Christmas

Christmas in Utah was great. The drive from our home in St George to Salt Lake was just as one of the many snow storms was starting. It was very spooky driving from Beaver to Nephi in the storm. We stayed at the old house where Bruce and Tara were great for accepting us as guests.

Monday most all of the family came by and we had a great time making candy. We have a tradition of Caroling and giving home made candy to our friends.

We went to spend time with our son Clay and his wife Allision. We had dinner with them and enjoyed their company. Cody, Clay's son has a athletic scholarship to attend Lewis and Clark a small College in northern Idaho. He will be on the cross country team. Amanda was her vibrant self and Calab and Aaron was excited to see Grandma and Grandpa.

Marlene wanted to go to Temple Square. Melody and her children went with us. A new display has been added in the "Temple view area" of the South Visitor Center, a mock up of the Temple with a cut away so all of the interior can be seen. Several tough screen displays showing videos of the rooms inside of the building have also been added. One of the most often questions that we were asked while We were on our Mission was "what is inside of the Temple". What a great way to help others understand that there is nothing secret about the inside, but it is a place of God.

Friday, Christmas eve every one gathered at our old home to go out Caroling and to give gifts of candy. Tara, Bruce's wife had organized and prepared a special dinner for everyone. The evening ended by having the Nativity presented. Melody was the Angel as She has always been. Mathew, Bruce and Tara's Son was the Christ Child, but we needed to substitute a doll as he would not stay in the manger. He is almost one year old and is very active. We then exchanged gifts.

We opened all of our gifts on Christmas eve but we still had our stockings for Christmas morning. Spending time with Marty and Melody's family on Christmas morning was wonderful but as I was totally exhausted, feeling sick, having commitments for Sunday in St George. We drove home in the afternoon.

Roy and Angel came by our home on Monday on the way to Salt Lake City. They spent several days with us. Tuesday, while Mom and Angel went post Christmas shopping. I went with Roy and the kids to visit the "Jacob Hamlin Home" The Guide was great. The site is by the river so we were able to see the damage and effects of the flood that took place during the time We were in Salt Lake for Christmas.

It was great to be with all of the family but being home with no snow in our quiet home is wonderful.