Favorite things I was given.

Each year I am more than spoiled with the things that people give to me.  Some of the items I get I just like, but some of them have a lot of sentimental value.  Those ones are my favorites.  This year I got  a few of those.

Mom gave me this jewelry set that I have desired for a long time. It is stunning and made very well.

Mom also gave me this set.  It was hers.  I remember her wearing it when I was a little girl.  It is molten glass beads with crystals in an art deco style.  I really do like them.  I was so jealous a couple of years ago when she gave a necklace to Charlene that I loved, but now I have one to cherish as well.

movies and books I have wanted.

Gift cards, a spa certificate (another one) and season tickets to plays so Shawn can go with me, or one of my kids.

More movies I wanted.

Ethan got me this sleigh to go with the Reindeer he gave me last year.  I am so excited for it.

Princess Eugenie Doll.  My Aunt gave this doll to my dad a couple of months ago, and I have admired it the whole time.  My Mom has one that she had  on display for some years.  My grandma made both of them.  Mom got hers the first Christmas after she married dad.  She has always loved it.  I have really cherished my dolls, especially since my other ones got stolen.  And to have a new one that my grandma made is simply wonderful.  And she is so beautiful.  I was so excited when he gave it to me that I was in tears.  When Lillie Ann came down with Mom's old one I was so excited for her as well.  What a wonderful gift for us.

The rose detail and beading in her hair.

One of the other most special gifts this year wasn't even given to me.  It was given to Jace.  Grandma Wanda cross stitched this stocking for Grandpa Merritt some time ago.  He has used it each year.  As you know he passed away this year.  Because Jace has Grandpa's middle name, Susan took his stocking and painstakingly Stitched his name on top of the Merritt.  She presented this to Jace on Christmas Eve with a lovely note about how he shares his name with a great man.  He was really touched and I was really touched.  He was a great man, and Jace is so lucky he got to know him.  I hope when he uses this stocking he always remembers what a wonderful person his great grandpa was.  

Christmas Day

Christmas was very nice to us this year.  We started early (of course) and then made the travels from here to Mom's house and then down to Susan's.  We didn't go to Grandpa's and it felt so strange.  I really missed him this Christmas.  We started the day with a devotional and really just had a nice nice day.  We really are blessed to have terrific families who love us and care about us, and also to have the gospel in our lives.  I am so thankful for the beautiful birth of our Savior.  He truly is what the season is about.  When we live like he did, we  can feel the true Christmas spirit.  I think my family found it this year.

The boys getting ready to sing Jingle Bells on their way up the stairs.

Jace opening a Dr. Who 11 Fez.

Excited about the fez and the bow tie.

Ethan enjoying his new ear muffs.

He really does like the shirts (Thanks Aunt Kecia!!)

Ethan likes his new Converse.

And his flask(hahaha) Thermos!

Cade waiting patiently for a gift to open.

Yep that's my Ethan!

A certificate to the Spa.  Always a great gift!!

Season tickets to plays.

The beautiful mountains out our back door at sunrise.

Olin enjoyed his Christmas Morning.

Our gift to Anthony, How to train your dragon 2.

Lill opening a gift.

Mom figuring our how remote control candles work.

Darin opening gift.

Dad's new tablet.  He's been asking for one, let's see if he uses it.

One of my favorite gifts from my dad!!!

Another of me with my doll.

Cole

This is the wreath Mom gave to Courtney that I made.

On Christmas day, Nicole and Marjorie Dawn came down to visit.  I haven't seen Nicole in ages.  It was a fun visit.

Lill got the same doll as me, well dressed differently.  She was as excited as I was.

The Sunset Christmas night.

Mom and Dad the day after Christmas

On the day after Christmas, Charlene came down and we all met up again.  It was a nice day.  Everyone was there so we took a quick family shot.  Not great of me... but everyone else but Herb looks pretty good.

This is Charlene opening her gifts.  I think she really liked them.

Christmas Eve

This Christmas Eve was a little different from those in the past.  Nice though.  Susan and Ed were leaving right after Christmas to go back to Quartzite so they asked if we could do it here.  We had no problem with that.  We had  Lasagna that was left over from the night before, and ordered some pizzas just in case.  We invited Courtney Hammond's family as they didn't have anything planned either.  We had a nice dinner. Then we had a religious presentation where we watched some videos about Jesus and his life from different perspectives.  Mary, Joseph, The Inn Keeper, a Shepherd and Jesus himself.  Then we opened gifts for the family.  Mine got jammies as usual.    Makae and Skyler came and then they had to leave to go to a friends house where they were spending Christmas so we  didn't get much time with them, but it was nice that she came.  I felt bad she didn't stay.  But..... I guess things move slowly.  It was a really nice evening and filled with love and the spirit.

This is Olin and Ella at their house on Christmas Eve.

Olin had a birthday so this is the card I made him and he got a gift to go get ice cream in it.  He was pretty excited.

I gave all of the little kids on both sides books that we don't read anymore.  They were all in really good condition as they only got out at Christmas, so they were practically new.  Meagan sent this too me of the kids opening theirs, and even told me that Sylvie insisted on listening to the music that went with hers, and having the book read to her before she went to bed.

Alex, patiently waiting for his pizza!!

Kayla (Courtney's sister, enjoying a cookie.

Courtney is perfect for Ethan.  They both love to pull funny faces.

Skyler, Makae's boyfriend.

Makae.