Christmas and New Year's in Canada

We arrived back in Canada on the afternoon of Christmas Eve. We had convinced Grandma Nunn to host Christmas Eve dinner so we didn't have to drive to Taber after we had just driven from Idaho Falls.

We had appetizers and wings for dinner. Then Grandma Nunn had a program planned and the Young Nunns joined us on FaceTime even though they are in Idaho. We watched the new Nativity video that the Church just put out, and then we stopped and sang Christmas hymns (O Little Town of Bethlehem, Silent Night, etc). It was actually a really good idea, and I love the new Nativity.

She had given each us of parts of the nativity to dress up as (Austin and I were Joseph and Mary). We didn't act out the nativity, but we were supposed to think about that person as we watched. 

On Christmas morning, the girls didn't wake up until 8 am - the latest time ever. We are definitely in a different stage of life. Santa brought us a new basketball hoop. It is so fun to open gifts and see what everyone got each other. Lots of the gifts were not a surprise to the girls - they picked them out when we were in Utah for the weddings, but at least we know it will fit and they will like it.

The funniest moment of Christmas morning was a gift that Austin opened that said To: Dad From: Mom. It was baby pajamas with a note that says "Surprise."  Austin was trying to figure it all out when all of the girls were busting up laughing. It was Hanna's funny joke. Don't worry, I'm not really having a baby, but it was funny.

It was also a bit sad that Jill's stocking just got left hanging on the fireplace. But at least she is in a good place, and we did get to celebrate with her in Idaho.

We did drive to Taber for a delicious turkey Christmas dinner. Then we played some games with the Lees and Grandma and Grandpa.

Merry Christmas 2019

For New Year's Eve, Hanna went to a dance in Calgary with Maddie and Maddie. Lucy went to a stake dance in Cardston. Carly invited some friends over. They played Minute to Win It games, baked and decorated sugar cookies, played Telestrations, and then rang in the new year with horns and sparklers. 

On New Year's Day, we cooked steaks and played the Minute to Win It games again.

Christmas in Idaho

On the beautiful morning of my 44th birthday, we loaded in the car and headed south. Again.

Our destination was Logan, Utah. Jill and Larsen met us there, and we went out to dinner at Texas Roadhouse. I even sat in the saddle and let them give me a birthday shoutout - for my 29th birthday.
We all stayed in a suite at the Comfort Inn and went swimming where they had a sweet waterslide. Then we had some "pillow talk" as Hanna calls it and lots of laughing and talking before we went to sleep.

The next morning we went to visit Steve and Karma for a few minutes, and then we went to help Jeanette set up for Nathan's wedding luncheon, and then we went to the Logan Temple for Nathan's wedding (see the next post). We made it to the temple at precisely 1 pm (even though Grandpa Randy was worried we would be late).

After the wedding and luncheon, we headed to Idaho Falls so we could have a pre-Christmas celebration with Jill and Larsen, my parents, Sharon's family, and Julie's family.

We went to Christmas church with Grandpa and Grandma. Then Grandpa cooked hamburgers on the grill. Then we had a white elephant gift exchange. We laughed a lot. Austin got these quality ear muffs from Tristan's childhood that even have Tristan's name on them.

Then Sharon's family left and headed to Boise. 

We had a short message about Joseph Smith, and then we acted out the Nativity and sang a few Christmas carols. Then our kids opened their Christmas pajamas and all slept under the tree. (Larsen is a good sport:)

On Monday morning, we opened a few gifts with Jill and Larsen.  Then we went to the church and played a little basketball, went bowling and shopping, and then had a ham Christmas dinner. Let's stop and just record for all history who the bowling champion was - that's right, it was me. Kaylynn 117 points. After dinner, we went on a lights ride led by my dad (a little longer and more spread out than I would have done it and a little bit getting lost, but I did ask him to lead it.) Then we went out for ice cream.

On Christmas Eve morning, Jill and Larsen headed south and we headed north. We were going to race, but they had good roads, and we had lots of snowy roads where we were going far below the speed limit. Then we were almost to Butte, and we watched a car coming the other way start sliding and then go in the ditch and hit a pillar under an underpass head on. We quickly stopped and Austin headed to their car and told me to call 911. After I called, I helped gather blankets and went to the car to see if I could help. There was a mom and dad and three kids ages 1 to 7, and luckily they were all alive. We stayed with them until the ambulances came. Austin and I talked to her sister and dad on her phone since she was in shock and so much pain. The dad got out to try and help his family, but he was in so much pain they just laid him down until the ambulance came. Everyone else stayed in the car. One of the little boys, Donovan, crawled out of his car seat into the front and was crying, so I got in the car and held him. 

We couldn't stop thinking about it for a couple days. We are thankful that we were there at that moment to help them. We are thankful they were alive. We were thankful that we traveled safely on the icy roads. We were wishing we took their number so we can text them to see if they were okay.

Nathan & Tory - 3rd Wedding in 3 Months

Nathan is the oldest grandchild of Randy and Carol Waite, and he is now the third one married in three months. Jill got married in October, Hailey got married in November, and now Nathan got married in December.

Nathan married Tory Merrill. She is from Washington, and they got set up on a blind date from one of her mission companions who also went to Nathan's high school.  Tory wanted to get married in Logan because 5 generations in her family have gotten married there.

It was a cold day in Logan. But we love Logan and  the Logan Temple.

This is all 38 members of the Waite family. This was the only wedding that everyone came to, and we added 4 new people since the last family picture, and it could be years before we are all together again. 

They had their luncheon at Stan and Sandy Checkett's house (Sandy is my dad's cousin) in Providence. They had Cafe Rio cater, and it was delicious and they had a short and sweet program.

Here are the 3 newlywed cousin couples.

Congratulations to Nathan and Tory!

And to Jeanette who conquered 2 weddings in 2 months.

Leavitt Ward Christmas Party

One Sunday I was in a missionary council meeting when before I knew it we had volunteered to plan the Leavitt Ward Christmas Party. 

At the Agridome.

That's not very Christmasy - but maybe it is. Rod Olsen, the ward mission leader, asked me to be in charge of the food. I asked 3 people and they couldn't, so I decided to just do it myself. My idea was to have nachos. I bought the food and delegated out cooking the hamburger, cutting tomatoes, and getting the hot chocolate and doughnuts. Food still stresses me out. I had to give myself pep talks out loud while I was getting everything ready. But it turned out okay - we had enough food, we only blew the breakers twice before we figured it out, and people said they liked it and liked the change. And lots and lots of people came. We were so happy with the turn out.

I had asked Cherlyn Bevans to decorate. She recruited the Young Women. It was actually so cute for the Agridome. She decorated the food tables, put garland on the railings in the arena, we brought a tree and the Petersons brought a giant wreath. 

Time for games in the arena. Rod Olsen, who is in charge, says to Austin, I am not really sure what we are going to do. Come with me. Austin quickly organized people into groups and had relay races in the arena on sleds and then on piggy backs, etc. 

Then it was time for the Nativity. Mary and Joseph rode in on a donkey (that didn't really want to come in very badly). Carly, the angel, delivered baby Jesus (Sage Aipperspach) to Mary and Joseph. Then the shepherds and angels came in, and the wise men on horses. Then we all sang Silent Night. Who knew you could feel the Spirit in the Agridome? 

Then it was time for Santa Claus to come in. Bronc Pilling drove the cart with the mules pulling it.