Christmas 2008

We spent Christmas in Utah with family. Isabel has been planning for Christmas since the day after Thanksgiving, and this trip did not disappoint.

We ate dinner at The Garden restaurant on the top floor of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building with all of Shad's family. We had a window seat overlooking Temple Square; the Christmas lights are beautiful from that view. Afterwards we walked through the Square to look at all the decorations, including nativities from different cultures.

We slept at Nick and Michelle's house (a.k.a. Sydnee's house according to Isabel) Christmas Eve. Isabel, Sydnee and Isaac let us sleep until 7 am; a miracle considering the girls woke up at 3 am earlier in the week just to read books together.

Isabel bought Shad a Batman figure so that they could "play Barbies together". Grandma Arvi made an incredible photo book of our vacation together last summer. Grandpa Lon gave Isabel a Univeristy of Utah chair, to which Isabel promptly replied, "I'm going to BYU" (indoctrinated by Shad and Uncle Nick).

We had planned to visit Brenda's brother, Mike, and his family but were initially deterred by bad weather. So we got up early (4 am) Saturday morning and drove to Blanding to surprise them (see next entry).

We also spent time with many friends who we have not seen for a while. Everyone made the annual MPJSB (Michael, Phillip, James, Shad and Brad) party for the first time in several years. We were given this priceless ornament (again). Notice the signature in the lower left-hand corner. Do you recognize this handsome gentleman? If so, e-mail us.

Merry Christmas.