Merry Christmas!

The Temple grounds were so beautiful. We chose to go on a day it had snowed because we figured it would be a beautiful sight, and it was amazing!

The Lobby of the Joseph Smith Memorial building at Christmas time.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Nathan was pointing back and forth to the light rails on either side of us. He thought it was so amazing we were standing in between one coming and one going =)

Tyler LOVED riding the light rail

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Santa visited our Ward Christmas party in UT

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .


We had fun playing on a playground while it was snowing.

I just wanted to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas! I love my faithful blog readers =) I couldn't send a Christmas card to everyone, so if you didn't get one, I'm sorry =( I was lazy and didn't bother getting a lot of addresses that I wanted to, plus if I sent them to everyone I want to, it would cost a fortune! So I am posting it for all to see =). Aren't the boys cute? I couldn't find a cute, current picture of Josh and I so we didn't make the final cut......maybe next year =). I didn't even want to attempt getting a family photo, because one of us always looks bad and we are never all looking at the camera =) LOL.

I love this time of year! Despite the craziness that comes along with it, I love it!
We have all of our shopping done...finally. Now I am trying to just avoid the caos at the stores and only go when absolutely necessary. But that is not why I love this time of year, actually that is the one thing I hate about this time of year. Sometimes I just wish we could do away with the presents and shopping and just do important stuff. What I love is having a whole month when the majority of people celebrate Christ and all he did for us by coming into this world. I was thinking back on my childhood Christmases and when I thought of my best memories it always involved activities with loved ones, usually not gifts. If I didn't have pictures showing what I got each year, I don't think I would have remembered even half of the things I have gotten over the years. The things I remember best are things like watching my sister perform in the Nutcracker, then finally one year getting to be in the Nutcracker along with all my siblings, going to see temple lights on Christmas eve with my grandparents every year even though they were not members of our church, having Christmas Lunch at my Grandmas house with aunts and uncles, attending our neighbor's annual Christmas performance in their basement every year, and sneaking out of my room with my brother to try and catch Santa super early in the morning. I must admit the presents were great =) but the lasting memories did not really include presents. As a kid, Christmas is just a ton of fun, then as an adult the stress of it all begins to set in.... if you let it. I try not to let it, but it always bites me in the butt at least a little bit. I stress about getting the Christmas cards done and out in time, getting my tree up and the lights on the house, stress about what to buy for whom, how much everything is going to cost, ect, ect. You all know how that goes =). Despite the stress of the season, I still think it's a ton of fun. When all of that stress hits me the hardest I love thinking about Christ and who this season is really all about.
Josh and I took the kids to see the Christmas lights at Temple Square and it was so beautiful! the manger scenes were amazing, and the music playing outside the gates from street performers added to the whole scene. We bundled up nice and warm and just enjoyed it in 28 degree weather =) and the beauty of the temple grounds frosted in white snow and shining lights. We then walked to the light rail and got on for a couple stops. The boys thought that was the coolest thing ever! It was really cute, I'll have to upload some pictures =) But it is extremely late and I need to go to bed. I mostly just wanted to wish you a very Merry Christmas and I'm glad you, my friends and family, are in my life =)

Love you!!!!