Cruise of Lights

On Monday night, we all, including Grandma, boarded a boat and cruise around Huntington Harbour to look at the beautiful Christmas lights.  Mom and I stayed on the lower deck, all toasty warm, while everyone else braved the cold on the top deck.  I have to say, the lights were pretty spectacular.

Picture with Santa

Family Nativity

A new tradition that was started a few years ago is a family nativity acted out by the grandkids.  Since everyone wanted to be Mary and Joseph or the angel,  we had the kids pick their parts out of a hat.  Somehow, Sophie and Owen ended up being Mary and Joseph and they were adorable.  I love this new tradition.  The kids have a fun time, but I think it also helps us get focused around the birth of Christ.

...and Kathy makes an amazing donkey.

As always, Todd was the narrator...

Emma and Wyatt were great shepherds...

...and Tayson, Luke, and Carson brought their gifts as the wisemen.

...and Claire was a beautiful angel

The cutest "couple" ever...Sophie and Owen...

curtain call...way go to!

My Favorite Decorations

Monday's Memory--Missionary Tags

As I was decorating the tree this year and came across these, I couldn't help but take a minute to think about these two men.  I am so very proud of them.  They are righteous Priesthood holders who live their beliefs and serve the Lord with their whole hearts. They are amazing dads that make their families their first priority.  They romp and play with their kids and sincerely enjoy spending time with them.  They are loving husbands that put their wives wants and needs above their own.  I just love these guys more than I ever thought possible and am so grateful that they are part of my family.

FHE--Train Time

I love it when it's time to put up the train.  Amy and family came for dinner and FHE.  After a short lesson, the fun (bedlam) began.  It's amazing to me how our train has grown from that one starter set Amy and Todd got one Christmas, to an engine that chugs, whistles, and blows smoke, and enough track to go not only around the tree, but around the entire house.  This year we added a bridge.  We weren't very successful getting it to stand the entire time, but we sure had fun trying.

Monday's Memory--Bell Ringers

Last year, Kathy mentioned that her bell ringer was looking pretty rundown, so I decided to make new ones for both Amy and her.  I remembered that I had this picture from the original time I made the ringers many, many years ago, but I couldn't find it.  After lots and lots of looking...Tah dah...I found it.  This is Milo helping by holding the braid, Christmas Eve, 1975.  I was 4 months pregnant with Todd!