Merry Christmas!

It’s been a wonderful Christmas with my family.  I’m sure I gained a few extra pounds, was busier then I wanted to be, but really tried to keep Christ in Christmas.  I love this time of year!

Our highlight of Christmas was this cold night...  Before seeing the lights at Temple Square, we prepared a bunch of hot cocoa and Christmas cookies for the homeless downtown . Such a neat and humbling opportunity to reach out to those in need, one we’ll never forget.  Seeing my kids interact and show a deep love and empathy towards strangers was heartwarming.  We had many special moments, seeing Josh help wherever needed, helping a lady fill her plastic cup to the rim with cake to take with her, meeting “Lois the Most”, as he said we are safe around him at his post and he will protect us there in “the mix”, seeing Paul listen to a man for a good 20-25 minutes as he told him about his family and asked about ours, and seeing Trevor and the girls make sure everyone had marshmallows in their hot cocoa, serving so cheerfully and visiting those around them.  I was touched when a lady came to me saying some very special things.  My kids loved it and want to do it every year now. I normally don’t post about service experiences, but wanted my family to never forget this night.

Beautiful night!

Took these cuties to see Frozen.  Our new favorite Disney show.  They quoted the show all evening over dinner.

Even Ellie the Elf liked it

December wouldn’t be the same without spending some time here… a peaceful morning with my sweetie away from the hustle and bustle.  don’t mind the steeple coming out of Paul’s head.

With many hands, a few of us met at my place to put together these nice homemade bread and freezer jam gifts for the singles, over 30 were delivered by the youth. 

Since Josh had to head back to school the day after Christmas (he starts his new mgr. job), we gave them an early Christmas present, a ski / snow board package for the day. 

They were thrilled!  S & S love going with their brothers, they show them the ropes.  They take them on some pretty advanced runs, but the girls try hard and keep up.  The girls love to ski and the boys snowboarding.

 

While they were gone, Paul and I got some wrapping in, then actually had time for a real date.  What?  An enjoyable dinner and movie, “Saving Mr. Banks”

Yummy crepes for Christmas Eve breakfast, full of bananas, strawberries, and Nutella,

Christmas Eve was magical- enjoying homemade Chicken Noodle soup and rolls, writing some special letters, reading “A Family Christmas Eve” with Luke 2, and singing Christmas songs.  Josh playing the chords on guitar was a nice addition.

I may have exceeded my 4 gift limit / person, but not by much, we have a decent size family.  It was nice to be in bed by midnight for a change on Christmas Eve!

Merry Christmas to all!

 

Lights at Temple Square

One of my favorite Christmas traditions.  It was so cold this night, but so enjoyable.  Waiting just a few days before Christmas to see the Nativity, it’s always a special night. 

I left my camera in the car (smart), so all pictures but restaurant ones are from Paul’s phone, not too shabby!

Met for dinner first

 

a great Chinese restaurant near Paul’s work (we’ve wanted to take the kids here for awhile)

The girls shared an adult portion Orange Chicken, delisch!  They are still so cute with food.  Always so grateful, thanking us more then once, especially if they really like it.  They have big appetites and often eat more then the their brothers.  The worse thing to them is being hungry (I’m afraid they experienced that often in their first 3 years of life)

The fish is the best, Paul likes their steak

 

passing through City Creek

Quick stop at H & M, Sophie posing with the mannequin, she fits in well :)

 

Stopped in the beautiful JSM building for some hot chocolate

the reflecting pond

May peace be with us all!

Magical night

at Temple Square 

Christmas wouldn’t be the same without coming here to see the lights

We enjoyed watching my sister-in-law and nieces sing in the Assembly Hall, so peaceful!  Then my nephew introduced the girls to the Clydesdales.  He drove these horse drawn carriages last winter. 

Nick & Amber (my cute niece) catching up.  Trevor recently came here with his Scout group and was excited to show us this short dramatization on families.  He talked us into it, although we hadn’t seen the nativity yet, but what a neat film.  Afterwards, the young sister missionaries gathered around us and we had such a nice chat.  One from China, one from Finland, and the other from the states.  I’m sure they’re missing their families this time of year, they seemed to enjoy ours, and we enjoyed their visits.  The girl from China was thrilled to meet Sophie and Sage and they wanted to know about our experiences.    

I left home quickly without my warm coat, so Paul insisted I wear his (we chuckled since it reminded us of our college days in cold Rexburg, I always wore his).  Josh had to work, so we met him afterwards and grilled up a steak dinner with the whole family.  Such blessings! 

Merry Christmas! 

A Day with my Boys…

and what a good day it was

The girls were invited to Seven Peaks (waterslide park) with their good friend, so we enjoyed some rare time with only mom & her boys…

Not so little anymore, sigh...  We drove around uptown listening to a great/ funny CD and enjoying the sights, then ended up here.  They were good sports to let me take pictures :)  

Neat seeing the new displays in the Visiting Center and watching Testaments again.  Trevor was impressed by the displays of emergency welfare provided throughout the nation and told me to sign him up, he wants to help!  I think he’ll do a lot of helping and serving in his life, him and his brothers have such a love and concern for others, now if I can say they always show that to each other, well usually :).  We also enjoyed a nice chat with some young girl missionaries from Hong Kong, they said how lucky our girls must be to have 3 big brothers, cute.

  

Beautiful JSM building on our way to the Lion House for their famous cinnamon rolls.  Don’t mind- N & J in jeans &  T in his swimsuit from earlier today.  We didn’t plan this far ahead.    

So fun spending the afternoon with my boys, we’ll do it again soon and see Legacy.  

Happy Independence Day!