Christmas in the Grove

Christmas in the Grove

Tonight at 8:00

American Fork Tabernacle

For me, it just doesn't feel like Christmas until Christmas in the Grove. Brandi is singing again this year, and Jake is doing percussion. Ethan decided not to sing this year. If I remember to get more film and charge the battery, I'll film again and show you highlights. But if you are in the area and can arrange it, come and enjoy the music and the spirit. You will be glad you did.

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Indeed.

Christmas in the Grove

Here is a video of about 5 of my favorites from the Christmas in the Grove program. The program was about 1 1/2 hours and this video lasts about 20 minutes. You will see, of course, close ups of Brandi and Jacob and Ethan, but you will also see some of why I love Kathryn. If she were to tak her talent and give me just an extremely small thimble full, I would be overflowing with talent.

It was a fun and spiritual evening and I am so happy that I was well enough to go. For me, it isn't Christmas until "Christmas in the Grove".

Again, be sure to scroll to the bottom to turn down the playlist.
Lynell Haas playing the flute.

Jocelyn Pedersen soloist on Mary Had a Baby

Mike Carson- organist

Wanda Orr- pianist

Jacob Sorenson- tabourine

Kathryn Laycock Little

Kathryn Laycock Little

I am so honored to know this lady. More than that, though, I am blessed to be able to call her friend. You may know her from "Brigham City" or "Singles Ward 2" or if you live in Utah, you may have seen her in any number of plays or productions. She has also been a soloist with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. This is a picture from last Sunday night's program, Christmas in the Grove. This was during an audience participation song. I thought it showed the playfull side of Kathryn that I love so much.

I will be uploading some video sections from the program later today or tomorrow, but I just wanted to pay a little tribute to Kathryn. Each year for the last 15 years, she has been the spearhead behind Christmas in the Grove. With a committee, she chooses songs that tell the story of Christ's birth and mission and then spends Sunday evenings starting early in Oct. preparing the adult and youth choirs for the performance and also helping with the children's choir. This, in addition to being the choir director for the most amazing ward choir. Also in addition to her everday work and life.

She has an amazing voice. Here she is singing the final number from last week's program. (sorry it is shaky, I had to change tapes and didn't have time to put the camera back on the tripod and I was still kinda sick)

(be sure to scroll to the bottom of the page and turn down the playlist sound)

Isn't that the voice of an angel? Kathryn is one of those women that would give you the shirt off of her back if she could and you needed it. But she is also one of those women that really and truly appreciates the small gifts of friendship and acknowledges them and you feel as if you had given her $1,000,000 even if it was just a simple hug. As I said, I am honored and blessed to know her and call her friend.

Sunday, Dec 9

I am gong to take a little break from the Christmas song review, today. I have been ill. I went to be early Th. feeling a bit unwell. i didn't sleep well, and when the alarm went off Friday morning, I knew it was not good. I started making my oblations to the porceline throne not long after that. In fact, I ended up at the dr. office. He was sure it was the flu. But, alas, it was not, so just a shot of Phenergan and one of Tordal for the joint pain. I really hate having a comprimised immmune system- Epstein Barr Syndrome and Rhemetoid Arthritis- both make illnesses worse than they should be.

So, with the drugs in my system, I missed work and the work Christmas Party Friday night. But even worse than that, I missed picking up Trevor at the airport after the party! Yes, he is home until he leaves next Aug on his mission. I was dead asleep, full of meds when he came home. He touched me and I woke up though. What a sweetie, he bought me two charms for my charm bracelet. He had seen me looking at them when I was on base in Sept. but I couldn't afford them. They are the Marine symbol and have real diamonds in them. He got me one to represent Donovan and one to represent him.

I also slept through yesterday and the ward Christmas party. And he 2 feet of snow that fell and the kids making a 6 ft. snowman outside. I also got to miss grocery shopping and mopping, but I did manage to do a couple loads of laundry and fold the towels and redo Brandi's hair before I fell back into bed exhausted.

Today it is still snowing and I still feel gross, but a shower helped. I am missing church so that I will have enough energy to go to the Christmas program "Christmas in the Grove" tonight. Brandi is singing in the children's choir, Jake and Ethan are singing in the youth choir and Jake is also playing percussion. I love this program and have only missed 2-3 in the last 15 years- always due to illness and once a new preemie baby- Jake. For me, it isn't Christmas until Christmas in the Grove.

This season is turning into one of those that circumstances are forcing me to remember the season and forget the trappings. Those always turn out to be my favorite memories, the simple years where I am too ill or tired to do the big elaborate celbrations with all of their flippery and finery.

Well, I am feeling a bit tired, so off for a nap.