Special Delivery

Yesterday we went out to watch the boys for awhile for Jessica and as you can see we received a couple of very special packages while we were there. Spencer couldn't wait to get into this box but when it was closed he was scared and wanted out. Not to be out done Caleb decided to give it a try. They are so cute they make me laugh.

Surprise!

What could be in that Box?

We didn't think he could fold up that small.

Getting out wasn't quite as easy, especially when he was giggling so hard. Who needs fancy toys when you can play with a great box?

"Tradition-Tradition"

Christmas time is family time! We got together with some of Kerry's family for lunch the day that he returned from Honolulu. It was good to be with them for awhile and wish that Joel and his family could have been with us too! I forgot to take pictures while everyone was here, where was my camera. But I managed to snap a couple as the boys were watching Polar Express with a couple of their favorite aunts (they have quite a few favorite aunts). The aunts just love the snuggle time!

One of our "Traditions" is to go to Temple Square every few years. We tried to find a night that we could all go but with every one's busy schedules we decided that we would have to make a couple of trips. The first trip was with Rachel and Cameron. As usual the lights were beautiful and it is one of my favorite things to do, but it was sooooooo cold. We went to The Lion House Pantry for dinner first and then went to see the lights. Mmmm you gotta love those Lion House Rolls. After dinner we decided to brave the cold and made stops inside the Tabernacle, The Assembly Hall and The North Visitors Center to get a little warmer. We took a few pictures along the way. It was fun to spend time with them. Before we took Trax back to our car we went across the street and got a cup of Hot Chocolate to warm us up one more time.

This nice gentleman took this picture so that we could all be together in one.






With all of the talk of Traditions over the last few months it has become kind of bittersweet for me. I love them all but to see some of them starting to fade or change has made me very emotional the last few weeks. Just yesterday I heard one daughter say, "It's bound to happen sooner or later mom." And I know that, it just seemed to happen to fast and it certainly doesn't make it any easier! A song from Fiddler on the Roof started spinning through my head and some of my girls would laugh but the Tradition song makes me happy. As I started singing that another stuck in my brain that is very tender right now.

Sunrise Sunset

(Tevye)Is this the little girl I carried?

Is this the little boy at play?

(Golde)I don't remember growing older

When did they?

(Tevye)When did she get to be a beauty?

When did he grow to be so tall?

(Golde)Wasn't it yesterday

When they were small?

(Men)Sunrise, sunset

Sunrise, sunset

Swiftly flow the days

Seedlings turn overnight to sunflowers

Blossoming even as we gaze

(Women)Sunrise, sunset

Sunrise, sunset

Swiftly fly the years

One season following another

Laden with happiness and tears

(Tevye)What words of wisdom can I give them?

How can I help to ease their way?

(Golde)Now they must learn from one another

Day by day

(Perchik)They look so natural together

(Hodel)Just like two newlyweds should be

(Perchik & Hodel)Is there a canopy in store for me?

(All)Sunrise, sunset

Sunrise, sunset

Swiftly fly the years

One season following another

Laden with happiness and tears

As I have read and reread the words to this song I thought of my dad who really love this movie in the 70's. He wasn't one who saw many movies nor did he see many over but this was one of his favorites. He would have this look in his eye when this song played and now I understand that look very well. To all who may read this, take advantage of the time together, enjoy the Sunrise because the Sunset comes to quickly.

What Is Christmas?

Last night I went visiting teaching with my companion for the month of December and we were just visiting when one of them shared a thought with us. She had heard a devotional that had stuck in her mind and the is what she told us...

There are those who are excited for Christmas each year and of course Santa is a large part of that feeling. Those who can't wait to buy the gifts and see them opened and are all involved in the decorating and so forth. When the gifts are gone then so is Christmas until next year.

There are those who focus on the "Baby Jesus" and try to bring that spirit and message into their lives more but as with those mentioned earlier it ends with Christmas and isn't talked about much more than that.

Then there are those who not only celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ but his life, sacrifice and atonement as well. They are the ones that who feel the spirit at Christmas time but throughout the year as well.

I thought about that for quite awhile when I got home and it made me realize that while all of the decorating and presents and everything is fun and in a large part a tradition the most important part of Christmas really that very special gift we have all been given. Something that is ours always not just at Christmas time. I want to try harder to reflect that in this coming year. I am grateful for my Savior Jesus Christ, his birth, his life, his death and atonement, his sacrifice for all of us. What a beautiful gift!

Merry Christmas

I went to Festival of Trees with Rosemarie on Friday last week. It was the first time in many years that I have gone. First of all it was fun to spend some time with Rosemarie and to just talk for a little while. I probably won't go back for a few more years because of the changes in the way things are presented but here are a few of my favorite trees.

This one was very simple but it was my very favorite tree. As we approached it there was a large group of girls standing in front of the tree having their picture taken. They had made the decorations as an Actvity Day Group and were so excited to have it there and that it was sold. The garland was hand tied pieces of fabric as well as other ornaments. They were so cute to watch that it made the whole event worthwhile.

This one was taken for Kerry with the Hawaiian theme in mind. What you can't see is all of the shells on the tree.

There were several tree based on the theme of Twilight so I took them for Rebecca.

This one was so cute that I couldn't pass it up even though it really doesn't fit in the category of a tree.

This one was produce by the Holdman Gallery and was a lot of fun to see since it was timed with music. Where would you store this?

This was the best of the Twilight trees and there was quite a crowd around it, there was a lot to take in from the ornaments to all of the stuff that was around it. We didn't go through all of the wreath's and other displays that were in the auditorium but it was fun to see a lot of the trees and the festivities. Mostly fun to spend time with my big sister!

After having Kerry home for three weeks it was very difficult to drop him off at the airport this morning for his return trip to Honolulu. Especially since I was sick the first half of the time he was home and I wasn't much company, I was afraid to be around him because I didn't want him to get sick or return to Honolulu sick. We were able to get a little of the Christmas shopping done and some of the Holiday decorations up but it just isn't the same for the Holidays without him around. I hate to wish time away but hopefully the next two weeks will go quickly so that he can return to be with us again.