Christmas on Temple Square

It was COLD, but the kids had an early day today and so we braved the elements and journeyed northward to Salt Lake City.
Our first stop was the Legacy Theater in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building for the film about Joseph Smith.

Joseph Smith The Prophet of the Restoration has been produced under the direction of the First Presidency as part of the Church's commemoration of the 200th anniversary of Joseph Smith's birth.

The film depicts events in the life of Joseph Smith from his early youth in Vermont to his martyrdom in Illinois at age 38. It recounts Joseph's search for truth as a young boy, a search that resulted in divine revelation that set his life on a path of service and sacrifice in restoring the Church of Jesus Christ. Through scenes of his interactions with family and with early Church members and others, viewers will see both the personal and public sides of Joseph's caring nature and prophetic leadership.

Let me tell you, this is a three hanky film!

• Joseph is dragged out of his home in the middle of a cold night while he and Emma had been sleeping with their twins. He was tarred and feathered. While Emma is cleaning his wounds and they are wondering why this has happened and Joseph says "Perhaps I am meant to swim in deep waters"
• As Joseph Sr is dying and he calls Joseph over to ask "Will I see Alvin (his eldest son who had died from an illness) again?" Of course Reagan and my parents were on my mind and in my aching heart. I am SO grateful for the knowledge that Joseph brought to us about the eternity of families!!
  
• After the loss of 4 children and years of being thrown out of their home and running for their lives from New York to Ohio to Missouri to Illinois Emma asks Joseph "Do you wonder if god asks too much of you?" Joseph replies, "I try not to."
• And then as he and Hyrum prepare to travel to Carthage where they have been demanded by the governor to make an appearance we see Emma's hand slip from his and she says ever so quietly "You will come back to me". People from town are lining the road knowing they may never see Brother Joseph again. And the bagpipe is playing Praise to the Man.
  
• And finally when the bullets begin ripping through the door while the three men try holding it shut as if they could protect themselves from death...Wow, it was all overwhelming...

We decided to try to find Kian a snack when we ran into our dear friends from Fishers, the Rocks who are serving a mission in Temple Square (and by the way...they look so amazing!! What is in the water at Temple Square?) They told us that we could ride Trax for free to Gateway the outdoor mall. So off we went and Kian was so excited to ride the train. We were able to get a snack as well as some hats and gloves for a few members of our family who were ill prepared for the COLD. But it was a beautiful night.

Then back to Temple Square to experience the amazing spirit that is present amongst the beautiful lights!



We had taken a few pictures right after the movie before we headed over to the mall.

Kian with the Native American Nativity


The Japanese Nativity

The lights...





Then finally we were off to experience Pat's Bar B Q in South Salt Lake. The very same one that was featured on Diner's, Drive-ins and Dives from the Food Network.

Wow, talk about a dive! It is on a tiny side street among industrial buildings but Oh was it GOOD! It was the Porch Pounders onstage and the food was absolutely without a doubt the BEST Brisket and pulled pork and cole slaw I have ever had. WOW, a great time!!
I think a Christmas Temple Square tradition was born--Hallelujah!!!!!

A Grown-up Christmas...finally!

Doug has an amazing job...
They are such wonderful people.
Last night they closed early (at 3:00) and we then met for dinner at Chef's Table in Orem.

A lovely restaurant where we had our picture taken (kind of like Prom) and were served a buffet which included two kinds of salad (Doug couldn't believe that one of them was a Caesar Salad WITH chicken!), ravioli, roasted potatoes, vegetables, huge chunks of salmon, rack of lamb, boneless chicken breasts in a wonderful sauce and hunks of filet mignon. Then came dessert: Cheesecake, a Chocolate Dome or a Baked Apple Beggar's Purse. I chose the Chocolate Dome of course, but I will have to admit that Doug's Purse was actually better. Who knew fruit could be so delicious :0)

Then we were off to the Scera theater in Orem where we saw Nuncrackers.
"The musical features the same beloved nuns from the original show: There are Reverend Mother (played by Celesta Rimington with a Minnesota accent), Sister Mary Paul“Amnesia” (played with a Southern accent by Deborah Bowman), wisecracking Brooklyn street nun Sister Robert Ann (played by Rebekah Martin Osmond), Sister Mary Leo (a ballerina wannabe and stage manager nun, played by Kelsey Seaver) and Sister Hubert (who thinks she should be the Reverend Mother, played by Janna Gates). Shawn Mortensen plays Father Virgil Manly Trott as well as Sister Julia, Child of God (with a spot-on Julia Child impression, of course). The script calls for four children, but the Littles cast twelve to play Mount St. Helen’s most exceptional students."
It was hysterical and touching and I am now friends with 2 of the cast members on Facebook :-)

Plus he was given a Christmas bonus and let's just say that it was better than a ham!

The last five years were incredibly hard, but I am so grateful that they brought is here. I could not be happier--
Merry Christmas

Guarding Stance--Yes Sir!

This afternoon was Kian's first official Karate class. He is very excited to get there and get some "iy yahs" done! That's what they have to say every time they kick or punch.


He is showing off his "guarding stance"

Look at my little white belt...I am very impressed with their philosophy. I have had no contact or experience with Karate except for the obvious Karate Kid, but they really teach the kids about respect, courtesy, focus, positive attitude and staying clean.
He even gets Karate homework besides practicing his moves, he has to keep his room clean, read everyday and do other chores of his choice without being asked.
He can't wait to go back...yay!!

Online Auction for the Jones Family

I came across this online auction for a woman who lost her husband on Thanksgiving here in Utah in one of the caves. They have a small daughter and are expecting a baby. I didn't realize until now the link I gave you doesn't explain their story. This young family had come to Utah to visit their families for Thanksgiving and to let their family know they are expecting another baby. The Dad and some friends went spelunking the day before Thanksgiving and fell. He was trapped and tragically died after several rescue attempts were made.

I noticed there are new items added so if you have kids (especially little girls) PLEASE check it out! There are some darling hats, bows, bags, vinyl lettering, booties etc.

I wanted to share it with my generous friends--if you are getting a gift for Christmas why not support this little family?
Please take a look there is a large variety of items.

http://adailyscoop.blogspot.com/

May the spirit of Christmas fill our hearts!

Little things I learned from Amy

I got to use a new trick that I learned from my friend and pseudo little sister Amy Hughes--

My perfect napkin display at the Edgemont Third ward Christmas party~
Yay for little talents :0) Thanks Amy!!

Why I blog...

I really have no grand designs to keep a day to day history of all the happenings of my family. However, I have always kept a journal and this is an extension of that...with pictures! I'm not sure if my kids will enjoy it or just laugh...Hopefully both.

O Christmas Tree...

The day after Thanksgiving we went and picked up a really nice tree that Doug's parents offered to let us have. They are down-sizing and since all of our Christmas boxes and ornaments and such are still in Indiana they knew that we could really use it.
I struggled only a little because I have always had a real tree, but the last few years we haven't had a tree at all so I figured it was better than that. Besides it is a really nice tree, it fits perfectly and with an 84 pack of ornaments from Costco it turned out beautifully. Kian couldn't wait to have a Christmas tree. He doesn't remember having a big tree and he was so hopeful that there would be a star on top.
Mom also had a few other Christmas decorations that they were clearing out and lo and behold there was a light up star tree topper!

So our house is beginning to look a lot like Christmas and it is terrific!