Random December

Mike and I were put in charge of our ward's Christmas party. We chose to go with a Nativity theme and had a Nativity on each table along with a children's live Nativity. For not being a decorator or party planner I was pleased with how it ended up. We borrowed the stable from Tracy and Robert Walker in the stake. 

 

Audrey the entrepreneur decided to draw a couple dozen pictures and sell them to family and friends. She made a killing 

We continued our tradition of going to the Nutcracker

Audrey lost another took! Always exciting. (And a little bloody) 

Sarah's Friend Xavi sent us both Nativities from Angola, Africa, and they're amazing! His mom Dolly brought them over and I was blown away by how beautiful they are. Wonderful additions to our collection. 

Temple Trip with Sarah

 Sarah made the decision to go through the temple to receive her endowment. (If anyone wonders what that is, I would recommend THIS or THIS simple video explanation.) The Provo City Center temple is her favorite, so that is the one she chose to go through. We had a small hiccup when her living ordinance recommend was left in Cedar City, and then her reissuance was done incorrectly, but they got it figured out. It was a beautiful evening and we felt honored to experience this with her. 

Merry Christmas!

 We went to the aquarium and were pleased to find out Santa was there. Audrey and the Buehner girls liked meeting them. 

I always love visiting Erik's cemetery around Christmas. It's full of light and love, and not depressing. Death is sad, but I'm so grateful for the knowledge that it isn't the end of our lives, or our time with loved ones. I love the joy of Christmas and opportunity to focus on Jesus and His life and gifts to us. 

We decided to 3D print ornaments for our neighbors this year and I liked how they turned out

Christmas Eve Pajamas (It's July, and I don't remember why the boys weren't in the picture) 

I think the favorite gift was to Gray Dancer. He loves his wife and her "Beefy arms"

A couple days later we celebrated with the Starleys and I failed at getting good pictures. 

Trip to Estes Park

 Since we didn't go to EP in October we "needed" to go in December. We like to go twice a year to make sure everything looks good as well as to visit family. I'd prefer to go in the fall, but winter in Estes Park is nice. The fun event for this trip was the boys doing the polar plunge. The river and pond were iced over, so it was fun to walk on it to and from Coffee on the Rocks. 

Our first day there, the boys decided to go sledding... into the freezing water. I think Steven was the only one to do it, and he went twice.  (Only one video would upload) 

The next day, the boys decided to do the polar plunge. Mike, Steven and Tommy did it, followed by  Alison, Dave, Steven, Roland, Loisl, Alison, and Isabel.

In the evening, we played games and enjoyed each other's company. I love my family and am grateful for the opportunity we had to buy our place in Estes Park. It's been a financial and familial blessing.