Christmas on the Slopes

We ski every Christmas. We get up early and open presents while the cinnamon rolls are baking. Then we have a yummy breakfast and head up the canyon. This year, as we have the last few years, we went to Brighton Ski Resort. We got there early, beat the crowds, and enjoyed a beautiful day. I haven't downloaded the family pictures I took but here are a couple taken by Dain on our way back to our car. Unfortunately, Christian wasn't able to call because he's in the MTC in Peru and you can't call from the MTC. He was missed.

Homeless Shelter

Emi, Dain and I went to the Road Home, the local family homeless shelter in Salt Lake City, to help out this morning. It's a yearly tradition and we love going there! Today, we were assigned to work in back unloading donations, sorting through the boxes and bags, repackaging and dividing everything. Then we had to load again into other trucks for distribution. It was heavy, busy work. It made us feel so grateful for everything we have! We're grateful for all our blessings and all the "stuff" we have. We really have so much ... maybe too much.

Christmas Week

It's almost here! It's almost THE day. Even though for the last five years we've been in Utah during this week, it's been odd not to have my green backyard and swimming pool available. I miss it. Don't get me wrong, I'm loving the snow and the chance to wear all my cute sweaters and scarves, but I miss my home. I guess that too shall pass, right? Maybe? There has been stuff happening lately in my personal life that has left me with tummy aches (hey, I'm a mom. I use that word). So I'm sitting here eating yogurt, my go-to for tummy aches. It works!

This has been a slower year as far as gifts and stuff  like that and I'm loving it. No rush to get just the right anything. With two girls at home, giving gifts is simple. Girls are easy! clothes, jewelry, perfumes, etc. Simple, simple, simple. :-) Now Dain is hard. The man has everything and more.

Dain played a bunch of concerts with Jon Schmidt. It was a blast to watch him. I was also shocked by how big Jon's kids are ... I guess all kids grow up.

I'm looking forward to our family tradition of skiing both the 24th and the 25th. We enjoy being together, we love being on the snow with Santa (he's quite the skier, you know) and we see some of the same people every year. I look forward to seeing parents and siblings and nieces and nephews. I hope we can talk with Christian on the 25th. He didn't know for sure if they would be able to from the MTC in Peru.

Last year (2009)

I'm so grateful for everything in my life! I'm the luckiest girl around.

BTW, we still haven't registered our cards in Utah! or changed our drivers licenses ... bad, bad, bad.

Christian's in Peru!!!!

He got to Peru this morning! He will be at the Peru MTC for 3 weeks and then on to Bolivia!!! Talked to him last night. He called from LAX. He was scared but excited. His email this morning is completely different. He sounds happy to finally be there.

Temple Square Lights

We decided to see the lights early and avoid the crowds. Every year we go see them close to Christmas, but then again, we were visiting then. Now that we live here, we can go anytime! We also took Traxx instead of driving downtown and I loved it.

I love the reflection fountain on the East side of the Temple. It's beautiful! I love the nativity scene in the middle.

It seems like there are less lights every year, but I understand. No need to overdo and waste all the electricity. It's beautiful anyway. It was such nice night to be there!

We had dinner at The Garden Restaurant. On Thursday, I get to go back as I'm taking my office to The Roof for our annual Christmas party. Love the view from up there!