4th week of December, Christmas

We had a wonderful, surprisingly warm week of Christmas.  I worked Monday and Tuesday, then had the rest of the week and year off.  The kids were out of school as well the last 2 weeks of the year.  Here are some highlights.  

Hudson showing us how Buddy the elf was tied up.  The youth in our ward did a service project.  Steve was in charge, so he went and delivered it to Primary Children's Hospital Monday afternoon, December 22nd.  Our neighbor Kaitlyn Moreton went w/ them to deliver the gifts.  Good work!

Monday night we went and walked around Draper Park to look at the lights, and the "tree of life."  

It's tradition to go every year and we live so close, it's great!

Steve and Nyles went duck hunting on Tuesday morning.  

They enjoyed a beautiful sunrise and got a few ducks as well.

Steve and I went for a walk and the neighbors had their sprinkler on!  That tells you how warm it has been.  Cute Piper giving Carter her puppy eyes, wanting a treat.  Carter built a tower.

Tuesday late afternoon we went and watched Zootopia 2.  It was super cute!  Diane couldn't make it, as she was caring for Grandma LuDean, so we invited Conor to come.  Dave and Joann met us there too.  Right after the movie was over, Carter and I walked over to the train trax and took them downtown to watch a Jazz game for Jr. Jazz.  It was fun, though they lost by a few.  Conor stayed the night.

On Wednesday, December 24th, Christmas Eve, we went over to Dave/Joann's place to visit w/ them and Grandpa Carl.  Stacie and Phill's family were they also, so we played a game.  We then went home for a little bit, then went over to Diane/LuDean's place for dinner w/ Dave and Joann.  Grandma LuDean was in her bed, in the living room, sleeping, so we didn't get to visit w/ her.

A beautiful rainbow on our way over to Dave/Joann's place. 

The boys opening up their gifts from Dave/Joann (Legos).

After we got home on Christmas Eve, Hudson helped me make chocolate chip cookies for Santa.  The boys worked on putting their Legos together.  We then, per tradition, we read the Christmas story and sang a few songs.  Then we read the story of my great-grandpa Hegerhorst, how he was shot in the leg during WW2, and how the bullet changed his life for the better.  Carter was able to share this story during primary this year as they learned about their pioneer ancestors, and he read it during the Primary Program in September.  We are so thankful and blessed for our ancestors and their sacrifices, which made our lives better.  We're also thankful for this time of year to reflect on our Savior and his sacrifice for each of us so we can return to our Heavenly Father and see our families again.

Hudson helping to make chocolate chip cookies for Santa.  

Steve and Hudson.  The boys working on their Legos.

Christmas Eve, the boys all slept in Nyles' room (a tradition now).  Santa came!

Carter w/ some Lego sets he got for Christmas.  

Hudson dumping out his stocking.  Christmas morning!

Cute Piper wanted to be in on the action, so we brought her bed in.  Nyles got a new watch.  More gifts, like mini chainsaws to help them trim the branches for firewood.  Ralph the Elf came too.

Steve got a new jacket.  We got the new Switch 2!

New Switch 2.  The boys were only a little excited!

Hudson was eager to crack open his dinosaur egg.  He showed Grandpa and Grandma Hegerhorst how to do it while they were on the phone w/ us.  We also finished a puzzle.  Steve made all of the boys a blanket from our Disney cruise bandanas from pirate nights.  We had enough to make all the boys a blanket and one for Diane, which we gave her for her birthday back in October.  My mom explained to us how to make the blanket (thanks).  So fun!  Good work Steve!

It was quite warm, so after being in the house most of the day, we went back over to Draper Park to get outside for a while.  The kids played on the playground to get some energy out, which was nice.

On Friday, December 26th, we cleaned up the Christmas decorations and cleaned the house.  The wall anchor was coming out by the window, so Steve showed and taught Nyles how to fix it.

On Saturday, December 27th, Steve and Nyles went over to the Draper Temple to do baptisms for the dead.  Ironically, while there were there, they saw President Uchtdorf there also!  They were told he came to the temple and wanted to start in the baptistry, then make his way up to the Holy of Holies.  President Jeffrey R. Holland had just passed away, so we wonder if he was going to pray.

Amazingly, we finally got a little bit of snow that morning also!  It is our first snow of the season crazy enough.  We knew it wouldn't last long, so I told the boys to get their snow clothes on and go out and play in it.

Nyles and Steve at the temple.  Our little bit of snow!

Cute Carter and Hudson got in their Halloween costumes and played later as well.

The boys playing in the snow.  Carter and Hudson making snow angels and all of them building a snowman.  They put it on the shady side of our house, which helped it last longer.  Piper was super excited for the snow as well.  She got to be Hyper Piper running around in it!

The boys w/ their blankets from Christmas.  Carter and Hudson just cutting paper.  Sunday evening we had dinner again at Diane/LuDean's place w/ Dave and Joann.  Grandma LuDean wasn't doing well, sleeping again.  We played a few games after dinner, which was fun.  Hudson sitting w/ Grandma Joann.

We had a wonderful Christmas and week together.  We are so thankful for our Savior Jesus Christ, his birth and life, and this time of year we have to celebrate Him.  

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