Christmas Break 2018

We loved our Christmas break this year.  We followed tradition and drove around and looked at Christmas lights.  We added a little something new this year, and had a scavenger hunt.  We each picked a Christmas decoration and then as we drove around, we checked the items off as we found them.  The lights were exciting, but finding the named items was super fun!  We'll be doing that again for sure next year.

Christmas morning started off with a bang.  As in, the kids slept downstairs and banged on the ceiling when they were ready to come upstairs.  I responded by stomping on the floor.  Yes was three stomps, no was two stomps.  They got the two stomps throughout the early morning until finally at 5:30, I gave the three.  The good news about getting up that early is that the Christmas tree and decorations were down and put away by 9:30 a.m. 

Later on, we went sledding.  As per tradition.  We found a sweet spot at Freeman Park.  Lucky for us, we also ran into our friends, the Seahawks.  

A couple of days after Christmas, (on Ace and my 16th anniversary), we took the family to Salt Lake City.  We grubbed at Crown Burger. We walked around Temple Square and looked at all the beautiful lights (one of my favorite traditions from when I was growing up).

Because that is where Ace proposed to me, we stopped at that spot and the kids each unzipped their coats.  They had matching t-shirts that said, "Thank you for saying Yes Mom!  It was pretty clever and pretty cute.

After we were freezing enough, Ace took Mulligan to the Jazz game, and I took the rest of the kids to the hotel and we played games.  Slice was super sick, so it was a looonnng night, but it was so great to be together. 

My little gift from Ace

Another highlight of the break was being able to see my best friend Steph-McF.  She and I go waayyyy back to the days of Eagle Rock Junior High and 7th grade.  I attribute much of my staying on the straight and narrow path to her.  Even when we were roommates at Ricks College she led by her example to keep us out of too much trouble. ;) 

Our getting together this time however was under such unfortunate circumstances.  Her dad passed away after an accident.  It is so hard to see those we love go through such difficult trials.  I'm grateful that Steph has the understanding of our Heavenly Father's Plan.  We are so blessed to have the gospel in our lives.