scare up anything or see anyting. It was cold and rainy. The guide found a high spot and scouted the area. He spotted three bulls and cows far off.

We got a little closer, glassed the elk with binoculars and there was one very nice bull. We ranged them at 180 yards. They were starting to go down a steep ravine where it would have been a real chore to bring them out and it was now or never.

Rob did a little stalk and got closer and shot a large cow elk. We processed the game quickly, took them to a butcher who promised to butcher the meat, vacuum pack it and flash freeze if for our departure on Saturday. This was most efficient!

Friday we drove over to the Huntsman Springs development in Driggs, Idaho. Paul has been involved with this huge development for several years. They have built a world class golf course and Rob wanted to try it out. It was fabulous. I rode in the golf cart and Rob played the last nine holes. I learned what a "Mulligan" is. Rob was in Heaven! We met Karen and Jon who showed us the fabulous homes they are building. It is a golfers dream!

The next day we loaded up, picked our frozen elk meat (350 lbs processed meat) and drove home. The horns were mounted on the ATV and we received slobbering congratulations by all the Elk Hunters we met at stops on the way home.

It was a great and memorable trip and I am grateful to Rob for making it possible.

Love, Dad

CHINESE SURGICAL VISIT

Dr. Doug has been working with Chinese surgeons in Beijing, China for several years. This was a tradition started by Elder Nelson when he was doing cardiac surgery. Dr. Doty continued the cardiac work and Doug started them on the peripheral vascular work in stroke prevention.

Doug has been training surgeons to do carotid endarterectomies which is a clean out of cholesterol plaques in the carotid artery bifurcation, the carotid artery of course brings blood to the brain. When that artery narrows or gets filled up with friable material, some of this can go up into the brain and cause a stroke. When diagnosed and treated surgically properly, it will prevent stroke. They have a significant stroke problem in China. The surgeons had complications with the surgery at the beginning but Doug has gone over there each year and showed them how to do the operation safely, made sure they had the proper instruments and proper diagnostic equipment.

The picture shows a group of these surgeons who came for a visit. To the right of Mom is Dr. Wang who came over to work in the cardiac research lab at the LDS Hospital and is now a US citizen. Behind Mom is Dr. Doug and on his left is Dr. Jang. He has done 700 carotid endarterectomies since they began the program. Doug goes over there and operated with him.

Dr. Jang was very kind to us during our visit to Beijing last year.

These are a great group of men and I liked them. All the Chinese I have met are very respectful of older people and their experience. They make sure the oldest gets the best seat and often the last morsel of food is passed to this person. We gathered at a Cambodian restaurant for this meeting.

One of the Chinese surgeons mentioned that he might like to send his daughter over to BYU for college and university. I told him that 15 of our 17 children graduated from the "Y" and it was a top notch school. Mike, who is a professor of Electrical Engineering there, organized a tour of the campus for this group. I hope he sends his daughter over here. Doug will go over there next month.

Well ongoing activity around here.


Next week is the Elk Hunt in Driggs, Idaho, with Rob who is coming down from Spokane. We were unsuccessful in our last attempt two years ago. Roy is flying in from Colorado as the offical Spotter and Filmer. We will drive up there in the pick up and stay at a ranch for three days. More about this when we get back.

Alles Gute, Dad

MISSIONARY REUNIONS

Dear Family,

It is Church General Conference time and with it all the visitors from all over and the many missionary reunions all over the valley.

I was in the Temple last week to greet visitors and who should walk in but friends from the Munich second ward. I attended their brother in law's sealing and we rattled on in German for an hour.


Last night Mom and I attended the Swiss- Austrian Mission reunion from my first mission. That is now 54 years ago and I can't believe it.

The top photo (now scanned and not so sharp) was taken in Zurich in 1956 on Lake Zurich. There are five missionaries there and from left to right, Elder Burton, Sis Chugg, her companion, Sis Michael, Elder Woodruff, my Junior companion, and the then younger Elder Wirthlin. Elder Burton's companion took the picture. This was our equivalent of "P" Day and notice that we were wearing required hats.

Last night at our mission reunion, I realized that after 53 years, all members of that group were present and the second picture shows that same group many years later. We were happy to be there and to stand together again. Of note is that on their return from their missions, Elder Burton married Sister Chugg and they had 8 children. He became a professional musician and music professor at Utah State college, Elder Woodruff a successful banker with a great family and you know about us. All filled extra missions later in life. So there it was, before and now; so much has transpired through the years; so great to see one another again. Our Faith and Belief are like a super glue that binds relationships through time... very hard to unglue.

We will enjoy General Conference,

Alles Gute, Opa

SPENCER'S BAPTISM

Dear Family,

Spencer turned eight and we had his baptism on Sunday. They do baptisms differently in Utah. Usually it is a stake baptism as there are so many at one time and the wards do not all have baptismal fonts. Emily invited me to speak at the baptism of one of her children before we went on our mission. I thought this would be a little private thing but there must have been over 100 kids with several wards involved. It was like speaking to a Stake conference.

This time Spence was the only one so they allowed a private baptism and it was arranged so both grandparents could be present. Must of our gang arrived and there was the Bleak family as well who came down from Oregon.

Here is a picture of Opa W., Spencer and dad, Dr. Doug. Spence had asked me to do the baptism. We wondered before we began, "When was the last time I had baptized someone?" As you know, I did not baptize all the kids as when the boys were Priest age, they baptized their siblings. I guess Julie was the last one of the kids I baptized and that was 20 years ago. Paul F., Alison's husband, reminded me it was exactly 15 years ago that I baptized him when he was a student at University of Michigan. So this invitation was a high honor and everything went well.

As we were changing, members of the family spoke with grandparents (not me) expressing their feelings. All the little kids, mostly our grandkids sang Primary songs. There was a terrific spirit there. The baptistery was totally filled with family and friends. Here is a picture of all the kids participating in song at the baptism.

Afterward there was a dinner at out house. Doug's house was all torn up in renovation. It was another grand family event with everyone bringing something. Mom did the fruit. Becca made two hundred bread sticks that were simply snarfed. I had my sourdough bread, Emily helped with the salad and brought cupcakes and cake, Christina brought the lasagna and everything was consumed quickly. Alison made the best Creme Carmel and unfortunately set it in front of Doug and myself. It was a great family event where we celebrated Spence's baptism and Joseph's birthday.

The next family event will be the high protein low veggie dinner after General Priesthood Meeting this coming Saturday evening. Watch the broadcast in our ward and treats at our house. Doug may bring something special.

We are looking forward to General Conference this weekend.

Alles Gute, Opa

ANDOVER HIGH SCHOOL

We lived in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan for 27 years. All our children, all 17, graduated from Andover High School in Bloomfield Hills.

We had one or more kids as students at Andover each of those 27 years. Recently there was a Andover High School group formed on Facebook and you had to meet the following requirements to join:

"If you were a Andover Baron in the 80's......

you had Mr. Kwasny or Miss Hubel for science...
you had Mr. Dain or Mr. Buford for history...
you took Driver's Ed. with Mr. Shegina...
you listened to WBFH...
you thought that Lahser was the "Leisure School"...
you thought the Baron Village Inn was a real restaurant...
you remember the hockey team going to state finals ...
you knew someone with a Camaro and that was cool...
you knew a Wirthlin ...
you dressed up for Halloween at school...
you wore your collar up on your Izod shirt...y
ou remember when they added the freshmen class...
you used the terms "bogue" and "types" "

I guess we are still rememberd there

Alles Gute, Dad

JOSH GETS HIS EAGLE AWARD!

Josh, Emily's second son received his Eagle scouting award. Johnny who is on a mission in Athens Greece was the first in her family to get his Eagle. We have four Eagle grandsons now; Johnny, Douglas, Aaron and Josh.

They had a great court of honor in Mapelton. They are pretty hard core about these things there. There was an "Eagles Nest" where all those who had ever received an Eagle award sit. Once an Eagle, you are recognized for this for life. There were 8 young men who received this award at that court of honor.

They brought a live Eagle, Liberty, from the Hogle zoo and she was the star.. calling out and constantly flapping her wings. It was a very large Eagle an her handler talked about the American Eagle and its symbolism. These are vivid court of honors.

All our eight sons received their Eagle award and we are so tickled that this great tradition is being carried on in the next generation. It is an accomplishment that has lasting value. There was a great get together after at Emily and John's house where so much of the family gathered. Congratulations to all Eagle scouts and those working on this award.

Other upcoming family events include; Spencer's baptism next Sunday, (he asked Opa to do the honors) with a family dinner at our home after the baptism and don't forget the All Guys barbecue after the Saturday Priesthood session of General conference. We meet in our Ward for the televised meeting transmission and then it is up to the house for the high protein, low veggie serving. We hope all can come. (We will have a salad).

We would like to plan a Opa's and Oma's Family Home Evening here at our home maybe every other month. We know everyone is over scheduled but the numerous cousins have a good time together and I do not believe this is overdoing the schedule. Leave your comments.

Alles Gute und alles Liebe, Opa

FOOTBALL SATURDAY

Dear Family,

School has started and so has the football season. We have three grand sons playing football, Paul H., Nate and Douglas. Here is a picture of Nate's team gathering for their game in the shadows of the Wasatch mountains.

Dr. Doug, Nate's father is one of the football coaches which he manages to do when not operating.

I took James and we watched Nate play football. It was fun to watch because Nate plays tough football. He is linebacker and a half back. When he blocks or tackles, you can hear this loud smack clear across the field and the other player is either flat on his back or airborne. He ran a touchdown in, made a great cut and stiff armed a potential tackler. A Mom at the side line said, "that kid is an animal" and when he made the touchdown, there was this shout, "Way to go Wirthlin!" Kinda warmed my heart. He plays with an intensity that is not learned and he reminded me of Rob when he played high school ball. Nat's team won 50 to 0.

Here is a photo of Defensive coach, Dr. Doug and Nate.

After the game, we did treats at Artic Circle and then it was home to watch the Michigan, Notre Dame game on the big screen. Paul F., one of the more rabid Michigan fans, was there and Doug came over...both graduates of a Michigan school.

The tensions and anxiety levels were high and there was nail biting and frequent calls to Spokane where two more Michigan fans, Rob and Jeff got together to watch the game. They are also nutso fans!

It was a great game and when Michigan scored the winning touchdown in the last 11 seconds of the game, Paul went nuts as did everyone in the room. Paul started jumping up and down and at six foot six, I thought he would go through the ceiling. He did this high kicking dance much like the drum majors strutting across the field; I have never seen anything quite like it. When things settled down, we watched that winning touchdown about 50 times again with much cooing and satisfied high fives from the die hard fans.

Then of course we had to stay up and watch University of Utah win their game after watching arch rival Ohio lose theirs. I have never watched so much football in one day in my entire life and felt only a little bit guilty.

Great Saturday... love, Opa

WARD QUORUM SUMMER PARTY

Our ward is a little unusual. It has many ex Mission Presidents, Stake Presidents and church leaders. They are well connected in the community and in the Church. This year our Quorum summer party was held at Kim G. ranch in Midway. Midway is whee people build Swiss chalets and the main event is "Swiss Days". Kim has this large ranch with a beautiful home and this was the site of the party. The picture shows a view from his porch. Elder Holland is his next door neighbor and also attended the gathering

There was barbecued steaks and chicken, jello salad with all the fixings. There was a Cowboy singing group that sounded a lot like the Sons of the Pioneers as they sang their favorite cowboy songs. It was great.

Elder Holland spoke for a while and mentioned several intersting things:

1. The Twelve and First Presidency will attend Stake Conferences only rarely breaking a long tradition. They will focus on regional conferences and that has already started here.

2. Missionary work: He mentioned that the complement of missionaries in non productive areas will be reduced and used Europe as an example. More missionaries will be sent to the more productive missions and although they will not remove missionaries, their numbers will be reduced. Our mission now has 130 missionaries as opposed to 160 - 170 that we had. I always thought we could obtain the same results with fewer missionaries. This is also necessary because the number of 19 year old men has also dropped.

3. He talked about the work in Africa which is ever growing. He described early attempts in now Rwanda. He mentioned in some areas, if missionaries stood on a street corner and announced that they had a religious message, 400 would gather within minutes. He mentioned the interval closing of a Nigerian Temple which is in the best neighborhood. This affluent area now is the center of kidnapping of Europeans. Security will be beefed up but he stated that the Temple itself was never the target of trouble.

It was interesting to note how up to date these men are with the current difficulties in the world. The church is growing worldwide. It was interesting to hear hims speak so fluently about world conditions and the growth of the church in an ever changing scene. These men are on top of the problems.

Spencer gets baptized soon and Josh gets his Eagle this Sunday.. lots of family stuff

Love, Dad

ILLEGAL, UNDERGROUND, UNANNOUNCED FAMILY REUNIONS

Dear Family,

Sometimes family reunions just happen and they are sometimes the best. Recently Cheryl decided to take her family back to Michigan for her 20th High School Reunion. Mom and I thought this would be a good time to go back and visit Mark and Mary, and Bryan and Kristina and their families. John heard about this and decided to come up from Florida by himself to see the crew. This is the Eastern part of our family. Jeff and Tammy decided this would be a good chance to see both sets of parents and they, in the last minute, drove 40 hours from Spokane to be at the mini gathering.

We stayed the first night at Mary's home in Bloomfield Hills. The photo shows the block she lives on near Wing Lake in Bloomfield Hills, MI. It is so beautiful there now with these old trees, large and spacious lawns and lots...memories just flooded back

We went to Leo's on Telegraph for dinner and I sent Suz down in Mexico City, a message on Facebook, that we were at her favorite eating place. She sent back a note wondering why she had not heard of this underground reunion. They just happen and mostly in the last minute.

Thursday we met at Walled Lake. It was so pretty with perfect weather. Cheryl and Paul and their eight kids showed up as did Jeff and Tammy and their kids. Bry's family came and John was there.. I think about 30 people and it was Heaven. Pizza all around and just the best time.

Here we see some of the gang at the Wing Lake picnic. There was swimming, eating and catching small fish.

Mary put up Paul and Cheryl and their eight kids at her house and we drove to the farm. Since Bryan purchased the farm, he has been hard at work to fix it up. It looked so great with his improvements. It is a constant battle with nature as there is so much moisture in Michigan, nature quickly;y takes over any piece of land.

Bryan has done such a great job of fixing up the farm, My job was to cut the field. It is not baled as there are no animals there anymore but it needs to be cut back so I bushwhacked the 20 acre field on the John Deere Tractor and it was fun.

While the work was going on, the grandkids were running all over the placewith ATV's, dune buggies, motorcycles and my old green machine. They had a blast and Cheryl's kids wondered when they could come back to Michigan again.

Then we had a party in the orchard. With each windstorm or tornado, trees are knocked over and there was a huge pile of fallen apple trees stacked in the middle of the orchard.

Here is the team, me on the John Deere, John in the Bobcat, Bry on the chainsaw and Jeff tossed the chunks and kept the chain saws sharp. John would take the Bobcat with the grappler attachment and pull the logs from the pile, hold them horizontally so Bry could cut them up. We made quick work of the pile.

Here is the log splitting crew where the grandkids, Scotty, Julius, Zander and Nicky put the logs on the splitter and stacked the wood.

Mom was in constant motion, deep cleaning the farm house and sorting our treasures stored in the barn,

Friends came to the farm on a visit. Here is a picture of Karen and Josh and their baby, Emily. Karen was a friend from Andover High School and helped one memorable time with picking up the bales of hay. She is now an endocrinologist and Josh is an anesthesiologist.. they are a great couple.

We went to church in the Bloomfield Hills ward, our ward of 23 years and it was moving to see everyone again. Monday it was back to the farm with more projects. This was one of the best underground family reunions we have had. The next offical reunion that we hope you can come to will be next July around the 4th as we celebrate our 50th anniversary. My goal is to make it there.

Alles Gute, Love, Dad

CHERYL AND PAUL SPEAK IN CHURCH

Dear Family,

Today we went to the Holladay ward to hear Cheryl and Paul speak in their service. We went and sat on a row with their eight kids and it kinda remined me of sitting on an entire row with 14 of our kids in the old days in Michigan.

Here is Paul Jr. and Anabelle with her five sisters on the row. Mom had to take little Jonathan out for a change.

Maybe this is a local thing but I notice that the kids come to Sacrament meeting pretty well sugared up from Primary. Several of the girls had sacks of Carmel pop corn; Emily Eva was given a container of M&M's and then the girls got into Johnny's supply of mini waffles. Before the meeting started, there was this intense feeding frenzy for a minute and Cheryl could hear cellophane wrappers opening even from the stand. I am sure one of these days we will hear a talk in conference about this. But I must say after a very brief sugar intake, the kids were quiet for the whole meeting.

Cheryl gave a very good talk on making your home more like the Temple and went through some of the steps to increase spirituality and simply a good feeling associated with a home where love is found. She called the night before and we discussed some points. It was one of her best talks and she discussed some of the day to day difficulties of keeping a home like the temple. I liked what I heard President Kimball say in a training meeting that the only time you raise your voice in a home is when the house is burning! I think a good home has a special spirit or a good feeling that one can sense simply by walking in.

Paul gave a fine talk on preparing to visit the temple. The steps we need to apply are well known. He discussed the inertia that has to be overcome to simply go. He encouraged everyone to try to go at least once a month.

We went over to their home after and had wheat waffles and sourdough bread. It was a fun visit. Sundays are so great and we love visiting with family.

We go to Michigan over the Labor Day holiday. Mom and I will stay at the farm. John is coming up from Florida and Paul and Cheryl and all their kids are coming as well. It is Cheryl's 20th High School reunion. Big barbecue at the farm on Saturday with Bryan and his family and Mary and her family too...like old times. I plan to cut the hayfield for total relaxation.

Alles Gute and love, Dad

DEDICATION OF THE OQUIRRH MOUNTAIN TEMPLE

Dear Family,

Sunday we attended the televised dedication of the Oquirrh Mountain Temple. The Oquirrh mountains are the chain of mountains west of the Salt Lake Valley and before the west side was so totally built up, our family used to live in Bennion, Utah, part of the Oquirrh stake. Now there are several stakes just in Bennion alone. The temple lies in the western part of the Salt Lake valley.

We had not been to a temple dedication since the dedication of the Detroit Temple located in Bloomfield Hills, MI just three mile from where we used to live. Rebeca and Paul were married in that temple and I used to work there as well.

The dedication was the ninth session and the final one that was broadcast to the stake centers. You had to have a Temple Recommend or a slip from the Bishop to get in. Ours was held in our stake center (also our ward house where we have had several missionary reunions). Two stakes were there and it was packed. Cheryl, Madeline and Paul Jr. went with us. There had been flooding in the basement so all the furniture was stacked in the cultural hall until the repairs were made. Cheryl spotted the large soft chairs used in the High Council room and she made a bee line for them. It was very comfortable!

It was a very moving and impressive service. Elder Zwick and Ballard among others spoke. Elder Zwick's construction firm had worked on the construction of our house in the past and he had paved the cement patio. Elder Ballard had lived in our ward as well.

President Monson gave a great address and all mentioned the sacredness of the Temple and the work done there. He was moved when he talked about the miracle of the Freiberg Temple in East Germany behind the Iron Curtain which he dedicated in 1985.

I remembered my own experience as a young missionary in Switzerland in 1955. The Swiss Temple had been dedicated and my companion and I were the first missionaries in Zolikofen, the little Dorf where the Swiss Temple , the first in Europe, was located. As Missionaries, we worked in the Temple on Saturdays as Ordinance Workers for the English and German sessions. I remember the great sacrifice of the European members who made the trip to the Temple. Those from East Germany had to leave one member of the family at home (as a hostage to the government so the entire family would not defect to the west). My companion had an uncle and his family come from Saxony in East Germany, for their Temple blessing but the oldest son had to remain at home. The faith of those members making their first trip to the Swiss Temple made a great and lasting impression.

So it was a very moving event and we were all grateful again for the blessings of the Temple. We are back working again in the Salt Lake Temple. Hope you all will have more of a chance to go.

Alles Gute and Love, Dad

STAYING POWER

Dear Family.

We have this great little place on Bear Lake. It is not exactly on the lake but very close. It is a rural home built in the 20's and is loaded with rural Idaho charm. We have not changed the house; it is great as it is.

The house does take a beating during some winters. Last year, the strong southern winds blew most of the asphalt shingles from the roof. We had to replace this with a steel roof. The winds were hard on the paint and the south side was almost stripped to the wood. Two of the boys decided they would paint the house for this years project. Roy and Alissa and their family were there for two seeks.

Douglas and his boys went up for a quick weekend and power sprayed the house in the rain and 45 degree weather. He could not start the priming. It became warm again and Roy an his boys put on a thick coat of primer. We drove up there and Roy decided he would paint the house further. The paint sprayer was called into action. Mom taped the windows and Roy sprayed on another coat of primer and then a coat of white paint. Her is Lexie helping by moving the ladder. The house will look great.

The kids maintain that the house has a certain "staying power". That is it weathers the storms and even as it might require a touch up here and there, there is something sturdy and lasting. We also weather storms in our lives and we constantly seek "staying power" and stability. This place has proven character! Try to follow its example.

Alles Gute, Dad