On the fourth day of Christmas . . .

. . . Grant and I went to our stake institute class where we serve as a missionary couple. It was not our week to provide the munch & mingle so we just enjoyed the class and helped the Starks serve the pizza they brought.

On the third day of Christmas . . .

. . . I got to go to work again and then to my family history class.

On the second day of Christmas . . .

. . . I got to go to work. I love the people I work with. It's a great environment. And then I sewed another Christmas present. 5 more to sew.

On the first day of Christmas . . .

. . . it was the D.U.P. (Daughters of the Utah Pioneers) Utah North Company Christmas party. There was entertainment and then a lunch catered by the Zarbocks.

That afternoon Em and I were helpers at the Festival of Trees.

Festival of Trees!

Em & I were on a committee for the Festival of Trees this year.

Our assignment was to make blues clues heads stuffed with candy to sell

in the small fry area and some items to sell in the gift boutique. Plus on Monday night we went to be helpers to the tree decorators.

The most amazing tree this year was this one made of handblown glass.

It was pretty neat to watch them put this tree together. It sold for $26,000!

I had to take pictures of this lacrosse tree for Jeremy & Jamie. The sign says "If I knew my kid liked to be hit with sticks I would have started years ago."
This sign says "Blood, sweat, sticks, LACROSSE, We don't take cry babies."

This tree came with all of the American Girl dolls! Some little girl's dream come true!
Or some little girl's mom's dream come true :c)

We had free tickets to opening night and the lighting ceremony.

It was fun to be a part of such a great event. It was fun to watch the decorators at work and get to know them and hear the stories behind their trees. Every tree had hours and hours of planning and work behind it not to mention the $$$ We were able to meet some really neat people. It's amazing what a wonderful event this is to raise money for Primary Childrens Hospital. Let's do it again next year!

SEW MUCH FUN!!!

Last week was the Utah Valley Quilt Guild Aspen Grove Retreat! This is the lodge where we stayed. Imagine 50 fun and talented ladies sewing together in the great big room where the big windows are. The flakestorm added beauty to the atmosphere. I still avoid the word snow because if we said that word (or piecing or applique which is really tough at a quilt retreat) someone could take away our safety pin. It was 4 days of sewing . . .

and classes . . .
and games . . .
and dining on delicious catered meals . . .
and making lots of Christmas stockings for the women's & children's shelter . . .

and lots and lots of show and tell.

My good friend & roommate Donna didn't expect her mission call to come but her husband called on Wednesday and said, "Guess what came in the mail!" He drove all the way up so they could open it together -- Texas Houston! We both got a blueberry cream cake quilt top done plus Donna finished this cute baby quilt to give to someone on her mission who needs it.My 2nd quilt top needs 3 more borders added and then I'll post a picture.

The whole retreat was SEW MUCH FUN!!!! Can't wait 'til next year!

MADC Fall Friendship Luncheon!

November means it's time for the 3rd annual Utah Madame Alexander Doll Collectors Club luncheon! This is the cute centerpiece doll. There were only 6 of them so they drew names -- Ruth was lucky enough to be one of the 6 chosen who could buy her.

We ate the yummy lunch, played the bingo (nobody on our table won), agonized through the silent auction results (Ruth was lucky enough to get a doll -- it was her lucky day!) and then finally it was time for us each to open our box and meet our new doll. She's SO cute!What a fun day. These luncheons are held all over the country. This is the third year in a row it has been held in Utah, and we're hoping it will be here again next year. It's really fun to go to this with my sisters and friends -- and to get a new doll, of course.

Thanks to Melissa's comment I decided I needed to add a picture of the new doll so here she is. She came with a basket containing sunflowers and her jug of cider. Gotta love her.