Temple Square at Christmas

No snow this time, so much more delightful getting around to see everything.

Halie and Lexi loved it!

Buxton Christmas Party

The Buxton party was held at Lamar and Margaret Ann's senior community club house in Lehi this year. Dinner brought and shared by all. Blake and Dayna did a great job putting it together.

Kristin and Lexi having a fun moment.

Kids acting out the Nativity while Blake narrated. Joseph, Mary, Lexi's new doll (from Josh the hour before) was the baby Jesus, shepherds and angels.

Wisemen and the star, below.

Presenting their gifts.

Jessica sharing her ballet talent.

Kristin singing "Silent Night"

Hunter rocking around the Christmas tree, with Camron as a back-up dancer.

BOY!!

Sheila and Jon went in for Sheila's official ultrasound today. They wanted the results to be a surprise for Christmas, but someone forgot to tell the doctor! He went in after viewing the video announcing, "So, you're having a boy!" We are so happy for them, even if they're mad that it spoiled their Christmas surprise. It just came early! All looks on track for around May 4th. Sheila has been less sick and able to do more, so her life is close to normal....for her! She gave me permission to tell, so I'm starting here.

The elated grandma!

Visit with Josh and family

Sheila was able to get permission to take Josh, now 7, his Christmas presents this weekend, on our way to the Buxton Christmas party, held in the same town. Josh was so excited to meet all of us, especially Halie. The two of them hit it off pretty well. They've known about each other for some time now. There was some gift exchanging between them all.

Halie has been asking for a pink Barbie car, and Josh gave her one!

Halie was just as excited to give Josh his lego gifts.

Mike, Karen, Josh, and Sheila's family.

I'm sure there will be future meetings for these cute kids.

It was a very joyful and natural experience for all. A wonderful Christmas gift.

Thanks Mike, Karen and Josh for making us feel so welcome and comfortable.

Mother memories

Remembering my mother, who turned 84 this weekend. Some already received a little tribute I sent her for her birthday, but here are more early photos of her, and dad, before and just after having me, their first child.

Yes, pilot dad took mom up for a little ride over her farm. Probably the only time he ever did that!

She looks a little apprehensive.

Much more comfortable around swimming pools.

Posing in front of her farm home outside Charlotte, NC.

She graduated from Queens, 1948. History and English.

She and dad married in NC a few months after her graduation.

First home in Boulder, Colorado, where dad was completing his degree in Civil Engineering.

A new mom exactly one year later!

They made California their home when schooling was completed.

Christmas programs

Kristin after one of several Salt Lake Childrens Choir performances this season. This was at a nice LDS Chapel in bountiful, that sponsors a community program each year. An orchestra, harpest, organist, bell choir, and soprano soloist performed in addition to the childrens choir.

Sheila and family putting up our Christmas tree. Lexi's first time to be involved.

Christmas is pretty exciting!

And wonderful.

Christmas delight!

All done!

Camron and Rosie at Tyler's fun 3rd grade program.

They really did a top notch job with the songs, choreography, and props. Very entertaining, and Tyler loved participating. He's there on the back row in glasses before the program began.

They incorporated several quick pop songs into "Once There was a Snowman"

A stop at Wendy's afterwards.

Kristin's choir performing at a community event. Utter chaos with Santa and Mrs. Claus on stage, with a line of parents and children all around the building, inside and out! Several groups of dancers and singers performed in succession all morning. This is the room the choir practices in every week, the Columus Center in South Salt Lake, so as payback for using the room free, they perform for the center each year. Children in the choir come from as far away as Heber and Eagle Mountain. This is the Wednesday group. There is a Tuesday group of more experienced singers. They combine at the Church of the Madeline performance each year.

Ralph Woodward, their director. He's been doing this for more than 30 years.

Ward Christmas party last night. Lexi not interested in sitting on Santa's lap.

Below, Camron singing loud enough to be heard at Tyler's Christmas program. I don't know how to rotate videos, so enjoy sideways!