Christmas and a lot of Temple Square in December 2022

West Jordan Concert Choir

at Assembly Hall

Top Left: There were lots of people who were lined up to with tripods to photograph this point so I figured I'd see what they saw. I'm guessing their photos were much better than mine. lol Top Left Middle: West Jordan Concert Choir in the Assembly Hall. Top Right Middle: Sunsets and Christmas seemed to make for a beautiful photo. Top Right: The City Creek Center Beautiful Christmas Tree. Under Top Right: The benches in the Assembly Hall didn't have much leg room. lol Bottom Left: The boys with the beautiful water fountain. Bottom Left Middle: When we saw a black cat roaming around the temple we all joked that Satan was lurking around. Center: The Salt Palace looked so pretty with the nice sky behind it. Bottom Right Middle: The Assembly Hall is such a beautiful building. Center Right: The temple seems to be moving along. Bottom Right: My boys checking out the temple.

One of the most amazing moments happened after the choir performance. As we were walking around temple square, Braxton he joined another choir member, who was from Brazil, in singing a song they both knew. As I watched these boys walking around and singing, I realized that music really is the universal language. You don't even have to know a language to be able to sing one of the songs. Music has an amazing way of connecting us to each other and to heaven. I think that is one on the reasons that Christmas is so special. Christmas music connects us to each other and the Savior in heaven above!

Timpview Choirs

at Assembly Hall

Top Left: Someone thought it would be funny to scribble out the "don't" on this sign. Perhaps they were benefitting from the panhandling?? Top Left Middle & Bottom Left Middle: The moon looked cool as it came up over the mountain. Top Right Middle & Top Right & Bottom Right & Bottom Right Middle: The choir set up in the Assembly Hall. Bottom Left: There was a little more room in the curved benches upstairs. lol Center Right: I took another photo of the road since it was darker. It still didn't turn out as well as I'd hoped. 

Top Left & Bottom Left: Braxton and I posing downtown when we went to hear Brinley West perform with Timpview's Choirs. Top Left Middle & Bottom Right Middle: The choir singing in the foyer of the Conference Center. Top Right Middle: Nordstrom had some fun color on their building. Top Right & Center Right & Bottom Right: Beautiful winter scenes with the moon and the lights! 

Bottom Left Middle: Braxton with Brinley, Brinley's choir friend, Rory and her good friend Lily. 

Fun and Fancy Filters

Having some fun with photos and filters!

Sometimes it's fun to celebrate yourself.

Temple Square with the Youth

Top Left, Bottom Left, Center Right & Bottom Right: The fun part about youth trips downtown in a snowstorm is watching the girls leave message and hearts in the snow on the car windows. Top Left Middle: Elizabeth, Layla, Lexi and I at Temple Square. Top Right Middle: Evan Brooks, Cort, Braxton, Ryan Benedict, Tyson Butterfield, Brigham Blackburn, Truman Blackburn and William Brooks. Top Right: Cort and Marshal with the Christmas set up for the Tabernacle Christmas Concert in the Conference Center behind them. Bottom Left Middle: Jazz colored light from the Vivint Arena to share with Erik. Center: The Christmas video on the ceiling of the Tabernacle. Bottom Right Middle: Elizabeth, Lexi and Layla on the steps behind the Tabernacle.  

There's nothing like a bunch of teenage boys 

breaking out in Christmas songs together!

My boys are crazy and started to walk like the 

witches from Hocus Pocus on temple square. lol

Terra Linda Christmas Concert

After the choir concert we took the boys to Duck Donuts for a treat.

I saw this sign and it made me laugh so I have to snap a photo.

Cort did well with his speaking part

Christmas Cookies Song

Gingerbread House

Candy Cane Calypso 

West Jordan High School

Holiday Choral Showcase Winterlude

The cute Madrigals all snug in their jammies!

Fruitcake 

by Madrigals

Silent Night

by Madrigals

Carol of the Bells

by Concert Choir

Celebrate Me Home (Featuring Jantzen Dalley)

backup Concert Choir

Monotone Angel (Featuring Walter Abbott)

by Concert Choir

Dulci Jubilo

by Concert Choir

Still, Still, Still (Featuring Salt Lake String Quartet)

by Concert Choir

Somewhere in My Memory

by West Jordan Combined Choirs

This is the Place Heritage Park

Top Left Middle: We saw a deer in the back of a truck. It wasn't moving that I could see so I was sure it was just a plastic decoration. Top Left, Bottom Right Middle, & Bottom Right: Kent told me the deer's head had moved so he drove closer to prove that he was right. As we got closer we saw some deer close to the truck. Top Right: While we were watching the other deer we noticed this deer pop it's head out from behind the cab. I guess it wasn't a plastic decoration. Top Right Middle, Bottom Left & Bottom Left Middle: I saw a Dodge Challenger on the way to the park and told the boys that the challenge was to be the first to take a photo with Green Flake. I got these fun selfies from the boys! 

Top Left: I loved the cute decorations on the handcart. Top Right: Cort thought the ice cycles were cool on the building behind him so I took a photo of him with them. Center Left: I loved the lights on the tree. Bottom Left Middle: The whole feel of the park, including the fire barrels, was so much fun!

Top Middle, Bottom Left, Bottom Right Middle and Bottom Right: I loved this tree in honor of St. Martin. It spoke of a lantern parade for children every year in Germany. It was in honor of St. Martin. As a Roman soldier, St. Martin cut his cloak in half to give warmth to a man in need. Word of St. Martin's kindness soon spread. The townspeople wanted to honor and thank him. Not wanting the attention, St. Martin hid himself in a goose house. The Townspeople searched for him with their lanterns. The geese began to squawk, and St. Martin was found. Inspired by the good deeds of St. Martin, we walk with our lanterns & fill the darkness with our light. 

I loved all these great decorations and the caroling at the church house. 

It was such a highlight of my season to be here!

Top Left: Marshal took a creepy photo with one of the cows. Top Middle: It was cool that they had a live nativity in a barn. Top Right: I loved the star light they had on the ceiling of the barn where the nativity was located. Center Right, Bottom Left & Bottom Left Middle: More fun decorations! Bottom Right Middle: It was also cool to watch this woman making a two prong fork. Bottom Right: I also loved seeing the carolers bundled up and singing. 

Top Left: We had fun making candles our of bees wax. Middle & Top Right: Cort and Marshal were able to make it on to the NICE list! Bottom Left: Cort letting Santa know what he wants. Bottom Right: Marshal giving Santa his list.

So many beautiful lights to see! One of my favorite parts of Christmas.

Christmas Eve/Christmas Day

Christmas Lights Show in South Jordan, Utah

Top Left: Marshal read the word "peddler" and thought it was "burgler." Top Left Middle, Top Right Middle, Top Right, Center Left, Bottom Left and Bottom Middle: We enjoyed looking at the lights as usual on Christmas Eve. Bottom Right: Santa Clause and a shrunken head Mrs. Clause.

Top Left: We did something new this year. We decided to leave a gift for our favorite decorated houses. Top Middle: Marshal loved lighting his bees wax candle! Top Right: I loved the flag with Santa at this house. We also had to laugh because Cort and Marshal were told to take the popcorn and leave it on the porch. We just forgot to tell them to leave it anonymously. So my two boys walked up to a door, knocked on it and gave them the popcorn. I can only imagine how that went. Oops! Bottom Left & Bottom Middle: Kent and I taking a moment to pose for the camera. Bottom Right: We had Grandma & Grandpa Kunz and Uncle Devin over for Christmas dinner and played Chameleon. Marshal decided her needed to make up his own weapons card. This kid cracks me up!

A video of the BIG Christmas surprise!

New Years 

Reflection and Resolution

#1. My Three favorite memories are probably, #1. Attending Youth Conference and meeting all those wonderful youth councilors. #2. Being able to go to the Wings Over the Wasatch Air Show at Hill Air Force Base and finally see the Thunderbirds with my family. #3. Is a toss up between out trip to Bear Lake and attending the Ute Stampede with my family and Brinley North. 

#2. This one is tough, because I feel like if I know this answer for sure I would be on that path already. Maybe making money helping others develop a love for their ancestors, maybe as a life coach (not so sure on that one), maybe working toward a property for bringing families together. I don't really know.

#3. That I'm a lot smarter than I ever realized I was...and I have a lot to offer this world!

#4. That I'm not good enough or that I don't fit in.

#4a. I think I need to let go of the idea that I'm not good enough and perhaps stop trying to fit it!

#5. I think I'd like to spend this year looking for the miracles in my life. I know I am blessed by God, but I think I miss all of the miracles he sends me because I don't look for them often enough.

Life in December

Top Left: Marshal cracks me up. Checking to see if hot chocolate is on "my diet." He really is a smartie pants! Top Left Middle: One cute kid! Top Right Middle: They asked the kids to make a picture of the nativity to display at the ward Christmas party. I really enjoyed the one Marshal made! Top Right: We found this little crack up a new helmet. He looked so funny with it on while he was in the cart. Bottom Left: We've never really bought into the elf on the shelf idea. Kent decided to tell the kids this elf that his mom made him for a dance in high school was our elf. Since our elf doesn't do anything Marshal took it upon himself to help the elf move around the front room. Then he told us the elf moved all on it's own. lol Bottom Left Middle: This kid seems to struggle with pulling the blankets up on him. Bottom Right Middle: We found out that Marshal is one smart cookie and that he may qualify for the ALPS (talented and gifted program). Bottom Right: I decided to make some decorations with some balloons, water, and food coloring. Too bad it didn't stay cold long enough to keep them.

Time-Lapse

Top Left & Top Right: I love to take my boys to the temple! This time it was a trip to Jordan River. Top Left Middle & Bottom Left: We were so sad to see Alexa go, but we are grateful to have had the chance to get to know her and work with her! Top Right Middle: I am so grateful for the Whiteside Family and the blessings and example they brought into my life! Bottom Left Middle: Marshal and his thoughts crack me up! Bottom Right Middle: I love to see these beautiful trees lit up as Christmas time! Bottom Right: I sure makes you feel older when you start to find white hair and you know that it's yours.

Slow-mo

Top Left: This kid loves mashed potatoes! Top Left Middle & Top Right: I had fun coming up with new decorations this year! Top Right Middle: We had fun at the Smith house for the Ugly Sweater Party. The Lynn's got this game called Stare Off at the White Elephant Gift Exchange. Bottom Left: Someone was getting nice and cozy. Bottom Left Middle: Crushed Candy Canes for our new Candy Cane Cookies! Bottom Right Middle: I loved this quote about the goodness of family history. I wish I could remember the book it came from. Bottom Right: I really liked how these cookies turned out! Our famous cookies made with white chocolate and candy cane pieces and candy cane powder.

Top Left: Marshal thought that by placing his new nerf gun in the window that it might scare off the bad guys. Middle: I loved this quote from President Nelson about joy! Top Right: My good looking older boys! Bottom Left: Nothing like sitting in the comfort of your own home while watching your nephew play basketball while out of state! Bottom Left Middle: Braxton won this TV at the school assembly. Check out this Blog Post I wrote all about it. Bottom Right: I laughed when we saw what looked like this dog chauffeuring Ruth Bader Ginsburg around.  

Top Left & Bottom Left: The boys even enjoyed watching Aaron's game from home on the TV. Top Right: I decided to make crinkle cookies from a box mix. Too bad they weren't as tasty as they looked. Top Middle & Bottom Middle: I'm not certain what type of bird it was, but we saw this rather larger bird of prey likely a falcon perched in a tree in the neighborhood. Pretty cool! Bottom Right: We were grateful for the opportunity to attend Tanner and Brittany (Nordstrom) Gonder's Wedding. 

Top Left & Bottom Left: I loved this photo and text I got from Syrina. It’s so great to get positive comments on your kids spending time in other settings. Top Middle: While on the way to Grantsville for haircuts from Alyse, Marshal and I were the quiet game champs! Top Right: I’m sure you can guess which card won fake…California for the win! Bottom Middle: Since we were in Grantsville, we stopped at the cemetery to visit our ancestors, the Bectel family. Bottom Right: Marshal misunderstood tree huggers just a touch. I've never heard of tree hamburgers. Lol

Beautiful December

"Snowflakes are one of nature's most fragile things, 

but just look what they can do when they stick together."

-Vesta M. Kelly

"Feelings of worth can flourish only in an atmosphere where individual differences are appreciated, mistakes are tolerated, communication is open, and rules are flexible - the kind of atmosphere that is found in a nurturing family."

-Virginia Satir

"Maybe you have to know the darkness

before you can appreciate the light"

-Madeleine L. 'Engle

"Abundance is not a number or acquisition. 

It is the simple recognition of enoughness."

-Alan Cohen

“Blessed is the season which engages 

the whole world in a conspiracy of love.” 

-Hamilton Wright Mabie

“I will honor Christmas in my heart, 

and try to keep it all the year.” 

-Charles Dicken