Christmas 2008

What a wonderful week of Christmas we have had.  It is always so fun getting together with family and friends and enjoying the Christmas Spirit.  And it has been an extra fun week with lots of snow.

It all began last Saturday, Dec 20.  The Saturday before Christmas is ALWAYS Mark's family's Christmas Party.  We went to the homestead in Santaquin and all loaded in cars and went to the Assisted Living where Paige works and sang Christmas Carols with the residents.

This was by far my favorite part of the evening.  We then worked our way back to Grandma and Grandpa's for dinner, visiting, reading of the Christmas story from the scriptures and a few gifts for the little ones.

Then on Tuesday, Dec 23 we headed to Thanksgiving Point to see Reindeer in person.  Grandma Pat joined us and we met Mark as he got off work.  But trying to get the kids and Reindeer in the same picture was tough.  They sure were cute.  We enjoyed a bite at the Deli and then drove through Holiday Lights to get us feeling very festive. 

Christmas Eve brought Brent and Kyleen up from Las Vegas and we enjoyed a fabulous Turkey Dinner, visiting and another program at Grandma Pat's.

We made it home in time to write letters to Santa and put a plate of cookies and carrots for Santa and the Reindeer.  And sometime in the night our living room was transformed into this . . .

The children were told no presents would be opened if Mom and Dad were woken up before 6:30 am.  And on the dot some "awakening" noises were heard through the heater vents.  The girls could barely contain their excitement.  And John proved he closed his eyes as he went to the stairs.

There was fun and excitement for all.

And then we began the visiting rounds again.  A trip to Santaquin before the storms got too bad and then the afternoon at Grandma Pat's.  So the only thing left to say about the day is

Merry Christmas to All and to All a Good Night!

And we are looking forward to more fun when Will and Melissa arrive tomorrow.  We will miss Kim and Tom who are stuck down in Arizona.  After emergency surgery to have Tom's spleen removed two weeks ago, traveling was not part of their changed plans.