Christmas day was quick here. I think the kids get faster and faster at opening the gifts.

Grace got a cell phone and a polar fleece blanket.
Michelle: a cell phone
Gabby: 2 babies, a baby bed, and a baby blanket
The three together got a Karoke "American Idol" and an eye toy for the PS2.
Dave: 2 handmade shirts for work, a polar fleece jacket, and a Masonic pocket watch.
We sent the other kids their gifts.
Mandy got a gift card.
David got minutes for his phone.
Sam got a cd and a movie.

All is well. Thank goodness it is over. Man Christmas just gets to expensive year after year.

Today was a good day.
I woke up early and made 6 loaves of pumpkin bread and then Dave, Grace, and I jumped in the car and headed up to the Gorge. We stopped in and visited with Grandma Williams. She did not want us to go. She loves to visit. Dave had to tell us 3 or 4 times, it was time to go.
Then we visited with Bill, Mertie, and the kids. The boys have grown so much. Jared was very taken with Grace. Very cute.
Bill and Dave played all day at fixing a water heater on a delivery truck. We girls talked and talked and talked.
As we were leaving Luke gave me a big hug and kiss. Boy was I lucky.

Saturday morning I did get to talk to Sam and David. They are okay. David still has no job, but Sam is homeschooling. Doesn't sound like he likes it all that well. He is very much a social person. They say they are headed for Florida for Christmas vacation. Should be nice.

The whole family went to Colton last night.

The girls were invited to a concert in a snowglobe.

Upon leaving the girls got gifts:

shirts, a snowglobe, and a picture with Frosty.
how cute
Attitude...
best smile I could get this am

While at Mom's we all decided to get in the car and go for a drive.

We drove to Salem and visited Grandma Erma. She is doing

so well and seems very happy.

This was in the visiting room, thought it was cute.

Justin, what a good boy
Grandma
Playing
Gracie

Thursday evening Michelle preformed at Starbuck's

with the Cedar Ridge Middle School Choir.

They sounded wonderful.

Grace Just chillin'. Waiting for the singing to begin.

One of the neatest things, Starbucks had a large table set up for

kids to come and make ornaments, a face painter, and Santa. Grace had a fun time making

about 5 ornaments and eating free samples of cookies.

Today the Masons had an open installation of officers.

Grace & Michelle were asked to help serve the refreshments. Fun, Fun!

What a nice day we had. Dave was installed and he is pretty proud of himself.

After the installation we went to see a play in Sandy. A group of us from the Eastern Star went. It is nice to go with others. We saw "Moon over Buffalo" it was very different. I was glad to get out the house and do something (no kids).

The "Twelve Days of Christmas" was originally written to help Catholic children, in England, remember different articles of faith during the persecution by Protestant Monarchs.

The "true love" represented God, and the gifts all different ideas:

The "Partridge in a pear tree" was Christ.

2 Turtle Doves = The Old and New Testaments

3 French Hens = Faith, Hope and Charity-- the Theological Virtues

4 Calling Birds = the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists

5 Golden Rings = The first Five Books of the Old Testament, the "Pentateuch", which relays the history of man's fall from grace.

6 Geese A-laying = the six days of Creation

7 Swans A-swimming = the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments

8 Maids A-milking = the eight beatitudes

9 Ladies Dancing = the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit

10 Lords A-leaping = the ten commandments

11 Pipers Piping = the eleven faithful apostles

12 Drummers Drumming = the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed

On the Twelfth day of Christmas,

My true love gave to me:

Twelve drummers drumming