Heading for Christmas

We held our family sing-along last Monday with some success.  It went well, although only sparsely attended.  Sheri invited Sam’s family.  Sam is Tony's friend from school.  They are very nice.  They live in the Lathrop Ward boundaries.  Sam and his mom and two younger siblings came.  We also had the Binghams and Charity and Anthony.  We did a little reading from "A Christmas Carol."  It was fun.  The first half was a’capela as Randy was working.  She played when she came home.  Camberly is getting big fast.  She is fun though.  

We had the first rehearsal for the ward party.  We are singing "Behold the Condescension of God" which has never been sung before.  It was rough as our pianist wasn’t there.  However I think it is doable.  It is coming together.  The Elders and high priests are doing the party this year so we are having deep fried turkey.  We will see how it turns out.  Miranda and I are also going to sing the Mary and Joseph lullaby.  I do not know what else is on the program. 

Mom has been doing Stars this year.  This is a jazz dance group directed by Terry Wardle Slaugh.  Mom was in San Jose Friday for dress rehearsal.  I caught the end of it and then helped set up chairs.  We saw some people from the Strawberry Square area when we ate at Wendy's.  Sheri and Randy went back out for two performances this last Saturday and they did the Creche exhibit in Palo Alto.  There is performance of Starzz at Christmas-in-the-Park this week. 

I watched the Christmas devotional.  That talk, "What Happened Next?" by the primary president was very good.  

http://www.lds.org/broadcasts/article/christmas-devotional/2013/12/what-happened-next?lang=eng 

Christmas Trip to San Jose: Creche and Starzz on Stage

ineSheri is helping out as assistant costume mistress for Starzz on Stage, a group the kids use to dance with.  Terry Slaugh conducts the dance class, and is a good friend along with her parents Karen and Vern Wardle.  Sheri helps with costume changes, and five and six-year-olds do need help.  There are older groups, but keeping the kids on stage in costume takes some work.

As a result we were in San Jose this week.  Sheri and I went to the Creche Exhibit in Palo Alto.  As usual it was super-fantastic, with so many different depictions of the birth of our Savior.  They didn't allow pictures, so you will just have to go.  There is a village scene with the nativity that is incredible with all the pieces.  There are artist depictions, creches from all over the world, with different ethnic differences coming out in the depictions of the Holy Family.  Small nativities, and large ones.  And different mediums from ceramic, to origami, soap stone, pewter, and marble.  There is just everything.  They also have a children's activity area.  While we were there there was music, via flute, piano and harpsichord.  It was enjoyable.  As always we run into people we know, Jill Grover and Nancy Orton with her mother-in-law.  We also waved to Stephanie, Nancy's daughter.

I sat and enjoyed the Starzz on stage, while Sheri was busy back stage.  I really like the Hawaiian dance.  On of the girls really had the hula down, and would make a good student of Polynesian dance. There was a small group of boys he kept the show more humorous with their hot chocolate  Jingle Bells.  The younger girls were very well done, for such young girls, and the taller girls also did well with their lines.  The last dance had the girls going in a circle which they did with lots of enthusiasm.  They finished by singing "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" with lots of gusto.  One small girl became nervous for a second, and wanted to run off, but when everyone applauded for her she overcame her shyness.

Saw many past friends, too many to name them all.  Howe vef they includ Ron and Linda Pepperman, past home teachers, the Figgats, Sheffields, Baliguats, Chris Capener, President Hodgman and his wife, and many more.
Sheri and I, while in Cupertino, visited ***Panera Bread, a soup and sandwich restaurant.  They were quick; it was mostly like a fast food place.  I had tomato soup and cheese sandwich.  Sheri had French onion soup.  The cheese sandwich was excellent, but my tomato soup was too much like spaghetti sauce.  However it grew on me.  They should have had some Saltines or some kind of cracker.