December 2013

December was busy with the usual activities as well as seasonal activities. I was especially busy with miscellaneous events, a craft fair here, a wedding there, the church Christmas party, gingerbread/concert night for Sheri at school, Christmas shopping etc. We also planned a night to get together with friends and attend the gingerbread festival at the Historic Mormon Trail Center. We invited lots of friends and were pleased that the Spanglers, the Mergens, and the Roop family were able to join us. The kids had a great time showing them around the Trail Center and then we went home for cocoa, Christmas goodies, and games. This was a lot of fun! We hope to have friend nights more often!

Here are some pics from Sheri's concert/gingerbread night as well as the gingerbread festival/game night.



We decided to open our family gifts before heading out for the holidays. So Friday, the 20th we opened gifts after the kids got out of school. We wanted to keep it simple this year. It was nice not to have too many presents so that we could really enjoy the ones we got! The kids especially enjoyed picking out gifts for each other and watching each other open them. Also, thanks to all those who gave us gifts this year! We felt so happy and blessed!



After our ward Christmas party on the 21st, we headed to Colorado and had mostly safe roads. There was just one small stretch that was treacherous because of black ice. We were happy to be with my family again, and especially enjoyed the Christmas talent show. Thanks to Awesome Aunt Jennifer, Sheri lost her first tooth!



Monday, December 23rd we drove to Aspen Grove (Utah) to meet up with the Smiths for a family reunion. This was such a great reunion! Everything was planned well, there were many fun activities, and I thoroughly enjoyed the rest and relaxation while catching up with family! On the evening we arrived, we decorated stockings, made a handprint Christmas tree, and then were given room assignments. Each room had Christmas pajamas made for each of us personally by Jeff and Stacey. Pretty darn cool!



On Tuesday (Christmas Eve), half of the group went skiing and the other half went snow shoeing and sledding. Just look at the beautiful surroundings!




The evening was the Nativity. Everyone had an assigned part. The program was well written, including songs, and everyone enjoyed participating. (I photographed :) )



Christmas morning was complete fun including stockings, egg nog, Christmas pastry wreath, a one present gift exchange (perfect amount of time), and family all around! The only bad part of the day was that Katie's family had some sickness and had to leave early. We were all very sad to see them go! One especially sweet note, is that Mary Jane made matching clip-on earrings for all the girl cousins. They couldn't have been more delighted, especially Sheri who has been wanting earrings for a while.



We spent the rest of the day relaxing, sledding, enjoying Christmas dinner, playing games, eating Christmas cookies and talking.


Thursday, December 26th we drove down to Provo to go Ice skating.



In the afternoon we had more free time to play games, eat lunch, hit a pinata, eat dinner, and then the adults went to the Timpanogos temple. I am grateful for all those wonderful cousins who took care of all the little ones so that we could go.



Friday morning we packed up everything and headed out. We were sad to say goodbye.


We headed down to Provo to acquire some BYU clothing and then headed north. We enjoyed the Church History museum and then saw the lights on Temple Square. We then drove up to West Point to see Grandma Iola Murray and Ivan. Grandma looked just beautiful! She was beautiful, happy, and seemed very well. I think Ivan has been taking good care of her! Ivan also looked good and as always, enjoyed the kids. It was great to hear his news.



Saturday we drove back to Colorado. This trip felt a bit long and I think Christian was tired of his car seat! When we arrived in Colorado we went to Jennifer's house for Hannah's early birthday celebration. Hannah looked beautiful as always! We ADORE Hannah! We enjoyed salad, pizza, root beer, ice cream, and presents. We were grateful to be out of the car but pretty worn out. Sterling had an ear infection and so we were surely grateful for a comfortable place to sleep at my parents' house that night!



The next few days were spent going to church, dinner together,visiting with Sara Ker, a pediatician visit, hanging out at Annie's with family and Christina, going to lunch, watching Anne of Green Gables (Eve loves it now too), and talking about goals. Matt worked Monday and Tuesday. New Year's eve we spent at Jennifer's house hanging out and playing games. I am afraid I was a bit worn out and consequently only wanted my mattress to see the new year in. :) I had a nice time anyway. Here are a few pics of the week.



I was so grateful to see all of our family this trip. Pretty amazing! I think I saw every member of my family and Matt's family (not including our aunts, uncles, grandparents etc.) What more could you want for Christmas? What a wonderful trip! We drove home on our 13th wedding anniversary and to celebrate, tucked into our own beds!

Happy 2014 everyone!