Worth a Thousand Words

 Some pictures just are . . . .

Last veteran of WWII battle group marching in Victory Day Parade.

Keynote Christmas Season 2024

 Shonna's family left on Sunday and our Keynote performance season started on Monday morning with a two-hour final rehearsal.  We did nine performances, ending with our concert on December 11th in the tabernacle.

Bottom:  Val Jones, Kalynn Snow, Cindi Witt, Marsha Brinkerhoff

Middle: Jen Pusey, Kim Meyers, Kyla Lawrence, Connie Spilker

Top: Tami Peterson, Cindy Alton, Lydia Fisher, Kay Hinton

At one of our performances at a rest home, we found Mary Dawn Cox- an original Keynote.  Keynotes started 61 years ago!  Her daughter and granddaughter were with her to hear us.  It was such an honor to sing for her. 

I spent many hours preparing cheat sheets, mic maps, position charts.  Being the leader is a huge job.  These are just a FEW of the many charts, etc, I made.  I learned a lot and have written notes on what I've learned.  Hopefully next year will be easier.

We were asked to sing for the Red Cliffs, Utah temple sealers and wives Christmas social.  Never have we had such an attentive audience.

Star Bright with the guitar

Our tabernacle concert went very well, with only minor glitches.  It is an honor to sing in that sacred, historic building.

I love each of these dear ladies and could write a whole post, talking about each of them- their fine qualities and what they contribute to our group.  They are my Keynote sisters.

Outside, the lights were so beautiful!

I am the leader for Christmas. I have already started planning and choosing music for next Christmas.   Kim is the leader for the spring season.  I happily turn over the leadership reins to her for a while.  I love being a Keynote!

Thanksgiving Week: Saturday

 The Mackrorys left at about 5 am on Saturday.  Nathan works at Chick filA and had to be to work at 4:00 pm.  He made it!  But we had the Camerons for another wonderful day.

In the morning, each of the kids played for us.  It was a beautiful recital.  They are all getting so good!

As Shonna has been homebound after her surgery, she has practiced the piano a lot.  Wow!  She is really good.  She made her mama cry.  

Then their whole family sang a beautiful Christmas song for us.  Blogger won't let me post videos, but I wish you could have heard it.  They are all so talented.  Here is a link to the song:  born to be a king - Search

We had fun playing Skyjo

We went out for dinner at Costa Vida

It was a fun day with the Cameron family.  We love them all so very much.  They went to church with us the next morning, then headed for home.

Thanksgiving Week: Friday

 Friday was a mini Christmas.  We exchanged gifts.  We gave everyone a copy of the book I published this year, "Grandma's Stories."  It is stories from my life.  Camerons had Mackrorys for Christmas this year, so the Mackrorys opened their gifts from them. 

Checking out Grandma's Stories.

All of the Mackrorys got shackets from Camerons.

Three beautiful granddaughters: Lily, Hannah, and Audrey

Everyone loved their new shacket.

Thank you hugs are always a part of a Hinton Christmas.

Ken and Kristen went on an early morning walk each day.

Yep!  Back to the Red Hill.

Kristen made homemade cherry chocolates for Ken- his favorite.

The adults went out to lunch to celebrate Shonna's birthday.  After her jaw surgery in September, she is finally able to eat a whole meal.  It takes a while, but she did it!

Nativity at the temple.

Blake reading from Summer of the Monkeys to the kids.  They always have a good book going at their house.  

Playing the game again.  So fun!

The boys playing a game downstairs.

Score!

We did a special sealing session at the temple that evening with Ken as sealer.  It was wonderful.  We sealed a lot of our ancestors.