Christmas with the Family

Since this was an away Christmas for our children, we decided to have our christmas party last Sunday. Boy, did we have fun!! First we had a wonderful dinner, followed by a Christmas program, then the presents and finally the chocolate fountain (which BTW didn't work, but we dipped anyway). Here are some pictures. Sorry, but they are a little mixed up. Here is Allie (Mary) riding her donkey (Brett):

This is Clay before he got into his shepherds outfit. Landon, Emmie, Allie, Logan and Dax.

Here is Clay not too happy about being a shepherd.

These are our little angels--Lexie and Kate

Dax is a wiseman with the gold, Allie as Mary, Landon as Joseph, Emmie as an Angel with the star that she made herself. A little sideline here. As Kim, Amie, Adrien and Lacee were reading from Luke, when it said, "and she laid him in a manger", we realized we forgot the most important person which was the baby Jesus. Nick said, "we lost the baby Jesus, where is the baby Jesus?" While I was running to the toy closet for a baby, our little Kate (2 years old) who was running and skipping around the living room went over to our little Fisher-Price nativity set, picked up the baby Jesus and handed it to Allie (who was the mother Mary). Who said little ones don't pay attention!! Melted everybody's heart.

Here are the wisemen riding on the camels (Jarom, Brion and Scott) Logan and Dax. Easton was the other wiseman somewhere :)

Opening presents. Kim, Amie and kids

We had a wonderful Christmas party. Poor Brett has to put up with Nick and I all by himself this year. Actually, I think he is quiet excited about it! Here's wishing all a very Merry and safe Christmas!

Candle Light Christmas at Heritage Park

The whole family went to Candle Light Christmas at Heritage Park (across from Hogle Zoo) and had a great time. If you have kids, it is a great place to go. There are crafts (button ornaments, christmas spider, christmas hearts, etc) that each child can make. There is a puppet show and an old fashion barn dance where you line up, clap your hands, dosey-doe and dance down the middle of others clapping their hands. There is a live...and I mean live...nativity with Joseph and Mary surrounded by a cow, donkey and lambs. The baby in the manger was not live though...too cold for babies. There was a train that took us to Father Christmas where the families had their pictures taken with Santa. His sleigh and (real) reindeer were outside the house. When Logan came out from seeing Santa, he said, "That wasn't the real Santa." I said, "How do you know?" He said, "Because he had brown shoes on and not black boots!" Here are some pictures: Here are some of the guys-- Here is Easton enjoying the train ride.

Allie, Logan and Emmie enjoying the train ride.

Easton and Logan clapping during the dance.

It was Brion and Lexie's turn to dance down the aisle while we all clapped.

Dax with his Santa's hat on, Allie, Kate and Adrien doing their christmas spiders

Easton, Lexie, Landon, Logan and Dax after the puppet show with the puppets.

Lacee, Dax, Logan, Amie, Landon and Easton making their button wreath ornaments

We really had a great time. I didn't get pictures of Clay, Kim and Spencer, but Clay wasn't feeling very good and so they didn't stay long. That happens when you have little ones. Anyway, if any of you are looking for something fun to do this season, the Candle Light Christmas is one of our favorite activities!!

Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert

Nick and I were lucky enough to get tickets to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert last night. Natalie Cole and David McCollough were the guest performers. It really was wonderful. There were children's choirs from around the Wasatch Front as well as dancers and of course the bell choir.

Richard Elliott (organist for the choir) did a fantastic piece that was just phenomenal. Both his feet and hands were going all over the place!! He made the organ sound like bells, whistles, trumpets and drums. It was amazing.

David McCollough told two stories of how "I'll be Home For Christmas" song came about, as well as "O Little Town of Bethlehem" while the choir sang parts of them.

My favorite part of the program was when Natalie Cole sang "Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire". The reason for this is because it brought back a sweet, sweet memory for me. About 3-4 years ago at our ward's Christmas party, while the kids were putting the Christmas chain on the tree, anyone could go up and tell a story, sing a song or share a talent. Nick and I were sitting in the back and I looked over and found him walking up to the mike. He said he would like to sing one of his favorite Christmas songs, and began singing the above song, acapella and by himself. I was so mesmorized and I felt like he was singing just for me. His voice melted my heart and I fell in love with him all over again. That's why this song means so much to me.

I am so thankful for the Christmas season, for the birth of our Savior and His redeeming love for each of us. May each of us take the time to listen and enjoy wonderful music that brings us closer to Him who gave His life for us, especially during this time of year.