Christmas

This was our first Christmas with Max on a mission — which made me sad a few times, I won't lie — but we still were able to include him in our celebrations by talking to him on a video chat both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. And it was wonderful hearing how he spent the holiday and testified of Jesus Christ to others. He was fed well by the members in the ward and had a nice time with the other elders. 

Here's a photo he took recently of a sunset in El Paso. He also resubmitted his visa application for Bolivia this week as requested, like many other missionaries, so hopefully they will be able to get to that country soon.

On Friday, Dec. 22, the weather was beautiful. We went downtown to see the Grand America and Macy's windows, the limited lights on Temple Square, and came home by way of Michigan Avenue. A couple weeks ago we did Christmas Street and the Nativity story in the neighborhood near us.

Millie got glasses right before Christmas, after she failed the eye test at her (late) well-child checkup. We took the prescription and ordered frames online for cheaper and she was ecstatic when they came.

Sunday going to Church on Christmas Eve was wonderful. How fitting to sing the songs and hear messages of Christ's birth!

Christmas morning the kids stayed in their rooms as requested until 7 a.m. We were done opening presents by 8 a.m. and had some happy kids! Here's a sampling of some of the morning.

Ben gave JB and me a movie-watching kit and we can't wait to use it.

On Christmas Eve, we had a nice steak dinner with the Richards and the kids did a bell concert with bells matching the screen. For years, a chapel on Capitol Hill has had a bells concert on Christmas Eve, but not this year.

The six Richards kids got their parents large canvas prints of the photos from Bear Lake. 

On Christmas day we had homemade pizzas for lunch with sourdough dough made by the very talented Suzanne and JB.

We also went to see The Boys in the Boat in the theater. I really liked it! I loved the book. We have been watching Christmas movies together all of December and college football bowl games and the Utah Jazz and watching Ben play basketball and playing with toys. I've had some days off work and we've gone to the park (best winter so far with mild temperatures and no snow!). Merry Christmas!