A Carriage Ride on New Year's Eve 2009

Two days before the end of 2009 I was going through some 'saved' memories and came across a white envelope with my name on it written in Larry's handwriting.

When I opened it, I found the card and money shown here. There is no date on it, but he and I figure it is about 10 years old. That's how long it has been since Larry has used those cards to write notes to me. Neither of us know why the money was still there, but I decided right then, on the spur of the moment, to plan a date doing something we'd never done before. It only took a moment before I thought of a carriage ride on Temple Square.

Checking the web site, I found that the price for a ride during the Christmas season was $50 ~ it was meant to be!

Since 4 could ride for the same price as two, and neither Larry and I were in the romantic mood, I decided to ask another couple to join us.

First I asked my mother. I don't think she's ever been on a carriage ride and I wanted to thank her for all the hours she has spent at my house for the last several months, helping me in so many little (and big) ways. I called her and explained what we were doing, but sadly, she didn't feel up to it.

I called Niki next. I love sharing things like this with my kids. I'd already asked Bryson and he'd said, "No offense mom, but it doesn't sound like a lot of fun as a single guy going on a carriage ride with married people."

Christopher and Bri were in California and I knew Dustin was working. It turned out Niki and John could go the next night, which was New Year's Eve. I was so excited!!


I asked Bryson to come downtown with us, even though he wouldn't be riding, so he could roam Temple Square and other celebration locations with us, and he agreed, so off the 5 of us went.
It was a beautiful night for a ride ~ not too cold, a clear sky but no wind. Our first stop
after parking was to the pick-up spot at the South Gates on Temple Square, since it was a first-come-first-served basis for the rides. I was in my wheelchair, of course, all bundled up snug and warm.


When our driver came, Larry asked if all 5 of us could ride and the driver said, "Sure, no problem." ~ what a great attitude, what a
great guy! Bryson still didn't want to come, but he was a good sport about it.

It was beautiful, as you'll see on the video. And so fun to hear the clip-clop of the horses hooves.

Afterward, we did wander around Temple Square for a bit, looking at all there is to see there. We even went inside the South Visitor's Center and the Joseph Smith Memorial Building and partook of some of their activities there.



















We stopped to take a group picture in front of this tree, and just as a friendly volunteer pushed the button to take the picture, the darling, oblivious young man you see walked right in front of us and
just kept on going, even after the flash went off. We all started laughing. We took a couple of pictures at the tree, but when we got home and looked at them, this was the only one that wasn't fuzzy. We still laugh when we look at this picture, so I decided to include it in our post, even though we have no clue who our "new" family member is.

It was the perfect way to get the New Year's Eve celebration started! And it all started with Larry's gift from many Christmas' ago.

I made this (4 minute) video from the clips we took during the ride. Hope you enjoy it!


Family: Isn't it about time??!!!

Christmas 2009

Bryson putting ornaments on the tree.










Cathi unwrapping bells and ornaments for Bryson to put on display.












Our Christmas animal collection.











My Christmas Village.















Just before turning out the lights on Christmas Eve.













Bryson's excited to open his gifts.











Larry laughing because Cathi gave him the exact same music CD last year: C.W. McCall's Greatest Hits - and he still hasn't listened to the first one! (Maybe that's why she didn't remember giving it to him.)













Cathi got a bird feeder that will hang from her bedroom window.

















Larry opening his book of letters.....













and realizing what it was.








Bryson gave Larry a gift certificate to Weapon Blender, so Larry could get his own airsoft gun and join Bryson in using them.

Chipman Family Newletter and Collage 2009

December 2009
Dear Friends and Family,

How grateful we are for this wonderful season of the year. It is a time to reflect on the life and teachings of our Savior, Jesus Christ. It is a time to more fully focus on the many blessings we have been given. And, thankfully, it is a time that creates a desire to reach out and connect with those we love, but may not often see.
It’s been a couple of years since we sent out a family newsletter and there have been several changes in our family. We hope you enjoy reading about them.
Dustin lives in an apartment in Murray, not far from us. He earned his Associate Degree in General Education in 2007 and plans to return to full-time school in the near future. He works as a trainer and quality assurance staff member for the courier department of IHC. He has organized several social events at work, including softball teams and fantasy sports leagues. He also enjoys reading and playing video games.
Christopher married Briana Beatse on December 27, 2008 in the Mt. Timpanogos Temple. “Bri” brings many new talents to our family and we enjoy having her in our family. She will graduate from BYU in December 2010 with a Bachelor’s degree in Theater Arts Education. Christopher plans to graduate from BYU in April 2012 with a Master’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering and Technologies. They enjoy live theater and playing board games.
Niki married John Adams on September 12, 2009, also in the Mt. Timpanogos Temple. John also brings new talents and we feel blessed to have him in our family. John and Niki live in Orem and are both working full-time, saving money for school. Niki has completed 1 1/2 of 4 years in her American Sign Language Interpretation and Deaf Studies program and currently works in the bakery department at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center. John works as an assembly technician at Traco Manufacturing. They enjoy walks in the park and cooking together.
Bryson, 15, is a sophomore at West Jordan High school and enjoys almost every minute of it. He loves soccer: is the keeper (goalie) on both a community competitive team and his high school team; his favorite professional team is Liverpool (England), followed closely by ReAL Salt Lake. He also loves all things World War II and anything having to do with the Marine Corp. We are grateful for all the help he gives us at home and are especially grateful he is still at home. We are not ready to be empty-nesters!!
Cathi is happy to be at home and enjoys spending time with family and friends. Although her health is slowly declining due to side effects of systemic scleroderma, she continues to be as active as possible. She loves to participate in book club; family gatherings; and create picture books and other memories for her children and extended family. The greatest blessings in her life are the gospel; Larry and their 6 children; the many family and friends who provide assistance and bring her joy; and her new support team, Rocky Mountain Hospice. She serves as ward website chairman and ward historian.
Larry is THE MAN!!! He is the one who keeps us all going. He is Manager of the Refuse Collection Department of Salt Lake County; does all of the shopping, cooking, cleaning, laundry and redecorating of our home; as well as giving loving, compassionate care to Cathi; and serves as High Priest Group Leader in our ward. When he actually has a few minutes to himself, he enjoys watching movies, hiking to waterfalls and photography.
The newest member of our family hasn’t formally arrived yet. Christopher and Bri are expecting their first child, and thus our first grandchild, the middle of May 2010. We’re going to be GRANDPARENTS!!! Of a sweet, precious angel who, even as we write and read this, is in the presence of our Father in Heaven and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Which brings us back to the beginning: We stand as witnesses that Our Father in Heaven and His Son, Jesus Christ live. More importantly, we know They Love us – and you. We know this because the Spirit has testified of these realities to us many times.
May you feel Their Love and Our Love with you this Christmas season and always.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Christmas Day Memories 2008

Christmas Day Memories 2008 part 2

Several years ago, Dustin gave Niki a box filled with 'extras', along with her regular Christmas gift. Those 'extras' have now become part of the Chipman family tradition, with a new person getting them each year. This year it was Christopher and Bri's turn.

Bryson's Christmas Concert 2008

Here's a (2:30) clip of Bryson playing one of the songs at his Christmas Concert 2008. Hope you enjoy it.