I think this was a perfect Christmas. Yes--we missed our missionary but we wouldn't want him anywhere else than where he is right now.
This year we attended many Christmas productions, concerts, and a trip to the museum to see the Carl Bloch display. It was fun to spend time together as a family to bring the true spirit of Christmas into our lives. We attended the Temple to do some work there with both of our girls. One night at the Temple, it was Michael and I who were baptized and what a great experience that was to have Michael baptize me for those who have passed on. We enjoyed all of the concerts and musical productions we attended: Mormon Tabernacle Choir with David Archuletta, Jon Schmidt, Forgotten Carols, Echos of Christmas, the Christmas sing-in at the ESA, and BYU basketball game in Provo.
It all just made it such a wonderful Christmas. The icing on the cake was talking to James on Christmas Day. He sounds so happy and he is loving the work that he is doing. So thankful for him and for his service to the Lord. He has been gone almost 8 months and the time is just flying by. He is growing up and changing spiritually---we could just hear it in his voice and in his testimony. He is doing a great job and we are so proud of him.
Time with our families was wonderful. My nephew and his wife drove all the way from Alaska to spend Christmas with their families. What a nice surprise to see them. We spent Christmas Eve with my family and did the Blair party on Christmas Day. So thankful to be close to our families again so that we can participate in these family gatherings. We love our families and appreciate our time with them even more.
We feel so blessed and so thankful for the Savior of the World. We love this time of year and love to celebrate His humble birth. We are striving to work on the gifts we are going to give the Savior throughout the new year. May we always remember that He is the reason for the season!
