We had a Wonderful Christmas this year.  It was great to have all the family together, sharing the love.  Here is an overview of how we celebrated:

We picked out and brought home a beautiful tree the first week of December.On December 15th we had a Missionary party here for anyone in the area who could come.  We took a large group to sing carols at a care center, then came back to our home afterwards for hot chocolate and treats.

We took our traditional over-night outing to Salt Lake for a nice dinner out and a trip to see the lights at Temple Square.

I attended a South Africa Mission Reunion and got to visit with Sis Lorna Wood, my Mission President’s wife.  Oh, how I love her!

Christmas stories are one of my favorite parts of Christmas!  This year baby Josie joined us!Oh, how we love this new little one!

Christmas Eve is my favorite evening of the year!  After singing a Christmas hymn and reading the Christmas story from Luke and Matthew, the kids opened their special gifts.  On Christmas Eve, I prepare a gift of family–something that brings us closer together.  This year each of the kids got the new Bushman Book and DVD from our reunion in Pennsylvania, and I compiled a binder of all of the letters to Santa the kids have written over the years.The kids poured over the Santa letters and we all relived the history of gift-giving in our family.  That was Fun!Claire discovered her first spread sheet.  Her mind has worked in spread sheets since she was little!

Christmas Morning!Stockings are always first, after sticky buns!Then it’s time to go into the living room where the tree is.There the fun begins!Claire gave me flannel for Days for Girls!Clark was the main attraction!After the gifts, we lounged and read books and played games.

Ringing in the New Year, 2019!