Christmas Eve

For years we have caroled as the Ely family at a care center. For the last 4 Christmases we have done a musical program at the retirement home that my Aunt Judy lives in. It's fun to see those sweet old faces so happy to be remembered at Christmas, and a little heartbreaking at times. You can see the loneliness in some of their eyes. I love that our kids will always have these memories of sharing the light and love of the Savior.

The family is getting bigger and bigger too. Josh and Leigh, and Dandi and her gang were not able to join us this year, but it still seemed like a ton of us. Grammy always brings fun Christmas hats and such for everyone to wear.

Daphne

Daniel

Freddy and Sara

Gavin and Steph 

Rich, Sam, Freddy and Laney

Nan

Susanna and Danica

Andrew and Madi

Papa and Andrew

Dani, Ben and Little Ben

Ryan

Me and my Sweetie!

Aunt Judy, Tony and Wendy 

Aubrey sang Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.

Heidi and Lilli

Heidi and Lilli sang a song together

Gwen, Tori and Jessi

Lilli and Sara

Laney sang The Manger of Bethlehem

Madi played Let It Snow on the flute. 

We did a bunch of group numbers throughout the program.

Gwen and Tori sang together.

Sara sang Here In My Arms

Daphne, Ella, Nan, Little Ben, Peter

Gavin beautifully sang, while accompanying himself, a rendition of O Come, O Come Emmanuel.

I sang Jesus, Lord, At Thy Birth.

Judy, Papa and Sara

Madi, Laney, Heidi, Susanna and Ben

Papa and Lilli

Sam spent awhile talking with this sweet man, Roy. He had so many great stories to share about life and serving in the Navy. He was stationed in Korea and pulled people out of the ocean there to save them during the war.

Papa, Lilli, Daphne and Cadie

Rich, Tony, Wendy, Heidi

Andrew, Laney, Freddy, Sara, Freia, Gavin, Fred and Peter

  

Daphne and Susanna

It's Almost Christmas!!!

The girls were so thrilled that their flower girl dresses arrived! They had to try them on. It will be hard to wait until Josh and Leigh's March 23rd wedding to wear them again.

They spin really well too!

Sunday was Daddy's birthday. He's 45! How did that happen?

We had lots and lots of roast beef for his birthday dinner, it's low carb and YUMMY!

After his birthday dinner, we went to the Mesa Temple to see the Christmas lights. Sara brought her friend Hannah and Gisela Decker, our neighbor, came also. Her husband, Jim, couldn't come because he was sick. Freddy and Andrew's friends, Alea and Ginny met us there.

It was gorgeous, as always. Richard and I got a picture under our olive tree. We danced under it the day before we got engaged, 22 years ago on December 5th, 1994.

The girls waiting in line to see the nativities of the world display. 

Everybody together

Tuesday evening, we had choir practice for our church Christmas program.  Afterward, Dad and I went and picked up a big Christmas surprise gift from Grandma and Grandpa Alger, Gram and Papa, Aunt Kathy and Dad and I. We had the kids go upstairs while we set it up. Our old sofas were pealing and falling apart, so this was an amazing gift. It fits our growing family better too. 

Thursday, was Sam's 22nd birthday. During the day, he and I went on a date to see the new Thor movie. It was hilarious and tons of fun!

For his birthday dinner we had beef massaman curry and jasmine rice. It was delicious!

The kids gave him some sweet notes and Takis.

Dad and I gave him a new Michael Kors jacket that he had fallen in love with at the store earlier this fall.  It fits him so nicely and feels great.

He modeled it for us.

Gram and Papa came by to wish him a happy birthday.

Friday at school, Daniel got to celebrate with all the 7th and 8th graders. They had a big party with activities and music. They had a game where they hit each other with flour tied into some pantyhose. He said it was the best school party ever! Jessi and Lilli were there too and sent me pictures.

Friday, we did some Christmas shopping. The twins went to the restroom at Walmart and came back with these lovely scarves made from paper towels. They said that they were getting all sorts of funny looks and that it was making people feel awkward. They loved every minute of it!

They are adorable!

I made some throw pillows for our new sofa to tie the warm and cool colors together. I love it all!!!

I snapped this picture today at church. Brynn is a good friend of Sara's.

It's been a ton of fun getting ready for Christmas. Last night we watched a bunch of old family videos of Tim. It made us all miss him terribly, but also got us soooooo excited to talk with him tonight. We are dying with anticipation for his call!