The Spirit of Christmas

This year we were able to do various activities that truly brought in the Spirit of Christmas. The Sunday after Thanksgiving we attended a choir concert by the Boise State Institute. It was awesome! I don't think that Garrett cared to much for being there...but Alyssa enjoyed the music.
Next, Travis, Alyssa, and I sat in a live nativity scene as Mary and Joseph...Alyssa was not supposed to be in the scene, but she had fallen asleep just before our turn and we didn't want to leave her alone so I held her instead of the baby doll! She stayed asleep for our time slot so it worked out fine. Then we walked around to see the hundreds of nativities on display. It was awesome!
We introduced the kids to Mr Kruger's Christmas. We ended up watching that several times throughout the month. Garrett would pretend to be Mr Kruger while he was leading the choir...Too funny!
I was introduced to The Forgotten Carols. I actually have the soundtrack, but have never seen the play. My friend let me borrow a copy of the live play. I loved it! Now the music makes sense...Imagine that!
We had the opportunity to volunteer at a different church to help with their food bank. We were assigned to be carriers since we had our boys with us...Alyssa got to go the the Ward Christmas Party with our friends. We helped carry the groceries to cars...It was hard to see sooooooo many people lined up. It was good to offer our service, but we felt a little out of place. The best part of the evening was talking to a young man from one of the charter schools. A big part of their school is volunteering. The kid was just high on service! It was fun to listen to him and watch his excitement of helping those people. I didn't say anything...but I should have...I know what that feeling is! Wyatt saw a huge difference in our two churches. The Spirit was missing. It was dead inside their chapel. How blessed I feel to belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
I started the tradition a few years ago of getting a new ornament for the kids each Christmas. This year I decided to make our own ornaments with pictures of the Savior. They were very simple. But they just looked beautiful on the tree.
We helped out another organization by buying our tree from a church charity group. This was absolutely the most beautiful tree that we have ever had...Did I get a good picture of it? No! I don't think about pictures until it is too late. We wanted to cut one ourselves, but where we live you have to travel pretty far to even get to any evergreens. I was grateful to find this group...they helped us and we helped out a little too!
I had the chance to make another turkey...I'm like a turkey-pro now! Next...I have to master the gravy...Thanks, Matt! We shared it with two great families in the ward. It was a fun night!
On Christmas Eve there was all kinds of excitement in the air! I think the kids were more excited this year than any other...Or, maybe it was me! We had a great month with a lot of good family activities and now time for the big man...
We shared a great meal with the Elders and another super family from the ward. The kids played sooooo hard. I love having the full-time missionaries in our home. If you haven't had that opportunity or taken the opportunity...you definitely should. They have such a great spirit with them, and they are a great influence on my boys.
This year was one that I hope to remember for along time...not because of presents, but the feelings of the real meaning of Christmas...The birth of our Savior.
Merry Christmas Everyone!