January 13, 2015

         The Freeman &Ada Jepsen Christmas party of their descendents took place at the family farm over the holidays. JoAnn an Kevin Auger and family are in the area of Woodland Hills, UT. Dan and Jean and their bunch are in Bountiful, UT. Glen and Betty Jo Jepsen family have their headquarters here in Mink Creek. Melinda and Kerry Jepsen hosted the event. Kyle Jepsen took a break from his dental practice in Texas, Jana Musgrove and her children of North Ogden enjoyed the extended family fun.

          Payton and Judith Newby have a brand new baby at their house. Grandma, Sharla McKay, spent a few days enjoying some good cuddle time.

           Brittany and Matt Durrant and their little girl visited with her parents, Eldon and Danita Wilcox.  Matt is currently studying at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City.

           Karen and Mark Arnout had a home bursting at the seams during the two weeks of holidays. The couple have twenty-two grandchildren and all of them, plus parents, spent a few days with Grandma and Grandpa Arnout. Now the Arnouts are noticing the quiet at their house.

           Johnny and Jeannine Iverson have had a visit from daughter Rebeccah and Dane Jones and their four children from Washougal, WA. They loved some snow time, a change from the rainy northwest.

           Our community gathered for our annual Ski Party at Beaver Ski Resort up Logan Canyon. The event combined with the folks from Preston 4^th Ward. It is always a potluck affair for the food offerings and the variety never fails. There was a good turnout of all ages and the slopes were filled with skiers and snowboarders until it was closing time.

           Bill and Myrna Despain were happy to have his son Max and Jennifer Despain and theis children, Jordan and Jake, with them during the holidays. Max and Jennifer live in Lolo, MT.

           Mink Creek seems to be located on the edge of the northern Cache Valley fog line lately.  Most days we can look westward and see the fog lying in the lower parts of the valley, tendrils reaching in and out on the fringes.  This morning was a bit strange, with fog on the lower side of my home, but clear sky on the upper side.  (For readers unfamiliar with our local terrain, it is all slopes of one degree or another, the homes sitting on the slopes.)  One evening earlier this past week, it was fog all around, couldn't even see our farm buildings across the road.  That is the story of fog, ever changing, and one of the dangers that accompany moving through the stuff.  Please, drivers, turn on your lights when you find yourself surrounded by the stuff, whether thick or thin.

           We are still hoping for more snow.  Rain has been coming, but that doesn't store in the mountains for the times when it is needed this planting season.  At this rate we can't anticipate a "January thaw" since there is very little for thawing.