"Merry Little Christmas"(Jenifer highly recommends this one)
"The Twelve Days of Christmas"
"Away in a Manger"
"White Christmas"
"Sleigh Ride"

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all our relatives and friends ! This year's letter is another attempt to "link" you to our life here in Denver, Colorado. So have fun wandering through all this stuff. As we hope is the same for you, 1998 brought us a great many blessings. In particular, if you look closely at the picture to the left that you are grumbling took too long to load, you will notice another Pusey who was cast from the same mold as the first three. This new little wonder is Arianne. She is the mysterious "player to be named later" referenced in our 1997 Christmas letter. She arrived on April 6, 1998. Jenifer had a strong feeling that one more sweet spirit was supposed to join our family. Now we cannot imagine life without her ! Some other big news in our extended family was that Scott's parents, John and Shauna Pusey were called on a humanitarian mission to

Madras, India for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Based on numerous email reports, we think they are having an experience of a lifetime. . . or two lifetimes. We were so pleased that Jenifer's parents, Ray and Gayle Young, were able to come to Colorado for Arianne's blessing (christening) as well as for an understanding leader who let Grandpa and Grandma Pusey out of the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah so they could be there as well.

During 1998, Scott became one of United Airlines most valued customers. His travel schedule ratcheted up a bit after becoming Senior Counsel to Johns Manville's Insulation Group. He actually spent a reasonable amount of time at home too.

Scott got to take a so-called business trip with customers in June. The trip was a cruise to Alaska on the "Galaxy" via the Inside Passage. In Alaska, bald eagles fly around like crows. Scott was pretty lonely for seven days, however, because Jenifer could not go (although invited) due to Arianne being only 2 months old. The highlights of the trip were sea-kayaking in Juneau and the awesome Hubbard Glacier.

Jenifer's main activity for the first third of the year obviously was growing Arianne to a point she could meet the rest of the family. Jenifer then turned her attention to some serious growing in the fruit and vegetable department. We enjoyed some of the best cantaloupes ever, as well as corn, carrots, peas, beans, broccoli, tomatoes, many varieties of squash, and pumpkins. Jenifer amazed the neighbors by extracting such a bounty in our clay soil. What we didn't tell them was it really wasn't our clay soil. With the help of friends and cousins we built a 37 foot garden box (and some stairs to get to it). What Jenifer put in there besides chicken manure is our big secret!

In July, we took a road trip to San Francisco. Something possessed us to drive and we put the car carrier on the van and wound our way across Colorado, Utah and Nevada. We experienced first hand the "loneliest road in America," Highway 50, in Nevada. The end result was not lonely, however, because we ended up at Dave and Diane Doonan's house in scenic Gardnerville, south of Carson City. Jenifer and Diane have been friends since they were five years old and it was nice to let the husbands and the next generation get acquainted. All across Nevada, the wide open spaces and desert scenery was entertaining, but the small borrowed TV and video machine we brought along made the trip really first class (except for the driver who had to stuff his ears because the volume control for those viewing from the back seats necessitated over 100 decibels in the front seat). In San Francisco we enjoyed a visit to Alcatraz, the Muir Woods, a ride on a cable car and jaunts around Chinatown, Fisherman's Wharf and Coit Tower.

Jenifer's aunt, Carol Young joined us for dinner one evening and it was nice to get reaquainted with her. We also had a memorable reunion with one of our dearest friends in New York, Kimberley Stewart. We enjoyed visiting with Kim and her family in Menlo Park in celebration of Kim's parents and brother returning from missions to Argentina. On the way back from San Francisco, we stopped in Salt Lake for a brief visit with Jenifer's grandparents, Pierce and Orpha Bringhurst. Before arriving in Denver we stopped at Ft. Bridger, Wyoming. This is a state historical site with some particular significance in Mormon history. We think it is well worth a short exit off of I-80, especially if you like good quality, low priced mountain man and indian trinkets and such.

For the kids' fall break, we took another road trip to the Golden State. This time we visited with Grandpa and Grandma Young and we all went to Disneyland. We had a total blast with great

weather, uncrowded conditions and six thrilled kids ! (How are you counting the "kids"? well, Liz, Harrison, Will, Arianne, Scott and Grandpa, of course). We got to see Scott's sister Shauna and the rest of the Challis clan, plus Sara Pusey in St. George on the way there and the way back.

And here they are again, the kids' "Résumé du Année":

Elizabeth,age 9, is in fourth grade this year. She is in a special combined class with fifth graders and will stay with her teacher for two school years. One highlight this year was a "survival" campout that was staged on the school grounds. Jenifer volunteered Scott to stay overnight in our tent with Elizabeth and three of her classmates. Even in the middle of suburbia, it turned out to be somewhat of a wilderness experience when an owl decided to "whooo whooo" from a nearby tree for the whole night. Elizabeth has enjoyed ice skating and swimming lessons and also has taken up piano lessons in earnest this year. She has been actively involved with the student council at the elementary school and enjoys reading and continues to excel at math, science, art and music too. Liz was elected treasurer of her 4-H Crazy Critters club. Elizabeth adores her new baby sister, Arianne, and is a big help to her parents in our busy household.

Harrison, age 6, is in first grade. His main goal in life is to wear his camouflage clothing as much as possible and to ask Dad and Mom as many as 100 questions per minute (when he is really warmed up) on subjects ranging from the size of the universe to tornadoes to the second coming of Jesus Christ to who was Rasputin etc. etc. The most celebrated question of the year was the day before Thanksgiving. Scott had just come home from a business trip after closing a transaction and Harrison innocently inquired – "Dad, will you be staying for Thanksgiving?" Harrison played in spring and fall soccer this year and became quite good at the "sweeper" position. Taking after his sister, Harrison is fascinated by books and comes home from the library with some very challenging subject matter (the Gulf War, the Revolutionary War, Hurricanes, Tornadoes, Lightning, Spiders, Bats, do we see a theme?). Harrison joined in on ice skating, swimming and piano lessons too.

William is four years old and attends pre-k pre-school. Will is a talented kid and paints and colors some incredible abstract art. His latest big thing is to point out whenever he can, signs or words that spell "will." Since we live in an area called Willow Creek, whenever we pass the sign, Will reminds us that we live in his Creek. He is in awe of Harrison's and Lizzie's ability to read and is working fast to catch up; but he still loves to have them read stories to him. Will is always ready for an adventure of some sort and is a great bundle of energy when it comes to outdoor activities. Will joined the ski school a couple of times in November (before it stopped snowing and started melting) and soon will be able to keep up with Liz and Harrison. Will was quite pleased that when we were outfitting the family with ski helmets this year, he needed a bigger size than both Liz and Harrison.

Arianne is eight months old and has begun exploring her world by means of preambulatory self conveyance (crawling). Arianne is also engaging in verbal early stage lingual forms of communication (Da Da, Mama, Hi, Bye). This child has the sweetest disposition and is a great influence for good in our family. We really think that Arianne has an extraordinary capacity for love which comes through even without an ability speak. We had Scott's grandmother, Vaun Seely and his sister Sara Pusey in Denver for Thanksgiving. Grandma Seely exclaimed that Arianne had gotten so wrapped around her heart strings that she did not want to leave. The only regret we have with this angel so far is she did not keep her impressive shock of dark brown hair from when she was born. Instead, she has gone into a two-tone look like a bad dye job. Jenifer has so far resisted the temptation to declare that Arianne is worth it and break out the L'Oreal.

As we close this Christmas letter about us, we turn our thoughts to you, our friends and family. We have enjoyed, and hope to continue to enjoy, your cards, notes, letters and photos. Over the past year, we have rejoiced with you in your moments of celebration. We also have been saddened in your times of grief and struggle. We realize that each day is a gift from God and His Son. Especially at this time of year, we as a family pause to reflect upon the gifts the Savior has given us. We rejoice for the gifts of Light and Life, Love and Friendship. Much love to you and have a joyful Christmas and holiday season!

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©Copyright 1998 J. Scott Pusey All Rights Reserved