Christmas came with great anticipation for me this year. I was so excited to go home and be with family. Each day after Thanksgiving grew longer and longer. I was so impatient, I just couldn't wait to be home. Living in Las Vegas has been a new experience for me, and it has truly made me realize how important being with family is. As the days slowly rolled by I filled my time with Christmas movies, and hot chocolate.
Rhett and I watched White Christmas together which is one of my absolute favorite movies of all time. It brings back lots of memories of my happy childhood. This picture was taken the night before we left for Idaho.
We left Friday the 20th. We stopped in Utah and before we got to our friends Laura and Tyler's house we stopped and saw Rhett's grandpa.
This is the last picture that Rhett has with his grandpa. Shortly after Christmas he passed away. While we were on this visit I just had the impression to take a picture of them together. His grandfather was so weak, and it was hard to see him bedridden and so fragile. I wish I could have known him before his stroke. Everyone tells me that he was such a smart man, and could talk your ear off. They tell me that he loved to talk politics which sounds very familiar to me because Rhett loves to talk politics. It was so great that we were able to see him one last time before he passed.
In Utah we stayed the night with our good friends Laura and Tyler. They are so good to us, and it was nice to spend the night in their home. Saturday morning we headed to Idaho. We stopped in Burley to see my grandparents, which was so great to see them. They fed us delicious sandwiches and we had a nice long chat. I love them so much. They are amazing examples to me of love, and steadfastness. I am so grateful for them.
We got to Caldwell that night. My parents and Melody were at their ward Christmas party so we stopped by there for a bite to eat, and enjoy their Christmas program.
We went to church Sunday with my parents and Melody. It was nice to be with my parents and Melody in Church. We don't get to do that very often so it was a nice treat. Melody and Mom sang in the Choir for the Christmas program, and during one of the songs Melody had forgotten her finger symbols. She ran down the isle of the pews and grabbed her symbols, went back up to the stand and played those symbols not even missing a beat. I felt so much love for my special angel sister that it overwhelmed me. I could not help, but cry when I saw her smiling and playing her symbols with everything she had. She brings so much light to so many people, especially me. I am so thankful that I was able to witness that special moment that I will cherish forever.
During relief society we sat by Joyce Lynn, one of our families oldest friends. She is suffering from dementia right now, and it was a hard realization for me. As I watched her sitting next to my mom talking about something we all have no idea about I sat there and cried. I have known this lady my whole life, and I will always remember as a vibrant go getter that was full of excitement. For my 5th grade state project I did interviews with famous people from New York. Sister Lynn was Eleanor Roosevelt. She pretended to be Eleanor and we had a fun time. That is how I will always remember her. Life is funny how much it can change when you move on with your life and new family.
After I composed myself I watched kind of a funny thing unfold with Melody and Sister Lynn. Melody has a hard time understanding Sister Lynn's situation, and rightfully so because Melody is special herself. During Relief society Sister Lynn would slowly take Melody's scripture bag and admire it. She then would sneak it underneath her feet where she knew Melody could not grab it. This was not amusing to Melody because she is very possessive of her things. Melody would ask Sister Lynn for her scriptures and Sister Lynn would just ignore her. This did not make Melody very happy. So back and forth all through relief society Melody and Sister Lynn would play this game of cat and mouse. It was pretty comical to Mom and I. After Melody had finally gotten her scriptures back, Sister Lynn then proceeded to steal her finger symbols. This did not make Melody happy once again, and finally Mom had to grab them gently from Sister Lynn. All the while Sister Lynn really didn't understand what was going on. It was pretty comical seeing them interact together.
Needless to say it was an emotional Sunday, but I am so grateful for the beautiful memories that were shared.
After church we took the traditional Sunday dress pictures.
Monday-
-Mom and I did some last minute shopping for food and presents.
-We came home made the clam chowder and sugar cookie dough.
- Melody and Rhett went to see the Percy Jackson movie at the dollar theatre.
-Later that evening we went out to dinner with Mark, Hailey, Crew, Decker, Dad, Melody, Rhett, Mom and I. I was craving Texas Roadhouse so we went there. Mmmmm they have the best rolls and butter.
After dinner we went back to Mom and Dad's to read the Nativity story. Crew and Decker acted out the parts with their own little Nativity set.
These boys are just so much fun to be around. Such cuties!!!
Decker was having fun with Grandpa playing ball.
Tuesday- Christmas Eve.
- Mom had some last minute errands to run so I started cutting out the sugar cookie dough for decorating.
- Rhett and Dad went to go see Enders Game at the Dollar theatre.
- When they came home we all decorated cookies, and gingerbread houses while watching a Hallmark Christmas movie in the kitchen, Decorating cookies is one of my favorite traditions. I love being with everyone and enjoying the Christmas spirit.
- After decorating cookies for Santa we all helped get our traditional Christmas Eve dinner ready. This consists of deli sandwiches, and amazing clam chowder. I crave this dinner all year long, even more so then Thanksgiving. Although it is just food, it reminds me of so many wonderful Christmas memories with my family. My parents started the tradition when they lived in the midwest when the boys were really young. They didn't have much money at the time. My dad was working at an alternative meat plant I believe as a food scientist. He brought some of this meat home for Christmas Eve dinner. Ever since we have been enjoying sandwiches (which are not processed meat anymore, but are fine deli meats with all the trimmings), and clam chowder in bread bowls.
After dinner clean up we get to open our traditional one present that is always fun pajamas. I always look forward to this as well.
24 weeks on the 24th of December!
Melody, Mom, and I
Rhett and Dad
After we open presents Melody will set out the cookies for Santa and write her letter to him. Christmas is so special with Melody because she will always be a believer. She gets so excited for Santa to come, and every expression is priceless. It really does make Christmas so fun. This year Rhett got out the Santa tracker and showed Melody exactly where he was. She was thrilled when she saw that!
Every Christmas I like to watch It's a Wonderful Life. It is one of my all time favorite movies, and makes me contemplate how each one of us touches another life for good. We watched it all together Christmas Eve while playing dominoes. We finished our game, and watched the end all together. Every time I get a little choked up when everyone comes to rescue George Bailey. Such a sweet ending.
Writing her letter to Santa.
When Melody is finished writing her letter, Dad will read us The Night Before Christmas. He is such a great reader, and does a good job at Santa's voice. He tells the story with great excitement! Last year when I was gone for my first Christmas away I sat on the phone and listened to my Dad read it.
When all is said and done we say a family prayer, and remember the real reason for Christmas; to celebrate Christ's birth. After prayer we tuck Melody into bed and wait for Christmas Morning!
Wednesday- Christmas Day
- Woke up early to open stockings, and say family prayer. Mom always puts out hot cinnamon rolls and orange slices. Mom gets the Christmas music going and we head upstairs!
Melody on Christmas morning. These pictures are usually not the most flattering, but Melody got chosen this year for the stocking picture.
After prayer we go upstairs and open Santa presents, have breakfast, and then open the rest of the presents. Much to Rhett's surprise we didn't open all the presents up at once. He was confused when we said we were gonna wait after breakfast. We have always done this, because it makes Christmas last longer! I was very spoiled this year by Rhett. He got me a Ninja blender that I wanted and my home state necklace. He also wrote me a beautiful letter that made me cry, and gave me some coupons to use for the year. My Mom and Dad spoiled me with money to buy maternity outfits, a beautiful scarf, and gave Rhett and I a gift as well. We were very grateful!
Melody knitted us that sweet baby cap. Man, I just love that girl so much.
This year I got Rhett his very own blue-ray version of The Lord Of The Rings trilogy, hobbit legos, and he picked out his own wireless headphones. Mom and Dad got him some nice shirts! Melody's gift was very sweet. She crocheted a knitted baby hat for us that was light blue. I will always cherish it, and think of my sweet Melody. Melody also got us a cute baby book to fill out for little baby boy Palfreyman, and a subway gift card. She is the sweetest! We were spoiled so much this Christmas! It was a great Christmas!
The rest of the day we just chilled out. We took naps, talked to family, and enjoyed the day. That night we had a beautiful ham dinner with all the fixens!
It truly was such a fun filled Christmas. My parents work so hard, and do so much for us, and I am so thankful for them. They are amazing, and provide so much for us. I am so grateful that I was able to come home for Christmas. It means so much to me to be with family, and share special memories with them. Merry Christmas!
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