This month has completely flown by. We've had a lot of things going on so let me recap.
We also celebrated Steve's birthday when we got back from Idaho. We went out to dinner at Outback Steakhouse w/ his parents, Aunt Diane, Grandma LuDean, and Rob.
Steve even got a free ice cream from it ;)
Nyles was getting a little restless by this time, but he was a good sport.
We had our Branch Christmas Party on Saturday, December 6th. The Primary was in charge of the program so we were busy w/ that making sure it was ready to go. We had the children dress up as part of the Nativity and an adult read a part of who they were and a symbol of Christmas. We had them put the symbol on a Christmas Tree, then sat on the stage and made the Nativity. In between each part the congregation sang a Christmas Hymn that went along w/ it. The Primary then sang the first verse of "Silent Night" then we had the congregation sing the other two together. We then showed a short Christmas Video about the Spirit of Christmas, which is the Spirit of Christ. President Pantuso shared his testimony to end it.
Nyles sitting on his truck, fishing, while watching Curious George. All his favorite things ;)
Nyles helping Steve shave. He loves to help.
That evening we also had the Elders over for dinner. I made Autumn Soup and cornbread. We invited Rob over as well. They shared the new message about the Savior called "He is the Gift." If you haven't seen it yet I'd encourage you to go
HERE and watch it. It's such a beautiful message of hope and love.
My visiting teaching companion Lorraine Blankenstein and myself have been teaching a less active sister Marilyn Isgreen. She grew up in the church, but after she got married she didn't really go to church and has pretty much forgotten everything. The Elders have also been teaching her as well. She's actually started to come to church now too, so it's been great to see her progress. I hope she can gain her testimony back over time. I know it will greatly bless her life.
Nyles enjoying a candy cane, can't you tell?
Sunday, December 7th we had our regular family get together. We had our annual Jerusalem Dinner, which is where we eat food that would have been when Jesus was alive, then have a testimony meeting after. I made wheat bread and brought my mom's yummy grape juice, and Steve's goose jerky to share. The dinner was great and the testimony meeting was great also.
Nyles enjoying being Santa's helper
Friday, December 12th, my parents came down for their Buhler Family Christmas Party the next day. We thought it would be a great opportunity for us to go together in the temple and do family sealings. I was getting off from a late appointment just before 6pm, Rose had to drop off her girls in Lehi, and Pauline had to come up and get Chris as work, so we thought we'd meet at about 6pm at the Salt Lake Temple. Being that it was a Friday night, the weather was warm, and it was getting closer to Christmas, there was a lot of people downtown that night. I think there was even a basketball game going on in the Area too. Needless to say, there was a LOT of people and vehicles out!
As I was walking towards the temple from my office at Gateway, Pauline called and said her babysitter was late so she was running behind. I then called my parents and they were just getting into the parking for the Conference Center and they told them they couldn't park there that night since there was another event going on. My dad had just about had it at this point w/ the traffic, so I told him let's go to the Draper Temple instead, to get away from the crowds, and it would be closer for Rose and Pauline as well to meet. I then caught up w/ my parents, jumped in their car, and helped them navigate how to get out of downtown. I then called everyone back and told them we'd meet at the Draper Temple. I also checked my the temple to make sure we could come w/out an appointment.
Mom, Dad and I stopped to get a bite to each just before we got to the temple at A&W. Steve had to run up to his parents to get some pants to borrow since the Draper Temple doesn't rent clothes. Pauline got Chris and they grabbed a bite to eat. Rose got there a little before us all, but the the rest of us showed up about the same time.
Since we had 7 of us, we were able to have just about enough for our sealing session. They asked a gentleman to come help us for a few minutes, then another couple came and helped us the rest of the time. The sealer, Brother Hill, was incredible! He said he was there to serve and we could "run the show" per say. My dad had us trade in and out many times to give us each an opportunity to perform the work, and also to make sure we wouldn't pass out while kneeling, Pauline and I are good like that :) Rose had some names she found on the Hegerhorst side (cousins) and I had names from Uncle Steve. We got through both Rose and my names in the time we had thankfully. It was an amazing experience and the Spirit was SOOO strong! The sealer mentioned that he could feel the Spirit really strongly as he entered the sealing room w/ us and as we did the work for our ancestors. What a great opportunity it was to do sealing for our family with our family. This work is true!
Nyles being a cool dude w/ his Santa hat on, sunglasses, blanket and white dog...more of his favorite things
Saturday, December 13th we watched Lynsie for a few hours. Joanne and Dave were watching her at their place that morning, so we went up there and played for a while, then came back to our place for a little while. Nyles loves playing w/ his cousins ;) We were going to watch Pauline's kids Charlotte and Ezra that night as well so they could go to Chris' work Christmas Party, but her kids weren't feeling well, so she ended up staying home w/ them instead.
Nyles and Lynsie playing at Grandma/Grandpa's house
Just snuggling w/ Steve ;)
At work I also organized a Sub for Santa for with my team's help and contributions. We provided Christmas for a single mom who lost her husband to cancer last year. She has 2 daughters, ages 10 and 12. I bought almost everything online and was able to save a lot and make our money go further. We were even able to get their big wish items, which were a tablet and violin! It was pretty fun getting everything for the family. We delivered the gifts last Thursday. I hope they have have a wonderful Christmas!
Steve and I decided to get a roof rack and cargo box for our Christmas to each other. With all Steve's hunting stuff he likes to bring w/ us to Idaho and whatnot, we figured it would be a good investment. Plus for regular family vacations it will come in handy to store stuff and hopefully have more room inside for us.
Before
After
Friday, December 19th we had a family dinner at LuDean's house downstairs. I guess they used to do that when Steve and them were kids. We had dinner, then lots of fun games. It was a lot of fun and of course spending time w/ everyone.
Nyles had a lot of fun at a rocking horse Steve's Grandpa George made when he was a kid.
Then on Sunday, December 21st we had another family get together at Dave and Joann's house. We had dinner, danced around the Christmas Tree while singing songs (Danish Tradition), then played bells to make Christmas Songs. Then Santa came! The kids were so excited. We haven't really talked much about Santa up until this point, but since his cousins were sitting on his lap, Nyles decided he would too. It was really cute!
Mrs. Claus and Santa and Nyles
Everyone singing "We wish you a Merry Christmas!
(Thanks for the pics Jeff; they're great!)
I finally finished my capstone class for my CFP! We were given a family situation and their financial information and had to analyze it. Though we got the project just before Thanksgiving, w/ the holidays and everything else going on, I wasn't able to work on it much until the second week of December. It took a few weeks to get everything together and type up my project paper as well. It ended up being about 30 pages by the time I was done. I asked Rose look over it for spelling errors or if something didn't make sense. I also had to create a 5-10 minute video of me explaining one of the recommendations I had for the family. I turned in both my video and paper Monday night, and by Tuesday night it was graded and I passed. What a relief!!! Now if I want I can sign to take the national CFP exam. The next one is in March but I don't think I want to take it that soon. For now I just want to relax and enjoy the Holidays. Friday the 19th was my last day of work until January 5th! I'm excited to have time off and spend time w/ Steve, Nyles and family.
Last night Steve went to the last Hobbit movie "Battle of the five armies." I was supposed to go but wasn't feeling well (I caught a stomach bug), so our neighbor Dave Thomas went for me. Dave, Joanne and Rob also went. Steve said it was awesome! I'm glad they enjoyed it. ;)
Dave Thomas and the characters
Steve being scared by the giant
Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New
Year! May you find real joy from the season as you focus on our Savior.
Love,
Steve, Penny and Nyles McGrath ;)
