An exciting event for our family was a reception held Friday, December 7, at the Rio Grande building honoring the Utah Arts’ Council “Emerging Artists Award” winners. Marc won the award for film! I teased him about his “major award,” hoping that he’d win a leg lamp (from “A Christmas Story” for those who are lost). Sadly, that was not one of the prizes. The evening was a lot of fun. The Rio Grande gallery was set up with sections for each artist. Marc had his film playing while people strolled through the gallery. We could tell that most people who watched it really enjoyed it, but there was one couple who watched it all the way through three or four times. They laughed hysterically all the way through it! We all enjoyed watching them enjoying it! Ryan was given the job of keeping the free copies of the DVD stocked in the bin on the wall. He did a great job!
Friday, December 14, we went to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas concert. Every year they invite special guests – always well-known musicians. This year was The King’s Singers. It was amazing! For most events in the Conference Center, tickets are just for a particular section, not assigned seats. They usually open the doors between 60 and 90 minutes before the event, and seats are on a first come basis. We got there about an hour early and got some great seats. I took a notepad and colored pencils for Ryan to draw while we waited. The Conference Center holds something like 22,000 people. It was pretty loud with people talking until about 7:15, when everything went absolutely silent. Having been in the Conference Center for General Conference, etc. before, we knew what that silence meant. We looked to the side door, and President Hinckley, President Monson and his wife, and President Eyring and his wife were entering. Ryan LOVES President Hinckley, and always asks me to lift him up so he can see him (I’m not going to be able to do that much longer!).The concert was wonderful. The King’s Singers are so talented. There were some very powerful musical numbers with them as the lead and the choir in the background. Lloyd Newell made a short announcement before the concert began that it was the one being recorded for the CD and DVD, so it will be fun to purchase it next year, knowing it is the one we attended.
As we were sitting waiting for the concert to begin, Ryan was wiggling a loose tooth. (Please refer back to March and June – Ryan has a fascination with pulling his teeth on important days or in unique places.) Of course, with a tooth that loose, he couldn’t resist. He worked on it the hour before the concert, and pulled it out about 3 minutes before the concert started! He showed the grandparent-couple next to us, the family behind us, and the family in front of us. It was hilarious. He actually asked if he could go and tell President Hinckley. He was very disappointed that he couldn’t.
After the concert, we walked through Temple Square and the Main Street Plaza and looked at the lights. It was about 20 degrees, but it was a lot of fun. It’s always so beautiful that it’s easy to forget how cold it is.Christmas time also means it's time for potica! Potica is the Polish nut bread that the Cieluszak family (and other Polocks) have been making for generations. The grandkids used to love helping Grandma Jensen grind the walnuts and "pound" the dough. Now Mom and Aunt Dott lead the all-day potica-making marathon. Here are Mom and Frances rolling everything up before swirling it into the pan. I have taken on the responsibility of ordering the "Kronskis" (Polish sausages) for the whole family since Auntie-Anne died. I have done my part, so we are set for breakfast for the month of December!
Saturday, December 15, was Mom and Dad's annual "Orchard Place" open house. Ryan and I have become such good friends with so many of their neighbors, that we always join them. We have a great time visiting with all of our friends in that neighborhood.Ryan is still enjoying creating art projects in different ways. Here is the "Winter Masterpiece" created by my little artist in MS Paint:
Marc and Frances spent the week of Christmas in New York City with Frances’ family. Her grandparents are serving a mission in the Manhattan Temple, and it is their 50th wedding anniversary the week of Christmas. The whole family traveled to New York to be together for the celebration of that wonderful milestone. Since Marc and Frances weren’t in Utah for Christmas, the Inman family had our celebration together for Family Home Evening on Monday, December 17. It was fun to have dinner together, exchange presents, and just hang out and have fun together. Most of us gave each other gifts relating to our upcoming return to Hawaii. It’s always fun when we have a family trip planned – we always give each other stuff relating to the trip.
As you can see from the above pictures, we have a new addition to the family – Max. (Gee, BYU fans, who could he possibly be named after?) Ryan has been asking for a little sister for quite a while. Since that obviously isn’t happening anytime soon, I caved and agreed to the other thing he has wanted for a long time - a Build-A-Bear. I’m somewhat embarrassed to say that Max has really become a real member of the family; he and Ryan received matching Christmas Eve pajamas and Miami Dolphins jerseys (I know – I’ve gone too far.)My friend, Julee, sent me a pretty funny e-card from her family this year. I went to the site and made a few adjustments. Here it is for your viewing pleasure.
http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1168499620
As we look around our living room at the nativities that we’ve collected over the years, we are constantly reminded of the true meaning of Christmas. We are grateful for the birth, the life, and the atoning sacrifice of our Savior, and wish you all the love, light, and peace that He brings to our lives.
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