And yet another birthday and other cool happenings

Happy Birthday Darren! Today is your day. He had a pretty rude surprise though. I am sure Christie will write about it (if we can ever get her to blog again!), but something got into his chicken coup last night and killed 6 of his chickens. Whatever it was, it was big. So that didn't start his day very well. Hopefully the rest of the day will be better. They had their primary program today and that was great. I was sitting by Zack before they went up after the Sacrament and he was so proud to show me his little hymn book with his name on it. He put the page marker in before we sang the songs. But the thing that touched me was that he followed the words and sang all the songs in a clear sweet voice. I just love that. It seems so hard for kids to start and keep singing when they are little and in their teenage years (maybe it was just mine that were stubborn) but that made me happy for him to sing. Friday night we had the fantastic experience of going to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas concert. One of the ladies I work with happened to get a couple of extra tickets and offered them to me. Being the homebody I am lately, I hesitated but knew I would regret it if we didn't go. Then I again wondered if I had made the right decision because traffic was so bad and dad was very impatient and drove like--well you all know. We had left at 5:40 and had to be in our seats by 7:00, so I thought we were in good shape, but traffic is a race to dad. So after many silent prayers we made it and found the parking lot and had a rapid walk to the conference center. Dad did so well, he kept up with me and you all know I walk fast, especially when I am cold. We got to our seats and saw the beautiful stage and I was so glad we were there. Then, this fantastic orchestra, and the fantastic choir--well it was so awesome. They also had a guest---Brian Stokes Mitchell--I hadn't ever heard of him, but his voice was so good and he was so gracious, that it was pretty much a perfect evening. When the choir started the Hallelujah chorus, everyone just rose to their feet, and then the closing number--Gloria--it was very moving. I wish you all could have been there. I love music! Dad said that was the most Christmas thing we have done all year. The Lamoreaux Christmas party was on Saturday and it was so good to visit with everyone. Not to mention the great food. Margo had hosted the work Christmas party on Thursday and everyone was amazed at all she did and the delicious spread she put on, then she turned around and did Saturday for us. It was sad that not many of our family could come this year. Only Darren and Christie came. Dad went and got some of the kids because their van is broken. We had to laugh at Lucy though. She was walking behind dad then started to mimic his walk. Grandpa looked at her and said, "Lucy, I don't walk like that" to which she replied, "Grandpa, you don't walk, you waddle!" He got good laugh--especially with all the gait training they have been trying to do with him. I knew you would all love seeing pictures. Jane and Russell came with Jackie and their 3, Josh's 2 and Susette's 3 girls. (Susette's twins are doing great by the way. The little boy--Gabrielle, I think is almost 8 lbs now) Carolyn and Drake are brand new grandparents. Kevin and Erin had a baby boy last week. Allyson, Neil and Gennie--Allyson has only one more semester of school before she graduates Tom had to come by himself this year Pam and Rick's family. Pam always puts me to shame in the grandma department--she had her annual sleepover for the grand kids on Friday. We ran into each other at Macey's earlier in the day and her shopping cart was filled with food for them. We missed Jason & Sarinah and their oldest, Jeff & Penny, and Travis. (If you haven't seen their family picture, check it out on Amanda's blog--it is so fun) Megan and Dave and cute Tyler I didn't catch up to Jim and Margo together--they were so busy entertaining and doing what they do best so I got them and the girls separate. Phillip didn't make it either. Isn't Margo a cute grandma? The girls are so cute! Christie had the best time visiting with them during dinner. They told her about their dates, etc (not Corry of course!) Jim and Margo had to spend a lot of their time on the floor fixing the train. The kids loved it. Especially JD. He had to tell Jim all about it. It was such a nice evening. Wish you all could have been there. We so appreciate Jim and Margo for doing this every year. Otherwise we may not see each other. John is in his final week of school! Yeah! Kim and Daniel are coming the end of the week I think. Kristy has been really sick with a bad sore throat, fever and everything that goes with that, so hope she is better soon. Hope everyone else is doing great! Have a great week! Much love!