December is always filled with piano recitals, school programs, and dance recitals.  I love watching our grandchildren perform.  We always hope that events will not overlap. We were not so lucky on Monday December 17th. So, Grandpa went to Syracuse for Logan's school program and Logan and Brighton's dance recital.  Grandma stayed in Murray for Jamie and Jordan's piano recital.  Brighton danced to the song, Little Drummer Boy and Logan did Hip Hop.  Grandpa took a video or their dances and when I figure out how to download them I'll put them on the blog.  

 I think I have decided that our Christmas traditions are to do new things every year.  On Monday, December 3rd we decided to try going to a live nativity in Alpine Utah.  The only problem everyone in Provo, Lehi, and Salt Lake decided to go to.  It took 45 minutes to drive the little ways to the street and stake center where we were to park.  Then we got in line and found out the line to ride in the back of a horse trailer was one hour long.  Richard did some investigating and found that we could walk to the destination.  Then the line there was another hour.....the only thing is we didn't know it was an hour because they hide the end point and lines like they do in Disneyland.  You think you are there and find the line just winds around inside a building.  Someone had a great idea but the joy was lost with the crowds.

One of the great blessings of the past year has been all the outings I have been able to do with my Dad.  We went to Breaking Dawn, the 007 movie...Skyfall, four wheeling, Hansen Planetarium, and here we are at the Festival of Trees.  Dad took over 100 pictures.  He was so excited and finally was forced to stop taking pictures because his camera battery died.  He made a whole photo album of his favorite trees, wreaths, quilts and gingerbread houses.  We enjoyed a cinnamon roll together and he had to get some divinity to go.  Love You Dad!

It always chocks me up when I read the stories of the dedications for the beautiful trees.  This one was especially touching.  It was dedicated to the two missionaries who were killed while riding their bikes while on their missions.

 Sunday November 25th, we were proud grandparents as our first grandchild Jordan was ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood.  He was so excited to be ordained by his father and will be the only deacon in his ward.  In a talk he gave for the Primary Program, he said he was excited to go to Priesthood meeting with his dad and happy he didn't have to go to girls night out anymore.  He is such a good example for all his cousins to follow and is always striving to do what is right.  Congratulations Jordan!

So as usual....I forgot to take pictures of the Jones family Thanksgiving gathering in Park City.  We played arcade games, ping pong, did lots of swimming, some midnight shopping and had a dinner with everyone.  Always a fun time!!

The first snow of the season and Richard decided we needed to make a snow dinosaur with Logan, Brighton and Eden.  The only problem was that the kids didn't have any snow clothes and boots.  We improvised, but Richard ended up making most of the dinosaur by himself.  He didn't care though because he had so much fun.  In case you haven't guessed...we made a stegosaurus.  

Halloween was a bit different this year.  Richard had just got home from his humanitarian trip to Africa and I had spent 10 days with Kristi, Mark and Brendon in Indianapolis.  We didn't get to do our family Halloween party.  I missed seeing everyone in their costumes.  I flew in late on October 30th and within hours I had the worst flu I can ever remember having.  I was throwing up for hours and actually passed out in the bathroom.  Richard heard a thud in the bathroom by the family room and kept calling out to see if I was alright.  He finally came and found me on the floor.  Richard went to the Viewmont Halloween parade and took these pictures.  I stayed home, too sick to go anywhere.  Jacob was Elmo, Jamie was a princess, and Jordan was a couch potato.   Too cute!

Family Pictures 2012

No doubt about it....I am blessed with the most wonderful children and grandchildren in the world!

Our photographer took over 260 pictures.  The pictures were amazing and hard to narrow down because there were so many good ones.  Here are some of my favorites.