It has been a dry Christmas, with only a skiff of snow. Great for those who received wheels for gifts, not so good for those gifts needing snowfall to grant some action. Gifts from neighbors and friends have been showing up, often unannounced, at homes up and down our community. Goodies galore! Calories uncounted!
A Nauvoo Christmas was the theme for a Relief Society breakfast, a December activity, greeting the rising sun together at the LDS Meetinghouse. Food and decorations were assembled by Debbie Heaton, Betty Jo Jepsen, Melinda Jepsen, Margaret Iverson and Dixie Rasmussen. There were pioneer artifacts, pictures of Nauvoo scenes and pioneer families with beautiful quilts decorating the serving tables. A program of much variety was under the direction of Tammy Coleman. There were 15 narrators, music from piano, violin, trumpet, voices, including some group singing from all in attendance.
Debbie and Jim Harrison and his mother came up form St. George to enjoy a Mink Creek Christmas. Coolness and a good sprinkling of snow made it feel right.
The family of Kent and Tammy Beardall traveled to Grand Junction, CO, to enjoy holidays with Michelle and Gary Wall and their son. Their son Shawn and his family drove up from Spanish Fork, UT, to share in the festivities. That makes four small cousins causing smiles for the older set.
The family of Sandra and John Cude were here for a dual purpose. The holidays, but also to witness the baptism and confirmation of Sandra as the newest member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the LDS Ward at Mink Creek. Besides their daughter, Toni Parent, Debbie Robinson, of Layton, UT, and Johanne Holmes of Plain City, UT, drove up for the event.
Austin and Kathy Jones enjoyed having two of their flock home for Christmas. Joseph and Becca Jones came up from Riverton, UT, where Joseph is now assistant manager of the Target department store. Kayleen and Spencer Johnson drove from Provo, taking a good break from studies at BYU.
Bob and Claudia Erickson spent a whole week at the home of Claudine and LaMar McKague in Vancouver, WA. The occasion was a wedding for Bailey and Chandler Collins in the Portland Temple. Bailey is the eldest of the Jay and Kristin Collins family who live in Lakeview, OR, of course that family was on site as well. Another Erickson daughter, Carla Nielsen, came up from American Fork, UT. The rainy weather of the northwest winters held off long enough for a lovely day.
The home of Mary Jean and Larry Rasmussen rang with laughter and fun with the arrival of a two year old grandson(will be three next month). Little William Rasmussen entertained the whole household. He is the son of JR and Elaine Rasmussen, now living in Riverdale, UT, where William keeps things on the move when they are at home.
