December was packed with wonderful times.
This is the Christmas tree the kids and I picked out together.
Eve wrapped up her fall semester classes. Here she was learning in her forestry class...
She wrapped up her fall semester and came home in the middle of finals to see Sheri in her Nutcracker show. Look at the beautiful, (symbolic) sunset during her last fall semester.
Both Sheri and Christian auditioned for All- Region on Dec 8th and were placed in an All-Region band. They will both have a concert in January. Both were recognized at their Christmas concerts for their placement at All-Region.
Christian loves percussion and gets to learn so many instruments. Here he is with the other percussionists at his concert.
Also, with the 7th grade band
With the other 7th graders that made an All-Region Band.
Nutcracker week came next in December. This was a big enough experience to require a post of its own. Feel free to read about that in my prior post.
During Nutcracker week we loved having our family come into town. Matt and Wendy came in on Thursday, Dec 11th, and my parents, Scott, Jen, Eleanor, Clara and Eve came in on Friday, the 12th. It was a full house, but lots of fun! Here Sheri got a little down time with Matt after her first 2 shows on Thursday. Snuggling with their dad is still one of those moments I love to capture, even after all these years. I always feel such gratitude!
On Saturday morning Matt took his mom, and my dad to see Palo Duro Canyon. The rest of us were busy taking care of daily things, enjoying our relaxation time, or preparing for Nutcracker. I appreciate my dad and Matt sharing their photos with me!
Here we all are at the Nutcracker.
Sunday morning after church we enjoyed the ward linger longer with our families and then they headed back to Colorado. Here Christian is with the snickerdoodles I made. That kid is always good for a laugh!
We didn't get much snow in December but we did get a visit from Jack Frost,
During the next week Eve finished her final tests and papers. Not a bad way to take finals. :)
I helped with the Salvation Army Angel Tree Distribution. I felt so much joy knowing that families that were struggling this holiday season would feel remembered and loved!
And Sheri had a band concert and finished her fall semester. Here she is being honored for making All-Region Band.
All the Bushland Band
Sheri with her fellow drum majors
A beautiful girl that makes beautiful music!
We love and appreciate her band directors, Mr. Bennington and Ms. Henson, who do so much to encourage, support, and teach Sheri.
Sheri was also able to go ice skating with her dance friends this week.
Christian was able to exchange Christmas gifts with Charlotte and Andy this week.
We enjoyed having extra time with Eve.
Here she is in the greenhouse
and with her Christmas luggage set.
On Sunday, the 21st Christian played the glockenspiel during the opening hymn, Sheri played her flute with the choir, and I accompanied the Primary in their song. Sheri also played in a flute trio earlier in the month.
This is a photo with Melissa Pearson. We loved that we were both wearing sapphire blue. Melissa has been great about reaching out and including our family even before I arrived here in Amarillo. She is an example of devoting herself to service and is a good friend!
On the evening of Dec 22nd we drove to Colorado and enjoyed our Murray family talent show. It's always fun to see how our family members are using and developing their talents. I especially loved hearing my mom read my Grandad's poem that Nicolle illustrated into a book.
Sometime I'd like to get a full version of the narration. Until then, I'm sure glad I get to hear my mom narrate at least part of this beautiful poem.
On Monday, Dec 22, Christian passed his up-dose and will now take 1/8th of a tsp of peanut each day.
We loved playing games together and enjoyed the lovely beauty of the mountains and cozy dome home.
Christmas morning we enjoyed stockings, pastry wreath, and presents.
I loved getting to talk with Elder Smith and feel so grateful for the sweet family that had him and his companion over for Christmas dinner!
We wanted to stay and enjoy Grandma and her lovely home a little longer, however we had planned to leave mid afternoon so that we would get some time on Christmas with the Murrays. I am grateful we headed back to Denver because Ivan had to leave the next day and it was good to see him. It was lovely to be with the Murrays again.
On the day after Christmas we went to Top Golf with the Robinsons and their clan. It was a nice way to get some fresh air and a change of pace.
Then we went to a Chinese restaurant and then relaxed at the Cammack's house where we would be staying for the next 5 days.
That evening, we took the kids to do baptisms while Eve, Annie and I did initiatories.
Another snuggle photo, my favorite!
We enjoyed our time with the Cammacks very much! It was fun to play games, go on walks, try new foods (this is Brazilian soda), play with cousins and snuggle cats. Hannah and Joseph made us feel very welcome and were lovely hosts!
On the 27th we spent the day in Fort Collins watching the BYU/Georgia Tech Pop-tart Bowl with Jeff, Stacey, Ivy, Sky, and Wendy. Earlier in the month Matt and Christian were looking forward to the BYU bowl game and prepared with a massive box of Pop-tarts.
It was a close game, but BYU won, 25-21. We ate extra Pop-tarts for good luck.
On the 29th Scott and I took the kids to the used bookstore and Little Man Ice cream in the evening.
Christian got some fun cousin time with Jonathan when they went to the trampoline park and also when they went swimming at the rec center with Mary and Charlotte (who came up with Marianne from Amarillo to spend New Year's Eve with us).
We rang in the New Year with games, a spread of snack foods, and many watched the finale of Stranger Things. Matt, Eve, and I were happy to go to bed early!
The next day we packed up our things and the kids went to stay with Jen and Scott while Matt and I spent time together in Denver. We checked into the Bed and Breakfast that we stayed in 25 years ago, the Capitol Mansion B &B. Then we went to dinner and enjoyed the time to talk and not hurry anywhere.
The next morning, on Jan 2nd (our 25th anniversary) we window shopped in Denver, went to Casa Bonita, and went to the temple to do sealings. It was lovely to be together. We stayed at the Inverness Hotel that evening. It was a low key anniversary celebration but we plan to do something bigger at some point. However, I was just content to be with my best friend. I feel forever grateful that he asked me to marry him!
Meanwhile the kids enjoyed hanging out with Scott and Jen playing games, exploring Monument, and enjoying yummy food. Jen and Scott always make life fun and they were very good to our kids!
We picked the kids up on the 3rd and drove back to Texas. On the way home we stopped at Capulin Volcano for a short hike.
It was great to be back home and enjoy a little more time together before Eve had to headed back to school, and Matt to work! We feel so blessed for these special moments!
We especially missed Sterling this holiday season but are very grateful for all he is doing to follow the Savior! We are grateful that we were able to talk with him on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Here are some of his pictures.
Elder Smith and Sister Faust like to joke and have fun.
Sterling trying out glasses.
This was an early Christmas present I sent Sterling. It is an advent Lego set.
I think he must wonder why it is so hot and humid. - It is the middle of summer there.
Sterling and his district have been enjoying soccer on P-days. This was a zone wide soccer day.
Zone Conference
He always finds a cute animal.
"Well this doesn't seem to be the right road. (I knew I should've taken that left at Albuquerque.)"
"Nothing can keep Elders from service projects!"
This is a gift from some members.
These are the sweet members who hosted Elder Smith and Elder Blazer on Christmas!
The elders delivering Christmas cookies
This is the last Christmas on his mission.
"O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree."
You can see the joy I have when I get to video call!
We are so blessed to be able to talk with Sterling every week. Sterling has been giving his whole heart and strength to bringing others to Christ. He is doing his best to act in faith and accepting the mission president's challenges. He is finding peace and joy in the Lord's service. We are grateful he has been protected, blessed with good friends, and learning to follow and teach by the Spirit.
It has been a remarkable year! We feel tremendously blessed! We are especially grateful for our family, our health, our abundance, our freedoms, our temple marriage, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ!
No comments:
Post a Comment