Snow and Hardware Ranch

The new year started off with one snow storm after another. Generally it was good powder snow but a couple of times it was wet and heavy.

The mountains really got a lot more snow than we did in the valley but we still had more snow than we have has for several years.

For Martin Luther King holiday we went up to Hardware Ranch. It was a good break and we actually got out of the inversion that settled in with all the cold temperatures and snow to see some nice blue skies. The kids had fun sliding on their coats while we waited in line for our turn to ride the sleighs.

It was not too long of a line and soon we were off to see the elk.

Aubrey got so excited looking at them she could hardly stand it. No really she was.

After the sleigh ride it was time to head back home but we did see a couple of moose on our way down the canyon to Hyrum.

New Years Eve

During the week between Christmas and New Years there was some more snow that made the mountains so pretty. A subdivision is being planned in the field to the north of us and these types of views may be a thing of the past next year so I ought to record them while I can.

We celebrated New Years at our home also and while the group was not as large as Christmas it was still a good group. We had dinner and then played games until it got close to midnight. There was a lot of laughing and fun.

We then watched the clock strike twelve and welcomed in the new year with our noise makers and fire works.

 
While everyone else had gone to see the lights in Ogden before Christmas, Cindy and I had not so we went on our own one night. A nice cold night but it was pretty.

Christmas

Cindy was spending the month of December  working to strengthen her knee. Twice a week all month long she was in therapy and made great improvements each time.

The picture below is what the artificial knee looks like.

Once the concerts were done it was now time for the family activities before Christmas. We first had a Montgomery party at Mom and Dad's house in the afternoon of the 24th.

 Tyson is telling Maddie what he wants for Christmas.














We then had the Jennings Christmas program at our house that evening. We figured we had over 45 people in the house and we all fit. We had dinner first and then it was the program.

We started with some talents and Payton and Connor played the piano. 

 It was then the chimes, songs, pinata, all the regular activities and the Christmas pageant.  The next morning was Sunday morning and Christmas day. Since church was later in the day we had our normal activities of watching Maddie come down the stairs and be surprised.

The girls in their moose pajamas and our cute Christmas tree in a new old location.

Maddie happy with her stocking stuffers.

There were also gifts for Cindy besides her new knee. 

It snowed early on the 25th so we also had a white Christmas. 

It was a wonderful day and we had an evening meal with family to end a great Christmas.

December activities

We went to three different concerts during the month of December. The first one was just Cindy and myself. We went to  Layton High and saw David Archuleta and Nathan Pacheco. It was a wonderful concert and each has a great gift. What a great way to start the Christmas season with great music.

The following week we went to the Voice Male at Weber State. This has been an annual tradition with Cindy, Maddie and myself. We took Cindy's sister Nancy with us this year as we had an extra ticket and Maddie did not have anyone who could come with her.  Of course they have a mixture of powerful spiritual songs plus traditional fun songs. This is the Rubber Ducky song with the ducks being thrown on stage while they sing.
















The next evening was the annual family dinner at the Lion House in Salt Lake. We waited out in the cold. Two days earlier it was in the 50's and this night it was in the teens. Yes Nancy is with us for this concert also.

Once we got in it was a wonderful meal and then it was off to see the lights at Temple Square.

After seeing the lights it was off to the Kurt Bestor concert.

 This year it was at the new Eccles performing arts center. What an amazing place and the concert was really one of the best. We were pretty high up but had no idea how this place was since it had just opened. Cindy did great walking around Salt Lake two and a half weeks after having her knee replaced.

Payton's Baptism

Payton turned 8 and her baptism was scheduled for December 10. She had been looking forward to this date for a long time and was so excited. Hers was the only baptism that day which made it extra special. Cindy spoke along with Payton's other grandma, grandma Rich. Trying to get everyone rounded up for a picture afterwards was difficult.

We finally did it  but not quite.

One more time and we got everyone  in a group who was there to celebrate Payton's special day.