Merry Christmas!

 A lot of things happened in December.  Some good, some sad.  Here is a recap, not necessarily in the correct order.

 We worked on a service chain (as seen in the background).  We tried to make it all the way around our living room, and came very close!

 I went to an author meeting and book signing with the girl's book club friends.  It was a lot of fun!

 Grant's class made candy trains, and I got to go help.

 Gramma Lana came over for some early Christmas gifts, since she was headed to Denver for a few weeks during Christmas.

 We attended our friend's, the Platt's, annual Nativity puppet show.

 Before Lana left for Denver, Dustin and I took her to see The Christmas Carol play.

 Ryan had his first winter campout (in one of these kid's back yard, but still, it was cold).

 For the Sharing Time before Christmas, we had a live Nativity in Primary.  It was neat.

 Avery, Grant, cousin Michelle and I all went to the Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert.  It was wonderful.  Dustin was supposed to come, but we got sad news a few days earlier, when his step mom, Kathy, passed away from cancer.  Dustin flew out to spend a few days with his dad and was gone during the concert.

 The kids slept under the tree.

 We had a Shurtz Christmas party/birthday celebration for Olivia.  It was good food, fun gifts and a great time!

 Dustin snagged this awesome white elephant gift (given by me!).  The kids later got one from my brother and his wife for Christmas, so now we have one for each bathroom!

The kids worked together to decorate this gingerbread house one night. 

I had my preschool pajama pancake party.  I borrowed Maren's fun pajamas for the occasion.

Christmas finally came!  Dustin's brother, Arie, and his family came and spent Christmas with us, in anticipation of Kathy's funeral a couple of days after Christmas.  On Christmas Eve, we went bowling.  I'm not sure who won, but I'm pretty sure I lost.

 That night we had our Bethlehem dinner.  There were 4 wisemen this time...

 And then the kids opened their Christmas PJ's.

 And we dressed up Pepper, too.

The kids were in our room at 6:03 A.M. and ready to open presents. 

Here are their gifts that they made for each other: Avery made Ryan a candy holder, Maren made Avery a display case, Ryan made Grant a soccer goal, and Grant made Maren a jewelry holder.  We love this tradition!  It is always so fun to see what they come up with for their sibling.

Arie, Isabel and Briana joined us at that early hour. 

 We got a Wii U.

 Pepper got a Santa hat from Chad and Rosa.

The loot.

 

 We burned through this huge bin of cheese balls without any problems.

 I found this awesome hair dryer for Avery (she hates to blow dry her hair!)

The next day we went to the Salt Lake Temple, and Matthew, Avery and Maren did baptisms for the dead.

Rod drove out on Christmas because Kathy was being buried in Logan.  They had a viewing and graveside service, and it was simple and peaceful, just the way Kathy wanted it.  Kathy was a wonderful step-mom, mother-in-law and grandma.  She was always so kind and positive, building us up with her thoughtful words and cards.  She never treated us like "steps" and her and Rod did a great job of loving all of their children.  She was a great example of patience, fun to talk to and so thoughtful.  We love her and miss her already!

  The next day we drove back up to Logan so that we could attend the temple with Dustin's dad and his siblings.  It was another peaceful day for us, and sweet to be there with all of them.  Avery and Matthew came along for baptisms for the dead again.

Our niece, Briana, had a birthday the next day, and Jeremy's is a few days later, so we celebrated with lots of cake and ice cream, and dinner with the adults.

 

And then back to the house for some pictures with Grandma.

 It was a sweet, special, sad and happy Christmas for us this year.  We are very grateful for the Plan of Salvation and the comfort that the knowledge of eternal families brings!  Merry Christmas!