December - Day by Day

December Eve

After I picked up Chris from the airport (working in Colorado Springs for three days) then we gathered in the living room in the glow of the Christmas tree and spent a few minutes together talking. Chris had each of us look up LIGHT THE WORLD and watch a little video and then text the number to start receiving reminder texts every day. We talked about little ideas we could do each day and committed to find ways to LIGHT THE WORLD in our family, extended family and neighborhood. I love this year’s approach which will hopefully inspire everyone to be watchful and thoughtful about who they might serve.

“We invite people to find a way to share their light with someone each day in a way that is personal and meaningful to their needs. So this year we invite everyone to ask the question ‘Who needs my light today?’ whether it is a family member, a friend or a complete stranger.”

Megan shared several experiences of ways she decided to serve recently… one day she decided to say HI to every single person she knew in the hallways at school. She told us she hoped it made everyone else feel good, but it definitely made her feel good. She also shared that two weeks ago she and two other youth and a leader served a widower in our ward for one of their youth nights. They dropped off something for him and talked to him for twenty minutes or so. When we got home from Midway, there was a card in the mail from him saying… “Miss Megan Johnson, Thanks for your visit, the food, treats and the Bethlehem booklet - the most impressive part was your willingness to spend time with a lonely old man. You endured my attempts at humor with grace and dignity. Thanks for coming. Karl T” What a cute thank you note. Loved it!

Excited for a great December.



Thursday, December 1st

Matt enjoyed another fun MATH COUNTS day. Dad and I went over to the gym to use the weights and treadmill. We listened to a BYU devotional by Gerrit W. Gong that my mom had suggested. It was called LIVE RIGHT NOW and it was great. We worked on our Christmas idea lists, pulled out a few things and started wrapping. Our St. George closet is smaller so we need to be a little bit more organized this year. It helped to go through things. I feel like I’m starting a little late with presents for the kids but I’m sure we’ll catch up quick with Chris home the next couple of weeks. Fish and vegetables for dinner with the kids and then Megan headed off to a Dixie Basketball game and the rest of us headed downstairs to watch SPIRITED — the new Christmas musical with Ryan Reynolds and Will Ferrell. The boys and I had watched it with Megan, Ryan and Cassie at the Lodge earlier in the week but Chris missed it and we were excited to watch it again. Chris loved it and I think I enjoyed it even more the second time. We are listening to the music now constantly! So fun to have a new fun Christmas movie.


Friday, December 2nd

The kids headed to school and Chris and I did a leg workout that made me pretty sore. Then we headed off to do some errands, enjoy lunch at Cafe Sabor, return a few things and do lots of Christmas present research.

Friday night Megan headed to a Dixie Basketball game and then hung out with Seth and friends. Luke headed over to Mason’s house to play pickleball, hang out and hot tub with friends. And Chris, Matt and I enjoyed the night at home. When we asked Matt what game he wanted to play he pulled up Castles of Tuscany and asked us to teach it to him. He picked it up quickly and we had fun playing, listening to music (of course Coldplay or Imagine Dragons if you’re with Matt) and hearing fun details about his life. After the first game Chris spontaneously suggested ice cream at Handels and off we went. And then we played another game of Tuscany.


Saturday, December 3rd

We woke up the kids at 8:30 to watch the USA/Netherlands WORLD CUP GAME and eat french toast for breakfast. We lost but enjoyed watching. Megan spent the morning getting ready for her ‘day date’ watching Seth play basketball and then getting ready for Senior Ball. We dropped Luke off at the Movie Theaters with his friends Ryker, Becka and others seeing Black Panther 2. And then it was down to just Matt again. The three of us found some missing Christmas boxes at the storage unit, went to Pieology for lunch and then wandered around Dicks and Target.

When Megan’s Senior Ball date came to pick her up at 4:30 Megan tried pinning his boutonnière on and then asked me to help. While trying to pin it, I accidentally popped the top of the rose completely off the boutonnière and it fell to the floor. We were stunned and Megan and I stood there with our mouths open. Oh no! What do we do now? Haha. It was pretty funny. We brought it inside and ended up finding a few other pins to pin the rose back onto it’s base. It turned out ok but boy was it funny. Megan and Seth went to pictures, dinner at the Golf and Country Club, Dixie High School for the dance and then over to John’s house to hang out after.

Chris, Luke, Matt and I ate quesadillas and played another game of Castles of Tuscany. Having both boys play definitely makes it slower and we definitely get sidetracked a lot — especially when listening to music… but we get to hear some fun details of their lives and friends and inside jokes that we may otherwise not hear. It’s fun to be together. Mostly fun. ; ) A nice hot bath was definitely in order once we finished… and football for Chris… and trick shots for the boys.


Sunday, December 4th

After church we changed and headed straight downstairs with comfy blankets to watch an episode of THE CHOSEN. It’s SOOOO good and I just love it!

At 6:00 we watched the First Presidency Christmas Devotional with our hot chocolate. During his remarks, President Oaks talked about the announcement of the Savior’s birth to three different groups — “the very humble, the very holy and the very wise” — and testified of the His command to love and serve God and one another. “Christmas is a time to eliminate arrogance and provocation, to subdue criticism, to practice patience, and to de-emphasize differences among people,” he declared. Beautiful music and words. Always a great start to December.


Monday, December 5th

Megan and Matt headed off to school but Luke woke up with a terrible rash and we kept him home. He’s had a cough so maybe it’s part of that virus. Chris dashed off to get some ointment to help and it worked a little but Luke was pretty miserable all day. Still, he completed some homework, worked on finishing some missing assignments and made a list of things to talk about with teachers. It was actually nice to have a day with him to follow up on some things. His rash moved from location to location — what started on his chest and back moved up to his neck, to his arm pits and eventually covering his whole upper body. Chris headed back to the store to pick up an oral antihistamine and I think it helped a little. What a rough day. Poor guy.

Chris and I spent most of the day doing some online shopping and making a few decisions. I feel a little behind and less organized this year. I think not having Chris here at all in November slowed things a bit, plus it’s harder to buy things for older kids, and my computer is in my bedroom — which is right off the main living area and tends to be the major hangout for the kids. As soon as they come home from school they need the computer as well. It just makes things trickier… anyway… we’re making progress.

Megan has been looking for a job lately and has submitted online resumes with several places just before Thanksgiving with no luck. On Sunday we encouraged her to print out resumes and go in person. Right after school she headed off and ended up being hired on the spot with Crumbl, which she’s excited about.

Enchiladas for dinner.

Chris and I have started watching the last season of THE CROWN. So interesting. Love having him home.


Tuesday, December 6th

Chris and I worked out downstairs together. I walked on the treadmill and then joined in on some of his youtube full body workout.

At 9:45 we headed off to the Cedar City Temple to do initiatories. It’s a beautiful little temple. I was reminded of the blessing of wearing garments and the protection that that can be in our lives.

Chris has been talking about a book he’s reading lately and has been excited to share so I suggested we listen to some of it. He decided to share the podcast episode first which gives a good overview. One of Chris’ favorite podcasts is Petter Attia and his guest is Arthur Brooks who wrote an incredible book earlier this year called ‘From Strength to Strength’. The podcast is entitled ‘The Science of Happiness’ and covers a lot of great topics including what happiness is and how to achieve it, the importance of investing in relationships rather than material possessions; how to transition from the 2nd to 3rd stage of life (something Chris and I are transitioning to I suppose). It was a lot of inspiring encouragement and practical counsel. So many times during the podcast I nodded my head in agreement and felt the spirit testify of truth. It made me grateful for my man, our relationship and our joint purpose. I’m excited to read the book now.

We headed straight to the Cliffside Restaurant overlooking St. George for lunch. We enjoyed Cobb Salad, Butternut Squash Soup, Sourdough bread and Four Cheese and Pear Pasta. Everything was absolutely delicious. Love it there!

Back at home we wrapped a few things. After dinner we gathered and watched 8-BIT CHRISTMAS with the kids. It was new last year and I remember enjoying it so I wanted to watch it again — and Chris made it happen. So fun!


Wednesday, December 7th

We spent the morning exercising, packing, wrapping, ordering, and organizing. When the kids got home from school at 3:00 we put everything in the van and headed on our way to California! How exciting to have a 5 1/2 hour road trip to Anaheim! We brought sandwiches from home and listened to Elder Uchdorf’s conference talk and had a good discussion. Then Chris and I chatted about life insurance, retirement, homes and life ideas for hours. We stayed at a hotel about 20 minutes walk from Disneyland and got in about 8:30. Then Chris and I dashed over to Walmart to pick up a few things. Excited for Disney tomorrow!


Thursday, December 8th - Disneyland

We woke up and walked twenty minutes to the Park. Inside California Adventure we headed straight for the Spiderman Ride, which he hadn’t done yet. It was fun! Then onto the single rider line for the Incredicoaster and then onto the ferris wheel which is fun but might be my last time. It makes me nauseous! Haha The kids did Goofy’s Fly School and then over to my favorite: Soaring. Then over to Guardians which we did twice in a row. Love that ride so much!! We played lots of Concentration and made up a group version for Rock Paper Scissors and played it over and over again. Then over to the Incredicoaster and the Swings and back to Guardians. I’d love to see a map of our footsteps walking all around the park. No wonder we clock about 13 miles each day. At 1:00 we headed out of the park and ate lunch at Panera. Then over to Disneyland for the rest of the day. We walked through Star Wars Land and went on Millenium Falcon — which makes Dad sick so he pushed random buttons while he closed his eyes. Then Splash Mountain with literally no line at all because of how chilly it was. We got splashed but it was really fun. We headed back home for awhile to rest and Dad and the kids headed back into the park to enjoy a few more rides - including Radiator Springs (Meg’s favorite) and Space Mountain, and Pirates and Indiana Jones. They crept into the room about 12:30 while I was already asleep.


Friday, December 9th - Disneyland

Friday was an even earlier morning. We walked to the Park and got in line for the Rise of the Resistance — which is so good! Then Haunted mansion ( :P) and then walked around Fantasy Land and went on Dumbo and Matterhorn and waited a long time for Thunder but it was worth it. Then Indian Jones and Buzz Lightyear. We headed to Panera Bread for lunch again, watched the world cup game and then walked into California Adventure right when the parade was starting! We walked around Cars Land, took pictures and then went on Radiator Springs. Late afternoon Dad, Megan and I decided to head back to the hotel for awhile and Luke and Matt decided to stay at California Adventure and go back and forth between Guardians and Incredicoaster. I think they loved being there just the two of them. Dad, Meg and I got Salt and Straw Ice cream.

When we met back up with the boys then we watched a little bit on the Disney parade ending with Santa Claus. The kids next to us were so cute!! Then we went on the train around the park and read blogs of previous Disney trips. We walked around in Toon Town and went on Winnie the Pooh. Meg and Luke fearlessly enjoyed Splash Mountain together with lots of screaming. We walked back to California Adventure and explored the Animation Center and LOVED talking with Crush. It was SO SO funny. One of the highlights of the day. Another highlight was when we met Cruella. She was hysterical and we love the video and pictures we got with her and Matt. So fun!


Saturday, December 10th - Disneyland

We were up early for our last Disney morning. We got ready, packed up the van, walked to California Adventure and were in line for Guardians minutes after the 8:00am opening. Love that ride. Then we did it again. Then single rider line for the Incredicoaster and then over to Toy Story Mania. It was a succesful morning. After a few more rides, Mickey sourdough bread, more group ‘Rock, Paper, Scissors’ challenges, and Ghiradelli’s chocolate sundaes we were exhausted. By 1:00 all of the ride times were now to an hour each, so much to Matt’s dismay… we decided to head back to the van and drive home. What a great couple of days!

Meg’s top five Rides: Guardians, Incredicoaster, Radiator Springs, Splash and Indiana Jones

Funny Quotes: “Y? I don’t know Y?” Disney workers on the boys sweatshirts. Lots of Y comments! And Matt thinking that asparagus was actually called hairsparigus. Haha


Sunday, December 11th

Exhausted, we all slept in until 9:00, which was great. I woke up surprised by my range of motion and felt so grateful that my arm was feeling so much better.

We went to church at 10:00. Sacrament meeting consisted of parents talking about their missionary sons and daughters. It really was neat to hear about all their experiences. Melissa asked Dad and I to substitute teach in primary today and Dad lead the lesson and played a long game trying to guess their names.

After church we ate chips and homemade salsa, the boys went to Mission Prep class, Megan took a nap, we wrapped a few presents, ate Spaghetti dinner, watched an episode of THE CHOSEN, and then I took Chris to the airport so he could fly back to Colorado for his last three days.

Sunday night Matt went with me to enjoy the Southern Utah Heritage Choir perform at the St. George Tabernacle. I love that he volunteered to come with me and it’s so fun just the two of us. We ended up getting the last two seats available and were sitting quite close to the choir. When they stood and started to belt out JOY TO THE WORLD, Matt and I looked at each other in amazement. Matt said, “I’m awestruck.” It was a fun choir. My favorites were Joy to the World, Silent Night and a fun piano duet where the pianists fought back and forth for the lead and tried to one up each other as they played a Christmas medley. It was funny.


Monday, December 12th

Woke up to a text from Jessica asking to have us over for dinner on Thursday night! So excited!

Got the boys off to school and the Pacifica to the dealership for some recall work and settled in at home for a much needed catch up day. Chocolate protein shake, kitchen cleaning, journaling, and last minute Christmas ordering.

I talked to my mom for almost an hour this morning. Good to catch up and ask her how she’s doing. Dad passed away three weeks ago yesterday. She said she feels like she’s been carried these last several weeks and has received so many tender letters, cards, messages, visits and gifts from friends and loved ones. The outpouring of love has been remarkable and has definitely taught each of us how to truly mourn with those that mourn. Every act of kindness has been so appreciated. She related that Megan Jackson just delivered a poinsettia and visited for a minute last night. Several days ago she got a sympathy card from my friend, Melissa Aston in the mail. What thoughtful friends I have. I’m so grateful for my mom and our relationship… and for attentive brothers and my mom’s aunt who have been there for her more than ever.

Lighting the World this year has been an ongoing flow of uplifting texts to everyone I know… and it has truly blessed my own life and made me so aware of the deep friendships and extraordinary family members in my life. Reaching out has filled my days with such happiness.

Scott called with a question and we talked for a little while. Grateful for him!

Matt had basketball after school and then after dinner Megan drove us around the neighborhood so we could deliver our neighbor gifts to the Woolleys, Lamberts, Forseys, Newmans, Winds, Farnsworths, and Graffs.


Tuesday, December 13th

Scott’s Birthday today. Love him.

I got up and got straight to work with some Christmas present magic. Things are finally coming together. So exciting! I started watching about 10 minutes of a Hallmark movie but got busy cleaning and never got back to it! One of these days I will relax and watch something! Haha

I met Brittany Peterson for lunch at Benja Thai. It was fun to talk about Christmas plans and our kids. Then I headed to Costco to grab some food, picked up the kids from school (high school parking lots are so scary) and then picked up the Pacifica from the dealership. (SOOOO nice to have the heating covered by warranty and the recall done so I can go back to driving and charging my van, and using less fuel. I sure love my Pacifica) I took Matt to his soccer practice at 5:00 and then dashed over to Dicks and then Target to get a few things. (The traffic is crazy these days and I don’t like it — especially in the dark. Matt and I came across a 4 car accident that must have happened 60 seconds ahead of us. We couldn’t get through and Police and Ambulance came quickly. So sad!)

I have been so bad about having job charts up for the kids but I made some Christmas ones this morning and I’m determined to do it this week and next. We’ve been in and out and the boys have been lazy about cleaning their rooms and doing their jobs proactively.

Matt picked our Christmas book tonight and it was a SNOWMAN at NIGHT one. He’s still a kid and that makes me happy. : )

Elisha made up some cute packages and delivered the 12 Days of Christmas for my mom. So thoughtful! I love it.


Wednesday, December 14th

I spent the day wrapping and getting things organized. My closet is housing all kinds of wonderful things!

Got a couple fun packages in the mail. A Brooke Romney Manners book from Jared and Geneva and a cute red kitchen cloth and popcorn from Michelle Wind. : )

At 7:00 Luke and Matt went Christmas Caroling with the YW/YM and I headed over to watch the second half of Megan’s FIRE scrimmage. It was fun to watch them. They lost but to a really good team and felt good about their play. Then straight over to Smith’s to pick up some groceries. I picked up Chris from the St. George airport at 10:00. Shortest three day work trip ever.


Thursday, December 15th

Chris’ Aunt Pat called and asked if we could meet them at the St. George hospital to give Kaitlin a blessing. We were happy to go. Kaitlin was born with multiple brain issues causing her to be in a wheelchair and unable to do anything for herself these past 40 years. It was so good to visit with Pat and Chris’ cousin, Kim, and they were so grateful to have us there. Pat was emotional as she greeted us and explained Kaitlin’s situation. I immediately followed suite. Lots of memories of my dad came flooding to the surface and I was surprised about that. The only other time I had been in this hospital was with my Dad when they came for a visit in August. He ended up spending four long days in the hospital and I spent almost the whole time there with him and my Mom. I’m grateful for the memory of him but I was a little teary as they gave me their condolences and we listened to Kaitlin’s conditions. With so many things going wrong, they will be researching a Hospice Company and hope to bring her home with them for her remaining time. Chris gave her a blessing and it was good to be together. (She ended up passing away just before Christmas - surrounded by her Mom and siblings. So sweet to think of the reunion she will have with her Dad who has already passed.)

We went home for lunch and got some things done — including some Disney Pic edits.

We were invited over for dinner by the Farnsworths… which was so fun. They have 8 kids and their oldest is Matt’s age. So Matt and Alix had a great time together and Luke and Megan loved wrestling and holding their babies and toddlers. Fun to get a tour of their huge house and hear their plans to fix it up as well as exchange stories of how we got to St. George. It will be fun to get together to play games over the next several months!

When we got home Chris and the kids watched some of a Christmas movie and then he and I watched some Crown.


Friday, December 16th

Happy Birthday Mike! Love him.

Emily and Katie drove home from Provo and got in about 2:00. They met us at Downeast and Katie helped me decide on a few things because of a really good sale, and Emily and Chris headed up to the DMV to register Megan’s car in her name — already getting ready for this summer!

We enjoyed dinner at Benja’s Thai. Everyone loved the Thai soup and then the Yellow curry, Massaman, Panang and Orange Chicken that we ordered to share. It was a fun. Then home to watch SPIRITED with the girls. They enjoyed it and I really loved watching it again. Fun to have the girls home.


Saturday, December 17th

We slept in a little and then a few of us went to work out at the Community Center.

We took the whole family to Morty’s for lunch and then went over to Ancestor Square to look through some of the shops and the bookstore. It’s a fun place to walk around.

We stumbled upon Santa sitting on the front porch and were happy to talk to him and take a picture.

It was really fun. was a good day for BYU. At 4:00 we watched the BYU Basketball/Utah game and won and then at 5:30 we watched the BYU Bowl Game and won. We ate dinner at home and worked on my new birthday puzzle through most of the evening… a Disney/Pixar Toy Stop lined with Disney character stuffed animals and toys. It was a fun one.

Megan enjoyed dinner out at Texas Roadhouse with her Dixie High assistant coach Tanner and all the other Seniors.

At 9:50 we dashed over to Handels for ice cream, which was so good.


Sunday, December 18th

Church was at 10:00 and Chris and I substituted in Primary again. Before and after church we watched the Men’s World Cup Finals: Argentina against reigning champion France. Argentina was up 2-0 but France came back with two goals to even it up. When we left for church it was still 2-2. After church the tie resulted in overtime. Argentina scored again and then France. 3-3. Then a shoot out. Argentina won. What an exciting game!

We finished the puzzle, watched a CHOSEN episode, played some AZUL, ate some Squamish bars… and then I took Chris to the airport for a week of Wyoming. He’ll be back late Friday night! Grateful for Katie pulling up the Prophet’s Christmas message and showing it to Matt.


Monday, December 19th

(Chris working in Wyoming)
It was a wonderful day. The kids headed off to school, Katie and Emily went hiking with a college friend and I stayed in my pajamas for way too long and edited pictures… something I haven’t done for quite some time. It was a perfectly relaxing day. I picked up Matt after a Talent Show rehearsal and took him to Basketball. Then Katie and I made dinner together - Mongolian Beef on Rice, a new family favorite. The girls volunteered to pick up Matt from basketball and Luke from his friend’s house and picked up a little Swig drink for the three of us while Megan dashed off to Crumbl for work. After dinner we cleaned the kitchen together listening to SPIRITED music, played a game of Splendor and sang to Katie’s Christmas playlist and then Kates and I watched a show. Grateful for Emily for loving Christmas cards as much as I do and being the one to voluntarily put them up on the wall, and for getting our Secret Santa papers ready to go.


Tuesday, December 20th

(Chris working in Wyoming)
The kids went to school. Matt went in his pajamas and enjoyed performing with his friends in the Talent Show.
Katie, Em and I went to Christensens and then to Target and Harmons to grab a few things. Matt stayed after school to go to a party with friends. When I picked him up we ran to get supplies for his friend gifts… little pretzel hugs wrapped up in a cute cellophane bag.

Megan picked ‘taco pile up’ for dinner and helped me put it all together. Then the girls rated their favorite characters from different TV shows (one of their favorite things to do) while I worked on my Christmas journal. Then Em and I started her donut puzzle while we watched THREE episodes of Little House on the Prairie. Katie found the ones when Almanzo enters the scene and finally really notices Laura. It was fun.


Wednesday, December 21st

(Chris working in Wyoming)
I got on the treadmill this morning and watched a little more Little House on the Prairie. : ) Then wrapped a present or two, cleaned, showered… you know. Katie joined me in the kitchen and watched another episode with me. We are the ones who really love it.

Megan, Luke and Matt had a half day but apparently the high schoolers know to not show up since it’s the last day before break. At 10:00 Megan called fake crying and begging me to let her come home. She was on speaker phone and Katie, Emily and I were cracking up. “Mom, (insert fake crying)… please let me come home. The parking lot is empty. No one is at school. Pleeeeeeease! It was pretty funny. She came home and we hung out in the kitchen talking and laughing. At 12:20 Megan went back and picked up the boys, we ate lunch and then got ready for Gingerbread Houses. This year we couldn’t resist picking out cute row houses to decorate. So fun! We drew names for teams. Katie, Matt and I decided ours would look like a New York street with light posts (Katie’s idea) and a car and carport (Matt’s idea). It was so fun. Emily, Megan and Luke decided that one of there houses would be Spring Summer, one would be Fall and one would be Winter. A fun theme and so creative!

Megan headed off to work at Crumbl. Her shift was 4:00 - 8:00.
One of my best ideas this week was to have the kids help me with dinners. Tonight was Emily’s turn and she made a yummy Alfredo pasta. Thanks Em!


Thursday, December 22nd

(Chris working in Wyoming)

In the afternoon I pulled out some old Liahona Magazines and the kids worked on putting together some collages of Christ. It was a fun way to think about all the different NAMES OF CHRIST that we’ve been thinking about this month. I think the end result turned out great.


Katie picked a book and it was ‘This Is the Season’ with beautiful pictures by Simon Dewey. We gathered the boys to come read with us and Katie had them take turns reading. Love her. Also so grateful for our new favorite blanket given to us this year from the Christoffersons. Such a thoughtful beautiful gift.


Friday, December 23rd - Christmas Adam

(Chris working in Wyoming)
The kids were great to help clean the house for a few hours this morning. We changed the sheets and got Ryan and Cassie’s bedroom all ready, vaccuumed the whole house, made the jello and then got ready for the day.

The sun was shining and beckoned me to do something outside so I pulled the kids with me on an outing up to Pioneer Park, which was so fun. Feels so good to be walking around in 59 degree weather with just a t-shirt.

When we got home we made some cookie dough and cooked sugar cookies. And to be honest — we never got them iced. Haha The kids wanted to do them, but nobody really wanted to do the work involved — so it didn’t get done. I feel a little bad about that… but mostly I feel just fine. It wasn’t a priority to me. You can’t do everything. : )

Matt made dinner (Chicken Noodle Soup and Toast) and we started watching the colorized version of It’s a Wonderful Life while we ate.

Megan worked from 7:00 to midnight, Luke went to a friend’s White Elephant party (and Emily was SO nice to offer to drive him there and back) and then rest of us gathered in the basement to try and watch all the movies we’ve left to the end. Matthew was so excited to finally watch Home Alone. Between movies Katie and Matt decided to facetime Granny J and chat with her for awhile. That was so sweet! After the movies Katie and Em went to go visit Meg at work and came back with a box of cookies.

Chris woke up to - 19 degree temperatures in Douglas, Wyoming. Crazy! He left work about 2:00 to be able to drive to Denver and was worried about the recent cold weather affecting the flights. Denver is such a crazy airport to fly from and often flights are delayed or cancelled because of weather. Turns out the airport was filled with people who were waiting for new flights. Chris’ flights ended up being delayed by 90 minutes. Ryan and Cassie waited in the Las Vegas airport for an hour and half. When Dad landed they got their quick two day rental car and walked in about 3:00am to the fam nestled all snug in their beds. We were hoping to be awake to greet them but the two hour delay changed our minds.


Saturday, December 24th - Christmas Eve

What a great day! I woke up at 8:30 to the happy sound of Ryan’s voice. He’s just the happiest kid and it’s so great to have him and Cassie here. When I opened the bedroom door he was there to give me a hug and immediately commented on how cute the house is all decorated for Christmas. He’s so thoughtful. It’s the first time he’s been here since we’ve been living here. It was fun to watch all the other kids wake up and be excited to see him and give him a hug. Megan came into my bathroom to finish getting ready and when she heard people laughing in the other room she smiled and looked at me. When I asked her what she was smiling at, she just shrugged her shoulders and said how fun it was to have everyone here. At 10:30 we headed off to Tifany’s Creperie for a delicious Christmas Eve breakfast. I choose the special, which was cream filled beignets and they were so good!

Around the table we talked about favorite Christmas movies:

  • Chris: Home Alone, Elf and The Christmas Story

  • Lisa: Spirited, The Holiday and anything new

  • Ryan: Elf and Home Alone

  • Cassie: Christmas with the Kranks

  • Katie: While you were Sleeping, The Holiday, The Miracle on 34th Street, It’s a Wonderful Life

  • Emily: While You were Sleeping

  • Megan: Home Alone, and Spirited

  • Luke: Spirited, Home Alone, Elf

  • Matt: Home Alone, Elf and Spirited

At home Ryan and Cassie wrapped presents, Katie and Meg worked on printing a few things out, Emily got the rolls ready, and I put the roast in the crockpot and then lied down for a minute while Chris and the girls headed to pick up SWIG drinks for our Christmas Eve movie. We watched the Glass Onion (Knives Out 2) downstairs with our Candy and Swig. It was fun. We enjoyed it.

Christmas Eve dinner was roast, potatoes and gravy, brown sugar carrots, cream corn, rolls and pretzel jello. We had divided the work into three so Katie and Cassie started helping in the kitchen and then Megan and Luke. And the cleanup crew was Chris, Ryan, Matt and Emily — who had all enjoyed playing a game of AZUL before dinner. Love splitting up the work and just walking away after dinner!

At 6:30 we gathered downstairs and we watched Christmas home videos for an hour. It was so fun - and a little sad because of so many memories of my Dad. Seeing him in so many of our Christmas videos has a new importanceI’m so glad we have those highlight videos to music. So fun to watch over and over again. It’s become an important part of our Christmas season.

Chris found a LIGHT THE WORLD video of a mother and father with their brand new baby as they reflected on what they should name them and thought of specific qualities they hoped he would posess. They ended up naming him Christian. It was so sweet and definitely brought the Spirit. Dad asked us to all think of the Name of Christ that meant the most to us and share what it was and why. It was such a neat discussion and so fun to hear everyone’s simple testimony of Christ.

Names of Christ

  • Chris: The Good Shepherd

  • Lisa: Advocate and Savior

  • Ryan: Wonderful

  • Cassie: Immanuel - ‘God With Us’

  • Katie:

  • Emily: Advocate

  • Megan: Brother, Teacher and Friend

  • Luke: The Prince of Peace

  • Matt: The Way, the Truth and the Life

We continued our Christmas Eve traditions by heading upstairs to take funny Christmas eve pajama pictures and videos and place our stockings on the couch. Matt took care of the Squamish Bars and Egg nog for Santa. The kids pulled out all the mattresses and slept in the family room while watching a Christmas movie. Ryan and Cassie headed to bed early since they got in so late the night before. Dad and I finished getting a few things ready and then headed to bed.


Sunday, December 25th - Christmas Day

Such a great Christmas!! So many pictures on the Christmas Day post.


Monday, December 26th - Boxing Day

Up early to play games with my early risers Ryan and Matt.

Lots more games. Lots of reading for the girls. I had a bad migraine so I headed back to bed while Dad and kids headed off to play pickle ball. We had Christmas dinner leftovers for lunch and then Chris left for the airport. So glad to have had this extra day with him. Hawaiian Haystacks for dinner. Katie and I off to Dicks for an exchange. Started to pack. Watched Pride and Prejudice. : )


Lisa JohnsonComment