December was full of fun highlights.
The beginning of the month wrapped up Christian's rec basketball session. He has grown quite a bit since last year and was on a team of Bushland boys. He had great coaches and was an asset to the team.
We decorated for Christmas and I decided to buy an ornament tree for all my Nutcracker themed ornaments.
Speaking of the Nutcracker, Sheri had fun rehearsals at the Amarillo Civic Center leading up to her performance week. Here she is dressed up Perry the Platypus with Dr.Doofensmirtz for dynamic duo day.
Nutcracker was so beautiful! I loved watching Sheri on stage!!! Warning: picture overload!!!
Lots of costumes!
Sheri with the other Sweetzian Princesses
Candy Cane Princess
With Sugar Plum Cavalier and Princess
Candy Canes
Land of Snow with angels
Harlequin Dolls
Spoiled with 3 bouquets of flowers, this is just one bunch.
Chinese
Napping on the way to rehearsal
I love volunteering at the Nutcracker booth during the school performances! I get to stay close and watch the performances too!
Waltz of the Flowers
Clara's Cousin
Candy Cane Princess
Sheri felt so loved by all who came to see her! It was especially wonderful that Jen and Scott came from Colorado to see the shows. Here is Sheri with Ty.
She made so many happy memories and we are so grateful that she has had this opportunity!
During Nutcracker week Christian had his first band concert. He did a great job and loves percussion! Christian is in the white shirt with the Santa hat.
We certainly had a busy week!
The following week was Sheri's band concert. She was recognized for qualifying for UIL Area competition.
Here Sheri is with her band directors and fellow drum majors.
During this week I spent a few days serving with the Salvation Army in their Angel Tree Program. After collecting gifts and helping to organize them by family we were able to distribute them and see the happiness on the families' faces. It was fun!
Christian was honored at a school awards ceremony for earning 2nd in 6th grade math at the UIL regional competition.
Eve wrapped up her semester at BYU and flew in to Texas on the 18th. She has been loving all the animal snuggles and was even more thrilled to learn that we have 7 new baby bunnies!
Friday, Dec 23rd we were busy with shopping and such but had time in the evening to serve dinner with the missionaries at Salvation Army and have them over for dinner. They are so sweet!
Sheri performed in church on her flute a few times. Her second performance was on the Sunday before Christmas (Dec 22nd). The Christmas sacrament meeting was especially beautiful with all the musical numbers. Christian also played on his glockenspiel during the opening hymn and it added a special touch! Also, I was the only speaker that day (no pressure :)). Here is Sheri on the Sunday she played preludes. I couldn't get pics on the 22nd because I was on the stand.
We drove to Colorado after church on the 22nd and on Monday enjoyed the Murray Christmas talent show. It was pretty special! I only have videos, unfortunately no photos.
On Tuesday, Christmas eve we drove up to Breckenridge, got a tree and stockings set up, made Christmas pastry wreath, and decorated a gingerbread train. Sheri and Christian enjoyed the hot tub. :)
Christmas morning we enjoyed breakfast, stockings, and gifts. Then the kids went with Matt to ski in Loveland. I was content to stay home and have a breather from the busy month. I enjoyed exercising and relaxing at the condo in the beautiful mountain snow.
When they got home we went to the pool and hot tub.
The day after Christmas we went snowshoeing. It was a winter wonderland!
Sheri photo bombed our couple picture.
Then we went to the hot tub/pools again.
On Friday the 27th we packed up and came back to Aurora so we could catch Ivan and other family before he left town and then we hit the temple for baptisms.
Matt, Annie and the kids enjoyed baptisms with their cousins while Eve and I did sealings. Afterwards we got ice cream and saw a house covered in Christmas lights.
On Saturday we went up to Estes Park to enjoy the evening with Matt's mom and brother, Jeff. We enjoyed games, the BYU bowl game and yummy food. I love all the Christmas decor and beautiful mountain scenery.
We drove home on Sunday the 29th.
The rest of December was spent relaxing and playing with bunnies.
The kids also went ice skating.
On New Year's Eve, Eve and I did a fun puzzle that Annie gave us for Christmas and watched a football game. The kids hung out with friends.
Down in Brazil Sterling has been carrying on the work which has been slow. Especially around the holidays lots of people are gone or busy. He has been dealing with lots of rain and consequently, flooding, to the point of sewers backing up. It's not fun to wade through! Lots of missionaries have been sick due to bad water but fortunately Sterling has stayed well. Here are some pics.
They got to decorate gingerbread houses at an area conference.
He stays engaged in the work of finding those looking for the gospel while keeping a sense of humor and staying out of trouble.
"I say unto you, Nay!"
He is focusing on bringing the message of the Savior's church to others.
And though it was hard to be away from his family during the holidays he pushed through the difficulty and tried to stay positive.
Here he is on Christmas. I was able to send him and his companion stockings with a few small presents inside, including lights for his apartment, a game, a tie, and some fun snacks.
I sure miss this sweet boy of mine and can't wait for his return! Giving him up for two years seems only just bearable when I consider all that the Lord has blessed us with. I sure hope that he can find those searching for truth so that we can pay the gifts that we have received forward.
As the year comes to a close we acknowledge how tremendously we have been blessed and sustained. We are grateful for Heavenly Father's plan for us and for the Savior's sustaining influence day by day. We are grateful that He came to earth, taught us the way to return to heaven and paid the price to redeem us from sin and death. Alleluia!
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