'We Wish You a Merry Christmas' - traditional Christmas carol

To help combat the 'gimmies' that sometimes appear at Christmastime and latch onto the youngsters at our house, we've done a few service activities to help them feel the true spirit of the season. We went with our friends, the Roper kids, to perform at several of the retirement facilities in our city. At first the kids were nervous and tentative, but you just can't serve and not feel the spirit. They really seemed to love it, and it made them think about life. When you're young, you never think about your parents or grandparents getting 'old.' Tonight we are going to feed the homeless at a shelter in Provo. We all have so much to be grateful for.

'It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!' - Johny Mathis

We were hoping for a white Christmas and boy, did we get our wish! This picture was taken after the first storm, and then yesterday it snowed from sunrise to sunset, and it's snowing again as we speak! We have more than a foot and we love it! The kids in their Christmas excitement are bouncing off the walls, so we neighborhood moms have been taking turns dragging them around the neighborhood behind our cars. I wear my 'grinchy grin' as I take the turns a little fast and whip my boys through a snowbank. We all love it!

'Feliz Navidad' - Jose' Feliciano

Today I was listening to Christmas music, and heard the song 'Feliz Navidad' and it reminded me of a great Christmas memory. When Sarah was about 3 or 4, the age she is in this picture, she loved to sing this song along with the radio. But as little children often do, she adapted the words as SHE heard them, and would sing out at the top of her little lungs...'Feliz Lovey-Dove! Feliz Lovey-Dove!' I never corrected her because I loved to hear her sing it that way. I still smile when I think about it. So to you, 'Feliz Lovey-Dove!'

'God Rest Ye Merry....Mothers!" - adapted Christmas carol

I know it's been several weeks since my last post. Quite frankly, I don't really have time to write this one. Usually I have most of Christmas planned, purchased, and prepared by Thanksgiving so I can spend my energy in December enjoying my family, but this year is different. Sending a missionary out the week before Thanksgiving really took it out of me - emotionally and physically. We squeezed the life out of every minute with Taylor and I'm so glad we did.

It put me behind, so I'm feeling a little more holiday stress than usual, but the little things help me manage...listening to Benji sing Christmas carols at the top of his lungs, a pre-lit tree, tylenol pm, and some extra help on my Christmas card this year - thanks Britt! And it just started snowing! Yeah! It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, and I just might make it.