Christmas Activities

With my dad's passing, this year's Christmas activities were hit and miss this year.  We tried to get in as much as we could but missed a few of our traditional outings.

We got together with the family one night for a chili dinner, caroling, hot chocolate and a Christmas program.

 Some of our cute carolers

Enjoying some hot chocolate...

Brach and Kendra posing for a picture

Skylar and Sarah holding baby Wyatt.

I didn't get any pictures of our Christmas program but The Phelpses sang Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer and Charles played a song on the piano.

For the Boman's part both Rafe and Scout played a Christmas song on the piano.

Brady sang Silent Night with the sign language.  

I gave a short Christmas Story about the Big Wheel Truckstop and talked about loving and forgiving one another this Christmas.

Rick shared his love for everyone and bore his testimony of the Savior.

The next night the adults met at The Roof Restaurant in downtown SLC.  We had a nice dinner and enjoyed visiting.  Unfortunately it was very loud in the restaurant so it was difficult to share inner conversations.  Next year we will get somewhere a little more private.  Food was good though!

We went down to the lobby on the first floor and got a family picture by one of the trees.

Then we went to go see the lights...

A few days later Rick and I had a nice night out.

We had a super delicious meal at our favorite restaurant, The Capital Grille.

Our server brought us out a free dessert.

Everything was magnificent.

We had a little time before the show started so we went to go check out the Macy's candy windows.

They had some really good ones this year.

                   Then we made our way to the Eccles Theatre for this year's Kurt Bestor Concert.  

We loved every minute of it.  My heart needed this night!

After our time in Vegas for my dad's services we made it back just in time to prepare for Christmas Eve.

It was a really great night with the family!

Little Wyatt is not so little anymore!  he just keeps getting bigger and it makes me kinda sad:(

But he sure looked cute in his Best Gift Ever outfit!

We had a wonderful buffet dinner with our staples...

Chicken and Dumplings and Tamales.

I also made some enchiladas to go with the meal.

Kendra brought wingers wings, artichoke dip and pecan bars.

 Sarah brought a cute wreath relish tray,  jalapeño poppers and Christmas cookies.

Our nativity turned out really well.

The practice run was torturous though.

Somehow, it always works out when it's time for the performance.

Jammie pictures

Phelps family

Kait, Haivyn and Merik

Rick, me and Gary 

The Boman Fam

Isaac and his girls came along for the evening.

It was nice to have them.

Sloan was a little nervous but Naomi fit right in with the kids.

Grams and Gramps with all the littles

The whole clan.

and a couple random pics from the night.

Everyone passed out their Secret Santa gifts for the names that thy had drawn last month and Rick and I opened gifts from our kids.

Grandpa got the boys remote control cars and had to show them all how the worked.

Everyone left by 8:30 and we were left to clean up the tornado.

It took about an hour and then we prepared our stockings for each other and had some down time.

Haivyn and Merik watched Elf and then got into bed.

Oh, here's a picture of all of us in our Diamond RH hats that my nephew Jonathon had made for us.

This one's for you dad!!

We got to sleep in until about eight and then had a leisurely morning unwrapping gifts.

We went to visit the Phelps family and the Boman family and then came back for a late brunch.

The rest of the day was laid back. 

We watch a double feature that night...Little Women and Seasons of the Heart.  

It was a wonderful day!

                                                 Merry Christmas, Everyone!!