The ward Christmas party was last weekend. I suppose we all get a turn, and this year it was Abe and my's turn to be in charge. I think it turned out pretty well, but it's hard to say. The party isn't really too much fun to for the people in charge-- although, I will say we had marvelous people helping out and we could not have done it without them. So many people were willing to pitch in, and help out, and make it happen.
I can't take much credit for the decorating, but I thought it looked so lovely.
We attempted a little Nativity pageant that was very simple and sweet. I was impressed with the shepherd's and wise men's efforts at holding still and being reverent. Primary kids for the win!
The Angel Gabriel appears to Mary.
And to Joseph in a dream..
I still remember getting to be an angel in a Nativity when I was a very young girls. Hopefully, these little angels will have fond memories as well.
Santa made a visit at the end. I love it when Santa comes to the ward Christmas party-- saves me a trip to the mall. I avoid the mall like the plague.
Greta was quite taken with Santa.
She was very talkative.
They are so funny! These four have been such fun to watch grow up and with the announcement that boys can be ordained in January of the year they turn twelve, they will all become deacons together in just over a year. This is going to be fun!
I do like planning things with Abe. He's good with details and he likes to make things nice for everyone.
Shout out to Elinor who happily took care of Greta all evening while Abe and I were busy helping with dinner and the program. She's pretty great.
Sunday evening was the annual Fox Family Christmas party. Left to right, Stuart, Daniel, Marjorie, Phil, and Abe. These are the Utah Fox siblings. A Fox family gathering is always loud and somewhat chaotic, but it's so enjoyable. We love being together.
My sisters-in-law are the best!
And I'd just like to say that my selfie shots are getting better!
Everett, Els, and Gentri-- three of my favorites.
Peter quite "entertained" the masses with his charmingly domineering spirit.
Give me strength.. and patience for the years to come.
We all brought appetizers to share and they were tasty vittles.
So loud, so much laughter. Just what a family gathering ought to be.
Some of the littles-- Phoebe, George, Brigham, Peter, and J.J.
I do like to think that Clark may be home for a gathering next year!
Abe and his daughters. But the real focus of this picture is the mirror. Abe recognized it from his childhood home growing up and was "concerned" that it had ended up in his sister's home. Kidding. Not kidding.
She fell asleep on the way to the party. And she is perfect. The end.
Thursday December 6, 2018 was a very good night for Bethany. She had her senior violin recital at St. Margaret's Chapel at Rowland Hall downtown. She played the first movement of Mendelssohn's Concerto in E . She has been working on this piece for over a year and she was very happy with her performance.
This performance represented years and years of hard work and sacrifice and to see her and hear her play so beautifully was immensely rewarding. Abe and I were amazed by her. Throughout the evening I kept picturing her in my mind as a young girl just beginning violin. In some ways it has been a long road, but in other ways, the journey has past so quickly. There were definitely tears on my part even when she wasn't the one playing.
I will treasure this picture for the rest of my life. She's on her own for practicing these days and has been for a while, but for many years, I would help her with her practicing. She made my world, when she told me that the night before the recital she prayed so much that she would perform her piece well for me and she dedicated her performance to me. Whatever she decides to do or not do with violin in the future, this journey of watching her and helping progressing in music has been a joy and a privilege.
She was so so happy to have the support of so many family and friends who came to hear her play.
She was a little embarrassed that I had invited them, but what are moms for, if not to make you practice and embarrass you every now and then.
Grandma and Grandpa Cannon were pretty proud of their talented granddaughter!
Bethany and Rachel have been friends since they were six. Rachel is a seriously fast swimmer and Bethany is a seriously good violinist. It's been so wonderful to watch them grow up.
The lighting wasn't great in the chapel:(
While waiting to leave we came upon this scene in the library across the hall. Cameron in a sweater, in a rocking chair, reading stories to the wee ones. It was unexpected and hilarious.
I didn't get a picture of the Arctic Circle treat time afterwards, but it was great fun.
On the way home, Bethany was on cloud nine-- so happy with how the evening had gone and the friends who had come out to hear her.
But when she got home, even more good news awaited her. Back in October she applied for an sent in an audition video to be a Young Performing Mission in Nauvoo, IL this summer. It involved singing, dancing, a monologue, and some fiddling on her violin. All of her favorite things! To be selected would be a dream come true, but out of 300-400 applicants, they only take about 25. Around 50 make it to call backs for the next round of auditions.
She figured her chances of making it might be slim, but she went for it.
Well, the night of the recital, she got an email saying SHE MADE CALL BACKS! She was so excited. All day on January 5th are call backs in Salt Lake. Pretty exciting for her.
My students' piano recital was a couple weeks back and they all played beautifully and I'm sure we're all happy it's over!
The Fox kids who played in the recital.
Faith played "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing". She did a great job, but then she played it in Sacrament meeting last Sunday and it was even better. She worked really hard on this piece.
Cannon played "March" from The Nutcracker.
George played "Pat-a-Pan".
The CHUMS
It was cute Mia's birthday-- it sort of stinks to have to play at a recital on your birthday, but we all sang "Happy Birthday" to her and she played beautifully.
Corrine took such good care of Greta and entertained her all during the recital. Love that girl.
We had our traditional trip to Arctic Circle after the recital. The young ladies.
We planned a date to go shooting with the Schramms. I've never been shooting. I've never fired an actual fire weapon. I'm quite nervous.
When last I wrote, I mentioned how wonderful they are. Nothing has changed.
Moving on.
The younger kids taking over the D&D room-- younger siblings of the originals. I have no idea why Cannon is holding up a construction paper heart. I'm not sure he knows why.
The current "older" D&D gang.
Wrapped in her "Fuzzy"-- what she calls her favorite blanket.
Like every other child in this family, except even more so, Greta lives on the kitchen counter. It's her perch. She plays there, dances there, eats there. She likes to be in the middle of all the action
Cute, happy, early morning swimmers.
Too much fun at an escape room with friends. We were victorious!
I was the lucky one who got to be handcuffs.
Somebody was happy to see her sister--
Greta was pretty happy too.
Peter relaxing at a swim meet.
We celebrate moments when Peter is relaxing.
I can't take much credit for the decorating, but I thought it looked so lovely.
