Tis the season to be...

I am not quite sure how to complete this sentence. I can think of several words that apply. Here are a few:

JOLLY?

1. Russ and I were able to go and see the play "A Christmas Story" at the Electric Theater with his boss, Todd, and his wife. The play was fun and well performed. That movie is a true Christmas classic.

2. We loved listening to our favorite Christmas CD. My friend Mindy gave us a Christmas CD last year and we absolutely love it. Our favorite song is Mamacita, Donde esta Santa Claus? It also has a great song by Rob Thomas, Merry New York Christmas. We really listen to it occasionally throughout the year, but at Christmas time we get to listen to it everyday.

3. We love spending time with our families. We were able to have family home evening and make gingerbread houses with my parents and the Ellsworths. We spent some of Christmas eve with the Brooks and then had a Mexican Fiesta with my family. On Christmas morning Grandma and Grandpa Brooks, and Jill and her kids came over for Christmas breakfast. We had Christmas dinner with the Little's, the Ellsworth's, Harris and his daughter- Kristen, and Jill and her kids. Later that night Kurtis and his family came to town. We all congregated at grandma Brook's home. Grandma and Grandpa Hyde came to town on Saturday and we all got together again. It was crowded, loud, and fun!

DISAPPOINTED!

1. Grant asked Santa for a hamster for Christmas. Unwillingly, we obliged. Christmas morning as the kids woke up and ran to see what Santa had brought them, we soon realized that something was wrong with the little rodent. The thing DIED within two hours. It ruined Christmas morning as we watched the little guy kick the bucket. (no pictures of the morbid experience)

2. We bought grandma Hyde a watch for Christmas. I set it on the kitchen counter Christmas morning to wrap it. Gracie jumped up to the counter with her new DS and knocked the watch on our tile floor. The watch face shattered. SO SAD! Anyway, we have had to order a new watch-face and will now have to mail grandma her present.

3. Let me just tell you about our Christmas tree. Last year, I hit the after Christmas sales. I bought some really cute decorations for our tree. I was so excited to decorate our tree this year. Well, our fake tree was falling apart last year so Russ took it to D.I. We were going to buy a new one this year. Russ' secretary at work has a bunch of land up above Cedar City. They asked us if we wanted them to cut us down a tree this year. Russ said that would be great. He gave them $35 and they cut down for us a 14 foot PIECE OF CRAP tree. It was bare at the top, really full in the middle, and very sparse at the bottom. We ended up cutting 4 feet off of the bottom of the tree. It helped a little, but not enough to get us excited. Kami came over to our house and laughed hysterically for 30 minutes. She then made a phone call to my mom to tell her she needed to make a special trip to our house just to see our tree. Every time I made a comment about the tree, Russ said I was hurting the tree's feelings. Unfortunately, these pictures do not do justice... it doesn't look half bad in the pictures.

4. We once again didn't get around to sending out Christmas cards. So don't feel left out... nobody got them. We are losers in that regard. We try, but we are rarely successful.

EXHAUSTED!!!

After being up late every night making gifts for co-workers, wrapping presents, shopping, and enjoying the festivities. Then getting up early to exercise, work, clean, and prepare for more festivities. We were completely exhausted.

GRATEFUL

I am so grateful for our Savior Jesus Christ. I am grateful every year that we are able to celebrate His birthday, remember His life, be more giving, be more forgiving, and feel His love as we serve others. I love the Christmas holiday for that reason most of all.