Christmas Things

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in these parts, especially since we got a big snowstorm this weekend.  I don't like being cold, but I do think the landscape looks much prettier with snow, so it's a fair trade off.  During the past couple of weeks Danny and I have been part of quite the holiday festivities.  There is more to come, but here is what we have done so far.

Temple Square Lights

We went down among the masses to enjoy the Christmas lights on Temple Square along with my fabulous past roommates Rachel and Melissa plus their families.  It was so great to spend some time with them and their spouses.

I just love these girls.  Me, Rachel
and Melissa.

Me and the husband.

First Presidency Christmas Devotional

Danny and I didn't actually attended the devotional, but instead we sat at home and watched the broadcast.  (This way I can sit on my couch in my pajama pants and munch on quesadillas while enjoying the great messages.  Such behavior is usually frowned upon when visiting the Conference Center.)  Nothing brings the Christmas spirit into your home like the MoTab singing Christmas carols and the wisdom shared by the First Presidency.  I particularly liked President Uchtdorf's talk about being a grateful receiver.  You can listen to all the talks and music here.

Getting a Christmas Tree

We get a real tree every year, because a.) we don't have room to store a fake one, b.) they aren't too expensive and c.) the smell is A.MAZ.ING.  I love the piney freshness that greets my nose each time I enter our home.

Handsome Tree, Handsome Man.

Hanging ornaments with care.

Our family tradition is to get ornaments from each place we go on
vacation together.  Our latest addition is this little boat ornament from
Newport Beach, which we visited earlier this year.

The finished product.  I think it could use more lights,
but I still like it.

Walking in a Jonnifer Wonderland...

Utah Chamber Artists Choir Christmas Concert

We have this fabulous friend, Laura, who is part of the Utah Chamber Artists.  Being the super cool person she is, she got us tickets to their Christmas Choir Concert.  The music was heavenly.  Plus, the conductor got up and led those of us in the crowd to some Christmas carols before the show.  The orchestra played along.  Do you know how cool it is to sing along with an orchestra!?  It gave me chills.

Program and Ticket in hand.

Family Nativity

Every year we have a big Christmas dinner with my uncles, aunts, cousins and their families.  Afterwards the kids dress up and act out the nativity.  It is beyond adorable and there are usually some surprise guests that don't often get mentioned in the biblical account.

Little Super R in a moment of pondering.

What darling wise men.  

King E the shepherd, General J the sheep, Dr. C and Super R as the Wise 
Men and B. Anu the Power Ranger in footie pajamas.

Ry-guy the little lamb grazing on the
multiple options of candy.

I thought this was super cute of Ry-guy and Danny
playing the piano together.