Vantage Point

Richard and I went to see the new movie, Vantage Point, today. Tiffany saw it a few days ago in Illinois and liked it because it was so intense and exciting, so we thought we'd go see it. And, yes, it's quite the exciting movie! It has a lot of twists and turns that you don't expect, so it keeps you on the edge of your seat the whole time. Good thing it's only about 1 hr. and 20 min. long because your heart couldn't take it much longer! After the movie, we went and picked up a couple of fish filet sandwiches from McDonald's. They were very good, as always; unlike the fish sandwiches we got at Wendy's the other night which weren't good at all. We probably "caught" that Wendy's on a bad night, or something; but I've never had a bad fish sandwich at McDonald's. So they have my vote.

For FHE tonight we watched the Pratt Brothers DVD which our friend, Mark Rowe, gave to Steven. Mark is a descendant of William Pratt, and he knows that Steven is a descendant of Parley P. Pratt, so he gave Steven one of the DVD's that he'd been able to get through the Pratt Family organization. We watched the "Ancestor" part and the "Parley" part, which were both very interesting. Susan Easton Black is one of the commentators about Parley, so that made it all the more interesting to us. She knows a lot about Parley, as she does about a myriad of other things, as well.

Tonight Karalie is having a "head shaving" party up in Salt Lake with some of her friends. She was hoping to have enough hair left to shave off for the party. They were planning to have some good food and presents (which I imagine would be head coverings, etc.). So we hope they all have a good time. One thing about Karalie, which I'm sure is helping her, is that she is trying to maintain a positive attitude about everything she's going through right now. That's bound to be helpful. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Karalie.

Dinner with Greg and His Family

Tiffany and Greg had a full day today trying to fit all their visits and activities in. First they went to BYU to drop in on a few people, then over to Sis. Black's to get her "approval" of Greg. Can't do anything without Sis. Black weighing in. One day a few years ago when Tiffany was working for Sis. Black, they were walking across campus and visiting. Sis. Black said to Tiff, "I hope you won't marry Gabe (a fellow Tiffany worked with on the Winter Quarters project). If you do, I won't give you a wedding present." Tiffany told her she didn't need to worry about that. Then when Tiffany left to go away for work and school, Sis. Black said, "You'll probably go back there and find someone tall, dark and handsome and get married." So she was a pretty good predictor it seems. After visiting with Sis. Black, they went to see National Treasure 2 and then over to the T's for a visit. Then it was time for dinner here with Greg's mom, his brother Scott, Scott's wife Laura, and the Barrett gang. It was a pretty good house full. For dinner we had sloppy joes, potato salad, chips and yummy veggies from Lindy. It was a fun evening getting to know Greg and his family better. Richard was at work, so we missed him. After dinner, Greg wanted to visit with Steven (about what, I wonder?), and Steven suggested that we all four sit down in the living room for a visit. That's when Greg said that he would like to marry Tiffany and would we approve? We told him that we thought it would be great if that's what Tiffany wanted and she said it was. So, things seem to be heading towards "official." After our visit, Tiffany and Greg left to go visit with Blake Roney, who is a friend of the Bowles' family. I think they've gotten in plenty of visiting for one day!

F Family Christmas Party

Last night (Saturday) was the F Family Christmas party at the clubhouse at Dennis'. It was especially fun this year because Mom and Dick were able to come. It started at 4:30, and I drove up with Tiffany, Camden and Riley. On the way, we came to some construction and I said, "Oh. Oh." When Camden in the back seat heard me say that, she said, "What? What?" I think she was a little worried after being with me when we got stuck at the Ahlanders a few days ago. Lindy was sick, so Nate and Sidney stayed home with her. Richard was still working at the temple, so Steven waited to pick him up at 5:00 and they came later. Our food assignment was rolls (from Shirley's) and two dishes of potatoes. Lindy sent along the cream cheese with chilli sauce and crackers appetizer and some carrots and dip. Scott and Paige brought another dish of potatoes, Dennis and Relva brought the jello salad and condiments, Karalie and Scott did the ham, Danielle made her pasta salad, Elisa was in charge of the paper goods, and Kevin and Wendy brought the peppermint ice cream and cookies for dessert. We kind of have our menu down pat by now. It was nice that Christopher could be there with his kids this year. I was pretty occupied keeping Camden and Riley fed and entertained, so it seemed like I didn't visit much; but I think everyone had a good time. Steven and Richard made it there around 6:00. Richard especially liked the shrimp and cocktail sauce appetizer (left over from Kara's B day party), which I forgot to mention earlier. All in all, it was a good party. Mom said she couldn't believe that she was really there.

Today Tiffany and I went to Relief Society at the MTC. Sis. Bird, wife of a former MTC district president, gave the lesson on Joseph Smith, which was appropriate since today is his birthday. After R.S. we went over to Susan Black's for a visit. It was fun to see her, and she was glad to see Tiffany. She said this has been a slow year for her because she has only had four books published this year. She and Harvey were busy preparing dinner for the missionaries, so we didn't stay too long. Susan gave Tiffany a copy of her latest book in the "Son of Man" series for a Christmas gift. That was nice of her. Tiffany said maybe she'll be able to give copies of her Zion book next year. Let's hope.

After we left Susan's, we returned to the MTC for lunch in the cafeteria, then we went to sacrament meeting with Steven in his branch. Tiffany enjoyed meeting the missionaries, especially my friends, Elders Skinner and Tadd. She thought it was quite funny how Elder Tadd likes to give hugs instead of shaking hands (only to the other elders and branch presidency members, of course; not to us).

After the MTC we came home and got ready for Sunday dinner. We had pot roast tonight, and it was quite good if I do say so myself. Lindy and Nate and the girls came, so that was fun. The little girls are thrilled to have Tiffany here to play with. So, all in all, it was a good, busy, fun day.