Thanksgiving and Christmas 2018

 I feel SO blessed we were able to see all of our kids and their families over Thanksgiving and Christmas. For Thanksgiving this year we went to Kansas.
I love going to Jamesport, an Amish town a few hours away.

 Russ and I flew in a week before Thanksgiving so we took Kelston and Shelten for two days and went on a "mini" trip to Branson Missouri. We went to the Dolly Parton Christmas Stampede that includes dinner and a show.

We got a ton of food at the show, but NO utensils. Each of us got our own cornish game hen, soup, biscuits, pork, corn on the cob, potato slices & an apple turnover. While we ate dinner we were entertained with animal acts, races and a live nativity set.

 The boys were very enthralled the entire 3 hours.

 The next day we went to the Butterfly Palace & Kelston loved holding the butterflies.

 We went through a forest maze, with mirrors all through it, that the boys loved. They had a reptile exhibit also. We went shopping and out to eat and really enjoyed some one on one time with these two cuties. 

 Jazlyn wanted me to get some pictures of the family so they could send out Christmas cards....good job Jazlyn!! Pretty good-looking bunch!!

Kristy fixed us a GREAT Thanksgiving dinner!! 

We had a fun week with them, but it went too fast.

 The first part of December we were in Ivins & we drove up to Provo Saturday evening to spend the night.  Jared got called to be on the High Council & Russ was blessed to be able to ordain him to the office of High Priest. 

I was touched by Jared & Maren's faith by accepting this call because they were diligently looking for a new apartment & had to be out of their old one within a month. They've looked everywhere & hadn't found anything in the Stake. After accepting this call they received several leads on places & were able to move within their Stake.

For part of "Light the World" this year I decided to have a special Christmas luncheon at my house. I invited several sisters who have been struggling with either health issues, loneliness or depression. I invited 14 & to my joy 13 of them came. I took out my best dishes & crystal & really tried to make it nice. When it was over I really felt like it was one of the best things I've done. I pray in some way it lifted some of these sisters spirits & helped brighten their holiday season. I know it did mine.

We started out our Christmas in Utah for a couple of days. We went and saw the lights at Temple Square with Jared & Maren, went out to dinner & then to my sister Christine's for games.

Christine was SO awesome to pick us up from the airport & put us up while we were there. 

We had a really nice time with her & Matt.

From Utah we drove to Rexburg, Idaho and spent 3 nights with Jacob, Janette & Zayne.

 Janette and her sister Cathy made close to 100 homemade tamales for our Christmas Eve dinner!! Wow, they are ALOT of work. She made some really good beans, rice, and salsa too. It was super yummy!!

 Here's our group for Christmas Eve. We had everyone there, except Kristy's family. We played some games & I was utterly happy just being around my family!!

Zayne looking SO cute!!

 Love these kiddos!!

Tyli looking adorable!

 Jacob made us this fun gift for Christmas! He informed us there's room for 7 more names! We're hoping they all get filled in:) Love this!

 One of Russ' gifts...he got a real kick out of it.

 On Christmas we headed to Lindsey's house for the next 3 days. We had a beautiful white, but cold Christmas.

 Tyrel pulled Halter, Tytyn & Zayne on the sled with his snowmobile.

 Lindsey making us a delicious dinner for Christmas!!

Maren only had off Christmas Day so we're thankful they made the effort to drive up on Christmas Eve to be with us. The roads were really bad going back  Christmas night & it took them almost twice as long to get home.

 3 Sweeties

I love this picture. Lindsey & Tyli looked quite a bit a like here.

 We played lots of games with the kids. I loved it.

 From Lindsey's we drove to Franklin, Idaho and picked up my parents whom we'd dropped off on the way. They stayed with my sister Delina for the week. We were able to spend one night with her also & had a really nice visit.

Our last day in Utah we drove down to Provo for a few hours to help Jared & Maren move to their new apartment. We wish them luck:)

I love the holidays and I LOVE being with my family. I'm SO grateful for my Savior & that we can celebrate His birth. He is the reason for the Season:)