Didn't Have to "Dream" About a White Christmas

Leaving beautiful green Florida and going to Utah with its cold was quite a shock, but I have to say, having a white Christmas was truly beautiful.  Yes, George and I really didn't have to dream of a "White Christmas," we actually were inside Kevin and Angie's nice warm home with Kevin and Kent's family,while looking out at the "White Christmas" outside.
 

 As Natalie pointed out, we even were able to see Santa's reindeer!

 Mother Nature provided a beautiful scene.

 However, when George went out to take a look,

he still wasn't impressed with the snow and cold.  There is no hope that he ever will!!!  (I have to say, I'm not too big a fan either any more.  I just like to look at it from the inside!)

And here was Connor coming in from the outside with bare feet!  He actually tried shoveling the walk with no shoes on!  The kid is crazy!

Then he came back in and got his flip-flops on with his shorts--ahh . . . much better!  I would have still frozen to death!

Christmas Eve was so pleasant.  All the kids got to open their Christmas pajamas. 

Cannon and Grandpa George "just chillin" while the kids opened their Christmas pajamas.

Ella with her "horse" pajamas--what else!  That is still her favorite!

Even her special friend, Rebecca, (her doll) received a new pair of pajamas.

Hannah got some cute owl pajamas . . .

and Lauren (who is becoming as big a B.Y.U. fan as her brothers!) got some Brigham Young pajamas!

Ethan with his basketball p.j.'s,

Kade and

Connor both got B.Y.U. pajamas, too.

 

 Koda, also, got all dressed up.

Now the girls modeled their new jammies and showed their gingerbread house they made on Christmas Eve.

Christmas Morning.  All of the kids were so excited to see what Santa had left in their stockings.

 


When everyone (meaning all the adults were there), the long-awaited present unwrapping began!

 

 

 

It touched my heart to see Ethan helping Cannon unwrap his presents and show them to him. 

 

 

 He is truly loved by his whole family--plus all of his extended family!

It's always so fun to try the new games out!

This was such a cool gift that Kevin and Angie gave Connor.  Connor was one of five chosen for First Team All State in golf, so they had his picture mounted with his award on this beautiful plaque.

I know Taylor was really enjoying being with the family on Christmas this year.

 

Kade is always teaching Koda new tricks.

Natalie's reaction to the new camera lens that Kent got for her!  I love the expression!

I know this looks like a kilt, but it is the new pajama bottoms that George got from Kevin and Angie.

I, also, got new pajamas--flannel for when I got to the cold weather states!

George and I were thrilled with the framed art which has the Idaho Falls Mormon Temple where we were married, plus the date of our marriage on it.  Kent and Natalie had mailed it to our home so that we didn't have to travel with it, so this was a copy of what it would be waiting for us when we arrived home.

Soon, there was nothing but the stacked piles for each individual, and . . .

plenty of empty boxes for next year.  What a truly beautiful Christmas this was.  Thanks to everyone who made it such a special day--we thought of you all that day in your homes.  We wish we could have with you all, but so appreciated the fact that we were able to see all of your between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

   We then went upstairs to a wonderful big breakfast Angie cooked for everyone which included homemade scones and her delicious homemade raspberry jam!  Yum!

Other Memorable Events While We Were in Utah.

Watching Kent pull Hannah's front tooth with a pair of needle-nosed pliers.  Poor Hannah had a tooth that absolutely everyone had tried to pull before we got there--even her school teacher.  It had a long root that wouldn't budge, even when it was turned round and round, so she decided to wait until Uncle Kent came.  There, sitting in a chair watching a football game, he had it out in two seconds without even a tear on either of their parts!

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .


 Going shopping with the kids - This is actually inside a huge, new sports store!  Yes, it is a ferris wheel!




So many things to entertain you while you shopped!
  
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .


Being able to spend some time with our grandson, Taylor, after not seeing him for two years while he was gone on his Mormon Mission.  He looks great!  It was so fun hearing about some of his experiences and seeing how much he has grown the last two years. 

 This was absolutely one of the most thoughtful gifts ever--his girlfriend, Ellie, put together a lot of t-shirts from his mission, plus sayings that he had written in some of his letters, and made him a remembrance quilt of his mission.  Way to go, Ellie!  It was beautiful!

 I loved seeing how excited all his brothers and sisters were to have Taylor home.  Here, he and Hannah, walk together to do a little shopping.
. . . . . . . . . . . . .

Attending the Sunday "Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Symphony" Broadcast.  We were able to sit on the second row.  It was truly fantastic!

Afterwards, we met up with my brother Jerry, his wife Shelly, and two of their children, Austin and Allison.

Plus, my sister Beverly, and my dad.  We all enjoyed the program so much.  It really made you feel the true meaning of Christmas which is all about the Savior and remembering Him during this special season.
. . . . . . . . . . . . .

Being there as George ordained Kevin a High Priest.  He had been recommended for this higher priesthood by his bishop and then called by the Stake President.  He waited until we arrived in Utah in order to have his dad ordain him.  This was really a special ordination!

Yes, the days we spent in Utah with family were so special!  Thanks Kevin and Angie, Kent and Natalie, and all the grandkids for making us feel so welcome!