Ward Christmas Party

 Tonight was our ward Christmas party.  Rachel was in charge of transforming the church into Bethlehem and she did an awesome awesome awesome job.  The pictures we took just do not do justice to the event. 

 Everyone was invited to dress in period costumes, we ate on blankets and went to different markets to buy our food.  After dinner there was a live nativity with carols and a nice program.

 It was a beautiful way to celebrate the season.  It was a lot of fun to eat and visit with our friends and to reflect on the birth of our Saviour.

Now we are all home and the lights are out.  The children are jammied up and we are all piled on my bed ready to read the scriptures.  I am particularly grateful this night to have all my family safe and sound.

Camp Aquaesco

 Friday/Saturday the Brownies had a camp out.  When I signed us up for it in October it sounded like a great idea.  By Friday afternoon I was dreading going.  It's chilly out. 

Anyway, it turned out better than I had feared.  Lu had a wonderful wonderful time.  Which made it worth it.  We drove out to the middle of nowhere where the girl scouts have one of their camps.  There is a primitive site but we were in the lodge.  Lucky.  We did spend a lot of time outdoors, hiking, building a fire, making smore, doing skits but we got to sleep inside.

 The girls were up until 1am ish.  Lu started out in the front of the room with the girls, then moved back to where I was, then ended up on my twin size air mattress with me.  Comfy.

The Cadettes who invited our troop were very nice.  They taught the girls lots of songs and games and played with them the whole time.  The girls also did  the cooking and cleaning. 

It was fun visiting with the other moms and while I didn't love sleeping in the room with 30 other people it was okay and I did get some sleep.

X

 Two mornings ago Grace could not find Xavier any where.  This was very disappointing.  Then when we walked out the door to go to school we saw him planting something in the garden...very strange.

This morning we got up and found his garden had grown! That's how we get all those cute candy canes, it's elven magic!

pumpkin pie face

Look how cute this little one is!  She's getting so big! Can't wait to see her again...in three months:(

service

advertising

 This Christmas we decided to do one service project per week.  When I told the kids my "great idea" they were happily receptive.  We came up with a list of projects we want to do.  We did our first project last week.  It was good.  Exhausting.  Lu, Han and I went together and almost collapsed when we were done.  :)

This weeks project the kids decided to do a bake sale to earn money so they could buy a goat and some chickens through heifer international.

The Martines family joined us in our efforts.  The kids all did the baking. We made signs, advertised on facebook then set up shop. 

baking

 It was a chilly night and the kids abandoned Colleen and I for the warmth of the house and the lure of the electronics.  We had a fun visit in the quiet, dark night.

 We had a lot of generous customers and earned $150!! Enough to buy a goat and a herd of chickens!! Yay!

some of our first customers

 When we closed up shop we had some cookies left so we made up a plate and went to the fire station and sang and gave them treats to thank them for all their hard work.

Twas a good night.

counting the money at the end of the night

VT Brunch

 

 Maliea and I joined forces with Monique and Lydia to have a brunch for the sisters we visit teach.

It was very nice.  We had it at my house and we made fruit and french toast casserole, muffins, quiches, hot chocolate and juice.  Every ate and visited and I think had a really nice time.  It was fun to have friends over in the middle of the day.

Maliea making hot chocolate at the stove.  She came early to help me get ready.

Sadly Lindsey was obstructed in our group picture :(

best gifts

The best gifts I have ever got were not things that could be bought at the store.

John 3: 4 I have no greater ^ajoy than to hear that my ^bchildren ^cwalk in truth.

Six years ago these two cute kids went to the Mt Timpanogos Temple and were married for time and all eternity.  What a joyful, wonderful, happy day!  It has been wonderful for me to see them grow and do what is right.  They are awesome parents to the cutest little girls ev-ah! They are kind and thoughtful to each other.  I could write down every proud and happy adjective and that would not begin to describe the feelings of my heart. 

You hope that you children will be better than you are. Will live better and be more obedient and good.  I honestly feel that way about Dani and Greg. 

Love you guys! and Happy Anniversary!!

 

 ...and now, in 3 months these two will go to the  Manti Temple and make those same eternal promises.  Again I am thrilled.  I couldn't be more pleased with their careful and righteous choices and actions.  I am excited to see them wed and to watch them grow. 

2 down (almost) and 4 to go! 
Looking forward to many more temple trips.  Many more sacred covenants entered into and lived.  Missions and weddings, that's the good stuff.  The reward for the work.  I am a blessed mom.