What a December we had! I know it is always a busy month but for some reason this year seemed EXTRA busy....here is some of what we were up to!
To start, basketball season officially started for Jake.....6 days a week!! Our life will be filled with practices and games the next couple months! We wish him luck!
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| Jake's teammate who is 6ft 7! |
The month started off with a trip to the LA Temple and to Diddy Reese with the Zeediks. This is a tradition we hope to keep going every year!
Next, we had the most fabulous "Back to Bethlehem" ward party. This one was extra special because it was on a ward members property. We had week old baby goats, bon fires, candle making and story telling. The last 20 minutes they played out the nativity with a miniature pony/donkey and a host of angels/ young women in a tree house above the manger scene. It is a memory that no one there will soon forget. It was such a great way to start the season.
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| 2 of the 3 wise men |
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| candle making |
After the ward party we rushed over to get a Christmas tree....it was very hard to find a night to fit that in!
Something that added to the craziness of the month was that our stake put on a play called
Finding Christmas. It was a huge production that was advertised throughout the community. It had 5 shows and tons of participants and volunteers. Jane and Aubrey were lucky enough to be in it. Jane was in a cute little elf dance and Aubrey was in the youth choir. I was on the hair and makeup committee that was quite fun. We have heard that the response was amazing and that many members and MANY non members attended.
For Christmas this year we decided to head to Utah and spend it with Nathan's family. We always have such a great time with everyone there. We went to the lights at Temple Square, hit the BYU Bookstore and mall and had dinner at Sundance. I even surprised Nate with a night away at the
Sundance Resort...good times.
Every year Grandma Sue has a day called "Grandma's Baking Day." My kids each year see the pictures and are a little sad that they don't get to participate in this fun day. This year because we were coming they waited so that the Caif. cousins could be there. What a fun and crazy day! Gingerbread houses, cookies, crafts and more. I am sure you can imagine the amount of sprinkles on the floor. What a fun tradition Grandma has!
Can't forget the Christmas Eve jammies!
Christmas day was so fun with everyone. The only bummer was that the stomach flu was going around and Jake spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day throwing up. Poor guy:)
On our last day we hit Sundance one more time and the kids spent some more time with their longtime friends the Nelsons! (pics to come)
Thanks to all of you who made our December so memorable! We had such a great time and felt so much love from you all!
We came home to a Christmas tree that was still very much alive and 70 degree weather! We even spent today at the beach! We sure went from one extreme to another! Happy New Year!!
