A couple of days before Christmas we needed something for Isaak to do to keep him busy and happy. We took off his shirt, put him in the high chair and gave him his first whole chocolate chip cookie. He loved it and it looked like he ate the whole thing! Then a few days later I dug in the high chair to clean it really good and I found half of the cookie.

Christmas Eve Tai and Hilary got their families together and Tim, Jordan and I crashed it. The Christmas Eve party consisted of dinner, pin the nose on Rudolph, frost sugar cookies, treasure hunt, Christmas Pie (this is not the kind of pie you eat but a family Christmas tradition), pinata and kids laughing, screaming and having a great time. This is Jordan holding Hayden and Brielle.

Everyone opened up a Christmas Eve present. Can you guess? It's pajamas! This is Lana and Hayden in theirs just before leaving. Hilary refused to put hers on. Go figure!

Kailie loves to color! Christmas Eve was no exception. She colored one in her new coloring book before going to bed.

And last but not least...It is almost time to undecorate the house. I don't feel like it has been up long enough and I haven't heard Christmas music enough. I may have to listen to the music a little longer. In the evenings I loved turning off all the overhead lights and turn on the tree lights, mantle lights, kitchen counter lights and front room lights. It was a lot of soft lights illuminating the home. So pretty! Again, thanks to a wonderful friend for her help.

Merry Christmas to any who choose to read my blog today. Today is the day I am cleaning and preparing for another marvelous Christmas Day! It is a gift and an honor to know who Jesus Christ is. He is our Savior and Redeemer. He is there for me and you. Now I am sounding preachy and that isn't my intent. So here is a story I love and I want to share it with you. I hope you love stories as much as I do!

The Interview
A man passed away, was resurrected, and was waiting in a room to be interviewed. Another man was ahead of him. The door opened, the first man entered, and the door closed. The man on the outside could hear the conversation on the other side of the door. The interviewer began: "I would like you to tell me what you think of Jesus Christ."
"Well, He was born of a virgin in Bethlehem. He lived 33 years or so, spending the last three in His ministry organizing His church, choosing His apostles to direct it, giving the Gospel to direct our lives."
The interviewer stopped him and said, "Yes, that's all true, but I want you to tell me what you think of Christ."
"Well, He was tortured and crucified that we might have eternal life. Three days later He was resurrected that we might return to our Heavenly Father."
"Yes, that is true, but tell me what you think of Jesus Christ."
The man paused, a little perplexed now, and then continued: "Well, he retoreed the gospel in its fullness to the earth through Joseph Smith. He reorganized His church, gave us temples wherein we might do work to redeem our dead. He gave us family prayer and family home evening where we might unite with our families. He gave us the priesthood to heal the sick and personal ordinances for our salvation and exaltation."
The interviewer again stopped him and said, "Thank you. All of what you have said to me is true." The man was then invited to leave the room. After he left, the door opened and the second man entered. As he approached the interviewer, his eyes opened wide. He fell upon his knees and cried, "My Lord, My God."
-Author Unknown

May we all know Him. MERRY CHRISTMAS!

I love Christmas. I love the decorations. I love the gift giving. I love singing in the Ward Choir. Going back to the decorations, I am not a top decorator. So this year I asked a special friend to come to my home and help me put some of my decorations together. She just took what I have and place it together in more organized manner. I feel like my home has a more peaceful atmosphere. Thanks, Donna!
So this is what she did to the piano! You can't tell but there are lights woven into the decorations. At night it looks so soft, warm and beautiful.



Donna took some pictures and plaques and arranged them on my wall. I love it!

Brooke graduated from Beauty School Saturday, December 20, 2008. I am so proud of her accomplishments. She has been doing my hair for a little over a year. She has worked extra hard to get done. She put in many long days. First working at the credit union and then going to school in the evenings. Whew!

Brooke's dad wanted to give her flowers at graduation. I was proud of him for thinking of doing it. Way to go Tim! And again, way to go Brooke! After the short ceremony all of my family (except Andrew because he is still on his mission) and all of Andy's family came over to our home for a little lunch. It was a great day and a great reason to celebrate.

Once again, way to go Brooke!

It has been quite a while since I have blogged. It hasn't been because I haven't done anything, it is just because I don't take pictures when I should. Plus, I have been busy doing Christmas things. Yesterday Kailie and Jordan snuggled into the couch. I couldn't resist taking pictures of them. Kailie wasn't asleep in this picture but she really did go to sleep a couple of minutes after this was taken. It is good to have Jordan home for the Christmas!

Saturday was the annual family Christmas party for my brothers, sisters, in-laws, nieces, nephews, children, etc. Our travelling to Alaska family came and stayed overnight. Ron and Kathie allowed us to take pictures of them with Brielle, Kenzie and Kailie. This morning Kailie asked me where that girl who stayed overnight was. Was she home? She was looking for Kathie. One of these first days I will have to learn how to scan pictures into the computer to blog about. I would love putting in family pictures of Tim's family and my family. They are pretty important people to me.

Sunday morning Kathie, Ron, Tim and I went to Salt Lake City to attend "Music and the Spoken Word" on temple square. I had no idea the special treat that was in store for us. Not only did we get to see the program but they did almost the entire concert that had been prepared and performed the week previous. The guest performers this year were Brian Stokes Mitchell and Edward K. Herrmann. They were fabulous! I believe I will buy the CD next year when it becomes available. Pres. Monson and Pres. Uchtdorf were in attendance along with their wives. After the performance there were plaques given to them for them to remember being there performing on temple square. It makes me wonder if they have any idea how important Pres. Monson is. He is a prophet of God! He is the most important person on the face of this earth at this time! When Pres. Monson walked in I felt a thrill run through me. It was an honor to stand on my feet to welcome him into the room. Anyway, it was a wonderful program. Kathie and Ron's daughters are the ones who arranged for the tickets to be able to attend. Thank-you Tammy and Cindy!

I have been tagged by Ashley! I won't tag anyone else because everyone I could tag has probably already been tagged.

Actually, I just found a picture I thought was cute and have been waiting for a chance to use. So, here was my chance. I think this was taken last fall. Several of us went to Red Robin to eat lunch on a Saturday and Andrew and I posed for our picture to be taken. Not long after this picture was taken Andrew entered into the Mission Training Center to begin serving his mission. Ah, still a little over a year to go! We miss you Andrew and are proud of the wonderful service you are doing.