March 2019

12 December 2013

It seems to run together in my mind: the last of November and the first of December because the temperatures were the same, COLD! We have had below zero temperatures every morning beginning the last of November and two weeks into December.

I remember putting up the Christmas lights outside right after Thanksgiving, thinking I had better get started before it gets too cold. Well, the next day it got TOO COLD. The northern arctic air came right down across Idaho all the way to the southern states in the west and then across the US all the way to Florida. It was cold and has just begun to warm up a bit right before Christmas.

We have had very little snow. I have shoveled snow just once. I monitor the walks for my neighbor lady Mrs. Michelson who is 92 and the Bresslers. Julia’s great grandson, Sam, is doing her walks.

When we got back from the November cruise to the Western Caribbean, Dawn and I were home one week before we visited the Inland Divers in Idaho Falls. This facility offers scuba classes and Dawn immediately signed up. So for the first two weeks in December she spent training for her certification with PADI instructors. Patty and Cory Christensen are the mother and son dive instructors for the course. She spent time in the classroom each week and then on two Saturdays in a row we were in Plymouth, Utah at the Campers World Hot Springs campground diving in the hot springs pool.

The first Saturday (Dec 7) we drove down in a snow storm. I was able to be Dawn’s dive buddy for the open water dive skills test. I about froze getting out and putting equipment away following the time in the hot springs pool. The next weekend (Dec 14) I was again her buddy but this time I wore a wetsuit purchased from Sportsman’s Warehouse, the only place in town I found a wet suit to fit.

One other event that happened this month which I felt was incredible was the ward Christmas party for “adults only” (meaning there were no children this year). Sister Laura Mason was in charge and did a beautiful job in decorating to the theme of the Bethlehem village and selecting talent for the Christmas program. Food was distributed in various tent displays. I might add there was a lot of food. The program was exceptional with singing and narration from Paul Mason. Amber Beck sang beautifully. Dawn was unable to attend due to her scuba class. The next week end we had another dinner for just those who could not come because they had small children. It was less decorated and casual. Santa Claus did come and sit with the kids. Dawn was on overload and exhausted from much preparing and didn’t attend this ward activity either.

Now that all the activities are ending – making placemats for the Crofts, Christmas stocking for the Mariners and ourselves, Dawn and I are spending time taking care of gifts for the grandkids. Most of them got gift cards from Target. We did send the Kurowski kids a box filled with various presents. Now that we are finishing wrapping the presents for Lynette Kunz, something Dawn does yearly, we are wrapping the gifts for the Mariners. They will be here Sunday evening. We have a lot of fun things planned for Adam, Monica, Burton and Roxy.

Dennis Croft and I boxed potatoes at the Taylorview regional potato farm last night. We spent three hours assembling potato boxes to be filled and ready for transport. We boxed 72 palates of fresh pack potatoes last night. I am tired today.

Dawn and I delivered Christmas plates of cookies and sweets to our families we visit each month. We also took goodies and a Book of Mormon to Carol, our spinning teacher, to Darryl Spencer and to Ricardo, our next door neighbor. Dawn has been up evenings preparing for these deliveries. Once again Christmas is a busy time of year. Fortunately, we have three weeks off from our temple duty to spend time with family and friends.

One Christmas activity that has turned into a Russell family tradition is hosting a Saturday-before-Christmas neighbor breakfast and white elephant gift exchange. Phyllis Steen was our new guest. We had a great time and was so happy Christine who recently returned from England could join us.

Well, Christmas is fast approaching and the activities are starting to mount. Among all the celebration, both Dawn and I continued to train for the July 2014 Wharf to Wharf 10K this next summer. I have been jogging around the river and spending time on the treadmill. Even though it is cold we continue to exercise.

It became time for the Mariners were to arrive on 22 December but they had car trouble and were delayed a day having to rent a truck to get here. They arrived a day later than planned and the following day we all went to Victor, Idaho to celebrate Christmas with the Taow family along with Luis and Emily hosting the Alberto and Elsa family from Peru.

The Peruvians came to stay with Luis and Emily because they bought a new home in Jackson, WY. We spend the eve of the 24^th with them. Then we stayed the two nights at a Bed and Breakfast in Victor (Tim and Julie Morley). Christine, David, Dawn and I were hosted by Julie Morley each morning to a wonderful breakfast.

While in Victor, Dawn and I cross country skied up Teton Canyon for 6 miles and afterwards joined the Taows and Peruvians at the ice skate rink. I was able to stay up on the ice and got back some of the ability I once had on the ice.

We opened gifts on Christmas with the family in Victor at Sven and Brenna’s home. Dawn and I brought Burton and Roxy back to our house while Adam and Monica stayed to snow board Grand Targhee Ski Resort.

To celebrate the New Year Jon and Holly arrived as the Mariner's were exiting. We never slowed down. The next day we drove to Ashton, ID and up the canyon to the Warm River. Joh, Holly and I spent the day fishing. I have a new Tankara Japanese fishing pole Jon gave me for Christmas. That evening we had dinner at Garcias here in Idaho Falls. The next day was New Year's Day and we drove to Kelly's Canyon to ski but turned back to see the eagles and fish the Snake River. Then we cross country skied Tautphus Park before dinner at Sizzler's and off to the Bowlero bowling alley. Sure had fun!

The year has ended with wonderful memories of the abundant events we have had with family and friends. Although there are changes in our society which cause us concern, we continue to hold fast to that which we know to be true. We want our way of life to be above the changes that will eventually cause great alarm to those living beneath the moral standard of mutual existence.

The New Year will bring opportunities for us to serve our family and community. Service is what makes us happy.