Hey everyone!

Hi so I'm up in Alaska right now and I'm not really sure if everyone got this but my blog site is talesofajrmusher.blogspot.com. It mostly has a bunch of picture and possibly videos in the near future of my many mushing adventures! :) love you all!!

Twelve years late, we have finally decided to dip our toes into the 21st century by attempting to compose our first blog on the Grandpa Garold Herald. Many thanks, by the way, to Doni for the idea of a family blog, to Caitlin for setting it up, and to Gwen for teaching me how to use it. The photo above shows the wreath we have on the front gate. We didn't have the traditional White Christmas in Provo this year. Instead we had the traditional Oregon White Christmas--a heavy fog (not inversion) which left an icing on everything.

We bought a tree and Meri, Will and Gwen came down to help us decorate it. We think it is the most beautiful one we have had (see above. I can't figure out how to insert the photos where I want them. They all appear at the top and won't move--any suggestions?). Actually, Will was sick, so he lay on the couch and commented on our work. We put on some Christmas music as we work, but not Joan Baez's Christmas album, which was the standard when Doni, Bill and Jeff were the ages of Meri, Will and Gwen. Then Grandpa, Meri, and Emma watched "The Christmas Carol" and Will and I read stories.

On Monday, the 12th, we invited some of friends who were part of a group that always met with Kitty and Leslie Norris over: the Keeles, Britsch, Bennion, Jones, Brian Kershisnik, Brownings. The Tates were out of town. I made a lot of finger foods, we surprised them by playing a cd we have of Leslie reading some of his biography and a few of his Christmas poems.

The next Monday, the 19th, we hosted an open house from 6-9 p.m. for the families of all our neighbors on our block of Oak Lane, as well as a few others whose yards border our back yard, and the families we contact as visiting teachers for Relief Society or Home Teachers. 85 people came by during the evening to see the nativity we made, drink mulled cider and eat cookies (well, bar cookies I ordered from BYU take out) and just visit with one another. It was a lot of fun.

Christmas Eve Erik, Sarah and family came over for dinner. Instead of the usual turkey, I had a standing rib roast, mashed potatoes and gravy, and carrots. Sarah brought her usual wonderful rolls and a gorgeous and scrumptious English trifle. (see above) We also listened to some of the Leslie Norris cd.

Since Christmas was on Sunday and our ward meets at 9:00 a.m., Grandpa and I didn't open presents until after we had dinner. (yummy left overs from the night before). We had great telephone calls from Chantry and from Bill, Annika and Mia. We opened all our presents except those from Erik's family. It was their turn to eat at Sarah's folks' house, but they came over that evening so we opened those presents plus the presents we gave them. Henry's friend, Mimi (Rosie Anderson Stevenson's daughter--Richard and Karma Anderson's granddaughter--some of the parents will know who these people are) came with them. After presents, we watched one of my presents--a Fred Astair/Ginger Rogers film: "Swing Time."

Monday, Betty and Art came down on their way to Ajo, Arizona where they will stay for the next three months. We had a good visit with them. They left this morning for Ajo.

So that is our contribution to the 21st Century Grandpa Garold Herald . We love you all and wish you a happy new year--one we hopes includes everyone coming to Chantry's wedding in Las Vegas March 10.

Orcas Island Photos from the Archives

I was looking through old pictures on our computer when I happened upon these ones from Orcas Island.  Naturally most were of us Erik/Sarah and family people, but these are a few gems.

The split-second William stopped moving, immortalized in a digital photo.

This is my personal favorite.  We are all SO stylish.  

Annika's other blog

If you want a semi-thorough look at my goings on, feel free to follow my blog: Lost Mittens.

Choir!

Here's a picture of my school choir. I'm in the front row on the far left.

BYU Women's Studies Journal

Fellow Family Feminists,

I am applying to be the Head Artistic Director of the new BYU Women's Studies Journal. Exciting! On the application (due Monday) there is a spot to write and idea for a new name for the journal. Do you have a good idea for a name for the journal? Help me brainstorm! I doubt that this part of the application will affect their decision whether or not to appoint me as Head of the artistic team, but I want to come off as creative and clever. :) Leave comments below if you have ideas you would like to contribute. I'll let you know if I get the/a position.


Thanks!

Caitlin

Welcome to The Grandpa Garold Harold (2.0)!

Welcome, family!

You should be receiving email invitations to be authors on the blog. So start posting! We want to see what you're doing! Put up pictures, thoughts, anything! If I miss someone's email address please let me know.

Also, you can follow the blog to be updated about new posts. Click the "Follow" button on the bottom of the sidebar. --> Or maybe it says "Join this site."

Love you all!

Caitlin