Happy New Year's

 We were able to go to the open house of  The Provo City Center Temple.  It was an amazing experience.  The temple is beyond beautiful.  The story of how the Tabernacle burned down and then rose again to something greater and  "eternal" is so profound.  It was such a wonderful experience.

 15 years ago on this very porch, the porch of my childhood, we talked about getting married.  It was so romantic.  The snow was falling softly and it seemed time stopped.  It is still just as magical to remember.  That talk we had was the best talk we have ever had, because what followed was the best decision we made-- to get married!

Happy New Years!  

     For New's Year's Eve we took a little vacation to Idaho.  We stayed in a little cabin in Soda Springs, Idaho on New's Year Eve and then New Year's day we went to Lava Hot Springs.  It was cold.  I don't think we have ever been in such freezing temperatures.  When we got to the cabin at 9:39 pm, it was minus 11 degrees.  Later in the night, I woke up and looked at my phone that had the local temperature and at 2:30 am it was negative 24 degrees....BURRRR!
     We were nervous about going into the hot springs but decided to brave the cold and do it anyway.  When we got in, the air temperature was 7 degrees.  It wasn't so bad once we were in the water.   It was crazy though as we had ice in our hair.  Lava Hot Springs has three pools with temperatures of  105 degrees, 108 degrees and 112.  The 112 degree pool was super hot even with it being so cold outside.  Now we can say we did a polar plunge in 7 degree weather.  Call us crazy!

December always seems to go by so fast.  It seems that before we know it Christmas has come and gone.  We love Christmas and everything about it--the food,the parties, the music, the giving and receiving, family traditions, and being together.  But most of all we love to remember the real Gift of Christmas, that of Jesus Christ.  He makes everything in our lives have purpose and meaning, He is the meaning of not only Christmas but life itself.  We owe Him everything and love that we have a whole month of the year to express our adoration and love for the Greatest Gift ever given. 

Christmas morning was truly magical watching Clarissa.  She truly believes.  I want to believe like she does. There is so much symbolism and magic in the simple believing in Santa, or The Gift Giver.  

One of our favorite family traditions is on Christmas Eve acting out The Nativity.  Clarissa was so excited about being an angel.  

Christmas Eve with all of David's sisters and their daughters.

We spent Christmas morning with David's family and had such a fun morning.  We then spent the afternoon with my family.  David and all of the kids went sledding in my dad's backyard.   It was so much fun to watch Clarissa.  She isn't afraid to try anything.  

We spent the evening playing this game called, "Pie Face."  It was hilarious. David was so lucky to keep avoiding getting hit, but eventually his luck ran out and he too joined in the fun by getting "plastered"!

The Sunday before Christmas, Clarissa and I wore matching dresses.  Years ago, I made Christmas dresses for all of our nieces.  That was back when I had time to sew.  My sister-in-law, gave me back the dress I had made for her daughter so I could use it for Clarissa.  I was so grateful because I otherwise would not have had time to sew a dress for my own daughter.  

 Thanksgiving weekend was so much fun.  David's brother, Danny and his family, came to visit from California.  It is always great to see them.  We had everyone over to our house the day after Thanksgiving and had breakfast.  All of of the kids did a pinata.  Great times!