January 3, 2016
Re: Letter 55 of 3
Dear Riley:
The New Year came quietly for us. We bounced around to three parties throughout the evening and enjoyed association with family and friends. The evening celebrations started fairly early for us over at the F home. We had stayed in the home of AFM when we went to San Diego for our summer family trip and welcomed the opportunity to spend some time with them while they were visiting over the holiday break. We stayed a couple hours at the F’s then went over to G and G Parish’s home where another party was in full swing. Uncle M, Aunt S, & family were there along with J and A and their family. We enjoyed good food and conversation until a little before midnight. The kids watched Despicable Me while most of the adults sat upstairs and chatted. Your Mother had left earlier so Josie could sleep in her own bed, so I went home to usher in the New Year with her.
It’s been nice to have a holiday on two Fridays in a row followed by the regular weekend. As the break wound to an end, we decided we hadn’t really played much as a family, so took the afternoon yesterday for a Star Wars marathon. We watched episodes IV and V and had some good bonding. It was strange to consider that my three youngest had never seen what was a cultural rite of passage in my youth. All told it was an enjoyable evening; though I must admit I dozed off a couple times during what was once considered riveting entertainment.
The weather has been what one might expect for late December and early January, but I really prefer the warmer weather. Since we’ve had numerous nights in single digits and a run of days where the highs never broke the lower teens, the occasional day in the mid 30’s seems almost balmy. I can’t help but wonder how my bees are getting along. However, considering the cold, I’ve resisted the urge to open the hive long enough to check on them. One thing I’ve been doing on a regular basis is clearing the dead bees away from the inside of the now restricted entrance. The sheer mass of dead bees was truly alarming until I learned that this is normal. They still respond when I tap the side of the hive, so it would seem I still have a viable colony. The first part of my flow hive arrived two weeks ago and I’m looking forward to getting the rest and installing it in early spring.
Cambry and C are getting along well and we’ve seen a lot of him over the break. He made a book shelf for Cambry’s already sizable collection of literature and delivered it the day after Christmas. Cambry gave C a book of duets they can sing together. Sadly, the water from the Christmas tree somehow escaped the reservoir and ruined the book. We’ll replace it of course, but it was as much as we paid for the tree. They make a great couple and even sound great singing together. Christmas evening, they gave us a little concert over at Grandma’s house. It was beautiful and impressive especially since it was spontaneous and unrehearsed. Cambry’s blessing at the beginning of the school year actually said her days in the months ahead would be filled with music, and it’s sweet to see a literal fulfillment of the words spoken. They’re so happy together and there’s an unofficial wedding reception plan already underway.
We’re on the 1:00 PM schedule for church now which has some advantages, though it does make for a long day. We had a full meeting today, which may be evidence of the later schedule being much more conducive to the elderly. I found myself with an hour before church and no demands on my time. Following church it felt weird to leave before the financial clerks. I suppose it will take a few weeks before everyone figures out when I’m available. At any rate, the day seemed pretty open and I felt I had more family time.
Tomorrow it’s back to the grind. The kids are gearing up to go back to school, and your mother is gearing up to take the house back. Honestly, when it’s cold outside we’re seriously outnumbered trying to maintain some semblance of order in the home.
We really enjoyed the last batch of pictures. Your new area is beautiful and I hope you’re experience there is everything you hope it to be. How cool to learn that one of the people you invited in your last area was baptized. You never know what seeds you plant will eventually sprout and bear fruit. Happy New Year. Keep up the good work! We pray for your success and safety daily. Till next time…
Love,
Dad
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