Christmas came ....it really did...

We had the snow for a couple of weeks and cold weather so we definitely had a white Christmas in Utah.  It was a good start to SEE "White Christmas" at Centerpoint Theatre on the Saturday before Christmas and then Jena and I went with her friend, Kaitlyn and her mom, Debbie on the Monday.  It is a sweet story about friendship and loyalty and the magic of Christmas.  It makes you love snow on Christmas just a bit more (even if you don't like snow much.)

We were fairly ready for Christmas so enjoyed the last few days before the big day.  Of course, I was mailing our Christmas cards on Christmas eve but that was before Christmas and my goal for this year (except for about 20 which got mailed after Christmas because I didn't quite finish on Christmas eve.

We had Christmas Eve at Mom Hall's house with much of our extended family.  I think there were 9 of the great grandchildren there this time which added a bit to the noise level (Not you--Wyatt! I didn't see you running around in new pajamas.)

Before everyone arrived

A picture of Jena not looking at me and
Mom Hall with her new Christmas apron
that Jena made at school with her aide, Julie.

Allan was able to join us and here
he is with his little grandson, Dallin.
Sporting his new 49ers hat from Charon and Mike

Christmas Day 2013---without Scott/Chantel (Florida), Tosha and Austen (Oklahoma City), and Elessia at work.

The line-up from youngest to oldest
Jessica came and joined us for Christmas morning
and it was great to have her.

Digging in her stocking

Gary's first "Grandfather" gift
A newborn shirt and pants outfit
which says I love my grandpa...
for the first granddaughter!
No we don't know yet!

Jessica passed out the gifts under the tree

Yes, Ralphie, Jena got a guitar!

Jena really likes guitar music.  When she was a preschooler, she would say "guitar" if she heard guitar music on a CD.  At four, she asked for a guitar.  She was so little then that I decided to get her a ukulele instead, thinking it would satisfy her desire for a guitar.  That Christmas night, she asked Gary, "Will get a guitar next time?".  Busted!!  This past summer we decided that we would get her a guitar for Christmas this year.  From the minute she saw the wrapped gift by the Christmas tree she had a big smile on her face.  She loves it.  Every day I hear her strumming on it.  I don't think we will try lessons until she is out of high school...too much else on her and our plates at the moment...but I love watching her enjoy it (and I hear that Tosha is learning to play in Oklahoma City with Austen as her teacher.)

We went and saw Allan for a short visit.  Then that afternoon we went up to Nordic Valley and played games with Vonette, Gary, and family.  I don't know if we have gone there enough to make it a tradition but we enjoy spending Christmas Day with them up in the beautiful mountains.

Busy few days and Jena and I enjoyed sleeping in the next few days.  I think even Gary slept passed 8:00 on Thursday and Friday.  He has been a busy guy for several months now.

We thought about all of our family and friends and hoped you all had a Merry Christmas and are looking forward to a Happy New Year.  I have lived enough life to know that we can expect some highlights and some challenges in 2014.  Regardless life is a great adventure and the source of hope and peace is and will always be the One whose birth we celebrate at this time of the year.  We celebrate his birth because of His Life, His death, and most of all His atoning sacrifice in our behalf.