Last Christmas in Louisville 2018

Merry Christmas Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas (hear the melody).

This is such a special and most wonderful Christmas to me for three reasons.  

1) It will be the last Christmas in our beloved home that we had for nearly 17 years.  Our kids looked forward to Christmas every year, we decorated the tree, hung ornaments, baked and decorated Christmas cookies, and tried to give them away.  We sang carols, and most of all remembered the Savior even more dearly at this precious time of year.

2) This year brought another special treat - as it is the first Christmas for Devon and Sierra as a married couple.  We are so happy we could have them with us for their first Christmas!  Betsy was really looking forward to spoiling Sierra and sharing all of our beloved traditions - and there are a lot!!!!

3) AND by no means any less important, it is the first Christmas with Cayson with us.  Jessica, Tate and Cayson arrived after Christmas (because it was the year for Jessica and Tate to be with Tate's family at the cabin in Montana).  Betsy paid for them to come so they could be at the wedding reception for Devon and Sierra.  We wanted the whole family to be there (minus Robert being on his mission).

Unfortunately, Devon got sick with a stomach virus, that also spread to Sierra, Marissa and Betsy.  Devon was only sick for 18 hours, Betsy was sick for 24 hours, but it hit Marissa for 36 hours and it affected Sierra for 3 days.  It was a horrible sickness that caused nauseousness , vomit, and diarrhea.  Mark and Devon gave blessings to Marissa, Betsy and Sierra because the pain was so intense.  Betsy and Marissa were able to gingerly continue with the families activities after the symptoms disappeared and they felt confident they weren't contagious any more.  Sierra didn't even want to get out of bed.  YIKES!  We all felt so terrible for her, and offered soup, bread, whatever we could to ease her discomfort, but she just wanted to be left alone.  Poor Devon wanted to ease her pain so much, but there wasn't anything he could do, either.  

Pre Christmas Festivities:

Devon and Sierra arrived 

Traditions, Traditions
This year it is going to be too hard to get in all the family Christmas traditions that we love and cherish.  The kids came home too late from BYU to be able to get all of them in - but we will try.  One of the most FAVORITE traditions is cutting, baking and frosting Christmas cookies.

We love baking cookies for Christmas

Do you want to build a snowman?  (from Frozen)

Devon and Sierra getting married in the Payson Temple

Another FAVORITE tradition is dressing up in Shepherds clothing for Christmas Eve dinner.  Jasper even joined in the fun this year.  We had Teriyaki Chicken Kabobs, Salmon, White fish, crab, unlevan bread, Mediterranean vegetables, and all the sauces.


We have been doing this tradition since we lived in England (2001).  Here is a Then and Now from when Jessica and Devon were in High School (2010).

Jasper is buried in the costumes - so cute

Sierra and Devon were Mary and Joseph

This year Devon and Sierra were Joseph and Mary.  So cute!!!

Betsy, Mark, Sierra, Devon and Marissa

2018 - Last Christmas in Louisville

After Christmas Eve dinner we built a fire in the outside pit and sang all the Christmas songs of our Christmas Song Packet.  I think Mark and I like this part of our family traditions with great affection.  The songs speak only of Christmas and help us feel the true meaning of Christmas.  We then read from the scriptures.

Christmas morning was awesome - everyone actually slept in - I don't think that has ever happened.  They still wanted to stop at the stair for the typical photo but I told them they didn't need to this year.  We spend all morning opening presents, laughing and sharing in the joy of Christmas and giving.  Betsy was overjoyed to have this wonderful time with Devon, Sierra and Marissa as our last Christmas in the house.  We are excited for Jessica, Tate and Cayson to come in on December 27th for Christmas and Devon and Sierra's wedding reception.

Hugs for Devon
Sierra and Marissa hug on him

Best photo!!!  

Mother and Daughter
Mommy and Marissa

Marissa in front of the tree

Dad opening his stocking

Betsy rented a gray leather couch and chair so we could have furniture for Christmas.  The room felt very different without any of our normal - every day furniture in there, but it was all good just the same.  Betsy also put the pink antique chair in the room so she could sit by the tree to pass out presents.  Yay for Mom!!!

Mom, Devon and Marissa

Sierra in front of our rented chair.

Sierra's first Christmas with us

Devon and his girls

Hi Mom

Merry Christmas

The Family
Sierra, Devon, Marissa, Mark and Betsy

Jessica, Tate and Cayson FaceTimed us from Montana on Christmas Day.  They look so cute in the matching pajamas I sent them.  They have been having a wonderful time with Tate's family.  We will pick them up at the airport on December 27.  I can't wait to have them home with us.

Cayson's first Christmas

The bond between a brother and sister is unbreakable.  So cute!

Devon and Marissa - Bro and Sis forever

Devon got a BB8 for Christmas - it was such an awesome treat - he loves Star Wars

Mom was so excited about bb8

      

  

    

So cute!!!  Devon liked his present from Marissa

Goodies for Devon!!!

Mom got Marissa some good waterproof boots

Devon always has the best enthusiasm

Two days after Christmas another wonderful present arrived.  Jern Jern came from Thailand for Devon's wedding reception.  It was so wonderful to have her back with us.  She is so sweet and kind.  We took her and the family to a Thai restaurant the first night she was here.  She could only stay a few days so we wanted to make the most of it with her.  Poor Sierra still didn't feel 100% when we went to the restaurant so she chose not to eat any Thai.  She decided to go sleep in the car.  I felt bad for her because she thought she felt good enough when we left the house, but then the smell of Thai food made her uncomfortable.  Luckily, we got her some bread from another restaurant and she started to feel better.