Christmas

The big day was almost here! Lots of gift wrapping (some done while in Utah), guessing on what gifts could be under the tree, cinnamon rolls prepped the night before, and an intense game of Monopoly with Grandma Wilson! We spent Christmas Eve being spiritually fed with some nice videos on the Savior, as well as reading from the bible of His birth. We read some Christmas books and it was really nice.
Christmas morning we have a tradition of reading the "gifts" we have done for Jesus throughout the month and then putting those acts of service inside the gift box. Since we had Gma and Pipa Wilson with us, we invited them to participate as well. I think the boys recognize that Christmas is more about the Savior vs. gifts and they were happy to do that too.
One by one we opened up the gifts and tried to take our time so that the boys would recognize and enjoy the moments. I don't even remember most of the gifts given or received; a few basketballs, pocket knives, a bracelet loom, candies, some slippers and perfume. Every year the magic comes and goes so quickly, but hopefully our boys felt Christ's love in our home and special in our hearts.

 

Utah Road Trip Sunday

Chased Kariann down Sunday morning after she and I were finally both "ready" at the same time (although I do NOT like how fat my face looks!!!). What a beautiful woman she is! We headed over to Sandy to spend the morning and church service with our old friends the van Zyverden's. Shellie made a yummy homemade soup and bread, and the boys were thrilled to see their old buddies. Wesley especially wanted to hold the baby girl Millie! We caught up  on our lives for a bit, but then it was time to wrap up and bundle up all these little kiddos to get to church on time! It was a full meeting, so we ended up being on the front row of all places. ha! 

After church was just as special b/c we met up with my cousins Meg and Clint Christensen in their home. They are always so gracious and inviting. We laughed and just felt comfortable being in their home. We then headed over to my tia Estela's house where we had a great little dinner spread with all my cousins that were in town. It meant so much to me to see everyone! I roamed and waddled from person to person with hugs and smiles and just wanting to know everything about their lives. Some I hadn't seen in 5 years, or had had children that I had never seen or met! 

Clint read us a Christmas story that the kids loved, and we all just sat around laughing. So fun to just relax and laugh with family members! Made me want to move back to Utah for moments like that. After many hugs and kisses, we wrapped things up and headed back to Kariann's for one last night.

Bright and early the next day we started cleaning up our mess! Did as many chores as we could think of and then loaded up the car for a drive back. We spent a few hours in St George, got lost looking for a Chick Fil A (which made us more delayed) and eventually headed back to AZ, arriving at midnight. Boys were solid travelers and Jared did great driving. I was nervous around Wickenburg that maybe I could go into labor, in the middle of nowhere in the middle of the night...but all was well and we survived. Even my swollen and tingling feet and hands made it! So glad we went to Utah, that it snowed, that I saw my family and we were safe! 

Utah Road Trip Wedding

The big wedding! Jared and i left our kids with a babysitter and headed to Temple Square for a wedding dinner at the Joseph Smith Memorial building. It was FREEZING, especially for us Arizonians! Now that I think of it, we should've walked around the temple grounds and enjoyed the lights b/c we never made it back to see them! It was too cold and the boys opted to go home and watch a movie. 

I was thrilled to see my girl Michelle! She was radiant and happy and just beaming. I brought her my homemade pillows "Mr and Mrs" that I had done for her and she was really touched by them. We stayed until everyone had left so that I could have a little one on one time with her (since I knew the next day would be chaos).  I loved being on a date with my special man and also sharing some thoughts and insights with Michelle for her new marriage. 

The next day we bundled up and headed to the temple. Tio Gavin was brave and kind enough to keep the 4 boys at the mall and take them shopping while we attended the sealing. We had arrived with enough time (but got behind a slow couple by the dressing rooms!!!) to go to a live session....but, they closed the doors and told us we were out of luck. I was so bugged! Hard to have a nice spirit after not being successful (even though we traveled all the way from AZ!). Instead we listened to some sealings (which were also full of people) and then sat in the Celestial Room for like an hour. Very ornate and antiqued! I caught a little glimpse of Michelle as she was getting ready for her sealing, which was special :)  The ceremony was simple and lovely and awesome. I was so happy for Michelle and it was great being around her family too.

After some cold wedding pictures (Levi kept saying "temple!!!), we loaded up with the boys to get some lunch at the Brick Oven pizza/pasta. The boys loved it! I ordered tons of pasta, but of course no questions were asked with my huge belly showing. 

We got changed up for the wedding reception, poor Levi just taking naps wherever he could from being off schedule. The reception hall was really pretty, with Christmas lights everywhere, a hot cocoa buffet and of course snacks. I mingled with the family members and tried to stay off my stiletto heels! Our boys were pretty bored and energetic, but we lasted until she cut the cake. Then it as home to a toasty fireplace, movie, a massage for mama and big sleepover on the floor!