We didn't wake up at the crack of dawn! I've been enjoying getting a bit more sleep during this school break! Paul and I took our walk and then Supe texted us letting us know that we could come over any time...so we saved breakfast until later and opened our presents at home so we could head over there. I forgot to take a picture of the most amazing gift that Paul gave to me...us. He talked to a travel agent to start the process of us taking a Hawaiian Islands cruise over Spring Break next year. We are hoping to see Pearl Harbor, the Polynesian Cultural Center and then be able to visit other islands and go to the two volcanic national parks there. After that surprise gift, we went to visit Supe and Beacher and kids. So much fun with all of the kids excitement about the cool toys that littles get! Jem took us into the darkest room in the house to show us how great his new light saber was!
Next stop was Moss and Christie and kids. They are a mix of teenage fun and still some littles with Kai! Christie made them some really fun shirts that they opened on Christmas Eve! She's so creative!
After Moss and Christie's we came home and had some breakfast. Ferf and family were still waking up and not ready for us that "early". She had all of her kids plus Brynnli's fiancé, Ryan, and Tavin's significant other, Eli, there this year. It was good to see them all!
Then we were off to visit the Smiths. They are another place with all teen agers that like to sleep in! Tasia was down from BYU. We had a fun visit with them and learned a lot about Tasia's summer internship at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab. She worked with exotic birds and showed us a collection of beautiful feathers that she was able to gather as the birds dropped them. We also got to visit with Ellie (Sister Randall) while were there. Lou shared Ellie's call from her mission Christmas day visit with us while we were there. So fun!
Next we came back home and had a break, ate, took a nap and talked to Jay. We didn't get to talk to Brynn and the girls. It's kind of hard to connect when it's convenient for everyone during the busyness of the day, but we did enjoy hearing about their Christmas from Jay. They will be down for a New Year's visit soon!
About 3 pm the Weavers arrived at our house. They always visit us on their way to a big Christmas dinner, etc. with Lance's folks. We had fun doing it outside because it was a beautiful afternoon. They all opened their presents and then we opened some group gifts from our kids with them. One of them was a new BIG screen picture showing device for our counter. The other gift is an airplane flight with Lance and his stepbrother/pilot over the Zion area. They said it will be more close up than the helicopter flight we did last year was and probably longer. Lance will come along to tell us about the geology probably. We are excited about both gifts and confused about which is from who, but many thanks to everyone! We also had fun participating in Lance's treasure hunt for his Christmas present from Juge (a new climbing rope). She left it here after she bought it and then sent us clues to hide to help him find it while they were here. It was fun to be a part of it.
We gave rather boring presents - socks to the grands, See's candy and dinner gift cards to the parents. We appreciate how hard they try to give us something exciting every year.
Starting in the weeks before and then after Christmas we attended four funerals. We started with Anna Lou, then Kade Smith, and then two people from our ward also passed away. One (Brent Snow) was like Anna Lou's was, with a worn out body getting released to enjoy Heaven's peace. Kade's felt like too soon, but yet a relief from his terminal illness. The other one was a man of only 54 who was a great husband and father and stepfather to 10 kids in all. They all loved him. It was such a shock and so sad and unexpected. Through all of these funerals of such varied circumstances there was peace. Our gratitude for the Savior's birth, life, death and resurrection was brought front and center to our hearts. We are so thankful for that matchless gift to each of us that Jesus and Heavenly Father gave! Merry Christmas 2025 to all!!!
PPS - Jay and Brynn came down on the 30th and brought our Christmas present with them. It's such a fun gift. It's a box of many games for two or more people. We used it all during the holidays taking it to other people's houses and here at home with them learning to play new games, and enjoying playing some old ones too!
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