What a wonderful Christmas week this has been!  I have been mindful of our Savior and His love for us many times this week.  Enjoying time with family - lunches, trips to the Temple, Christmas lights, gifts, dinners, building gingerbread houses, phone calls, and facetime - helps me remember how blessed we are to have each other and to understand that Heavenly Father knows each one of us and is always there as we seek His help.

GINGERBREAD HOUSES!

Mike and Barbi arrived in Colorado Springs Monday evening and were immediately overwhelmed by big paws, lots of licking, and a dog who almost could not contain herself she was so excited.  Tuesday afternoon we went to Adam and Cory's for their annual gingerbread house-making contest.  Paul drew names and we were each assigned a partner and these are the final results.  Ji-Chan and Sammi built a barn and a corral with horse poop in the corral - but there were no horses. (Sammi said the marshmallows were not soft enough to make a horse so she made a worm instead😊).   

 Mike and Lily were partners and they began building and finally their structure got so large they decided to turn it into a Target store. 

Adam and Paul made a race track using marshmallows and graham crackers.  Then added small cars made from Hershey miniatures and using M&M's for wheels.    

 

Barbi and I used our graham crackers to build a church.  Barbi is so creative, she made stained glass windows by trimming the graham crackers, frosting them, and then covered with colored sprinkles. 

  Jake and Cory built a windmill and it was amazing - Sadly, though, it collapsed under pressure 😕. 

I think they are already planning for next year so watch out!!!

CHRISTMAS DAY 

   We had a lovely Christmas morning.  I felt my day was complete spending time with children and grandchildren - even if it was on a Facetime call.  

Josh stopped by for a few minutes and was able to see Mike and Barbi.  

Angella, Eilis, Hollie, Emma, and Ben came for lunch and it was so fun to see them, catch up on all the latest news, and watch them open their gifts.  

CHRISTMAS IN IOWA 

Christmas in Iowa took on a different look as Kate was diagnosed with pneumonia.  In spite of not feeling well, Kate and Jonathan did a great job of bringing the spirit of Christmas into their home.  Sayre got a teepee that they set up in his room so he has a place he can go to and enjoy his Harry Potter books and games.  

Sayre and Clementine waiting for Santa 🎅

 I talked to Kate yesterday and she still didn't sound too good though she said she was feeling better.  She said Jonathan was also on an antibiotic - Hope you all get some rest this week and can heal.  💖

CHRISTMAS IN VIETNAM

Kim, Chris, Blythe, Max, and Grant are in Vietnam for Christmas.  I am sure they will have some great stories to share when they get home -

SEALINGS IN THE TEMPLE

 Thursday morning, Mike, Barbi, and I drove up to Denver to attend an endowment and sealing session for my Uncle Frank and Aunt Evelyn.

Evelyn was my Mom's older sister.  She died at the age of 35 from non-Hodgkins lymphoma, leaving behind 4 small children.  Before her death, Mom spent time taking care of her and helping with the Children.  Her children are Marilyn (we went to her home in Oregon for a family reunion), Howard (who we knew in Spokane), Glen, and Clyde. 

A couple of months ago, when I was printing up names to take to the Temple, I was surprised to see Uncle Frank's name on a card for a sealing to Evelyn.  It was so special to be in the Temple this week and to be able to participate in this family sealing.  I'm sure Mom and Dad were close by 💕

 This is a photo of my Mom's siblings - Uncle Harold, Mom, Uncle Raymond, Grandpa Davis, Aunt Marjorie, and Evelyn.

How challenging life was for them - my grandmother passed away from Tuberculosis in 1942, my mother's 14-year-old brother, Robert, died from drowning in 1943, and Evelyn died in 1944.

IT'S A NEW YEAR!

 In just a few short days, three to be exact, we will welcome a new year.  If you are like me, I love fresh starts, purging the old - old habits (as well as old clothes).  I am so excited to study the Doctrine and Covenants this year, to dig deep into history and to learn more about the early Saints.  Mike was a great motivator to me this week as he is so well-versed in our family history,  as well as, Church History.  I am so thankful for kind and thoughtful children, amazing grandchildren, and loving siblings.  Families are really the most important thing we have so let's continue to take care of each other, be patient, and forgive.  You are the BEST!