A Wonderful Christmas!!

We had guests on Christmas Eve. Kate and Cora Alder got stranded at the Las Vegas airport and came to stay the night. We were glad to have them with us and it was fun to have a baby in the house again. Matthew was smitten with Cora from the first moment he saw her. Everything became, "Cora" this, and "baby Cora" that. For a week. It was so fun to watch him want to take care of some one smaller than him.
Kate is the bravest woman in I know. Traveling with her baby six weeks after having three vertebra fused from the accident last summer that killed her husband. She was so happy and gracious while she was here. I hope Kate will count me as her friend because I will always do what I can to help her in any way. Again, the bravest woman I know.

The kids had a great time opening their presents. Matt got loads of Disney's Cars cars and all the kids had fun playing with them. Courtney got a fish tank from Santa and we spent the day after Christmas picking out fish and plants to put in the tank. We are now the proud owners of seven tropical fish and four new babies. Two Tails, Flame, Pooper, Pongo, Purdita, Sunshine, Sword Tail, and four baby Nemo's. They have been a lot of fun. So far.

Mitch got a guitar and Spencer got a wall ball and four DS games. All around a great Christmas.

It is wonderful to know that through all the gift giving and hustle and bustle and hassle, that what it is really all about is that Christ came to the earth for us. And we, if we are obedient, can live with Him again.

We had a great time at M&M World over the Christmas break. We took the kids on a little outing with my brother and his family when they came to town for the Las Vegas Bowl. We had a great time. The kids loved eating M&Ms. Yummy!!!!

The primary children did a live nativity this year at our ward's Christmas party. Spencer was a shepherd. (And it boggles my mind that he is my only child in primary until next year.) They all did a wonderful job with the songs and with being reverent in the moment.

Well, then Santa showed up and I guess that Courtney will be my only child with an aversion to him because it is quite obvious that Matthew is very comfortable being on his lap and showing a bit of personality. He is the spark in our otherwise relaxed, yet busy lives. I am learning patience, slowly. But he loves me more than I deserve and "lets" me be the one to help him with EVERYTHING.

We all had a wonderful Christmas this year and we know how truly blessed we are to have each other, the gospel and the Savior in our lives.

We always have a great Thanksgiving with the Court side of the family on black Friday. It's nice to know that everyone will always be there and not at in-laws. Grandma always takes care of the girls and has coloring books, puzzles and bingo. The boys always play basketball and other ball games in the gym at the church (where we always have Thanksgiving dinner). Dani, Bethany and Courtney are very happy to be there, and Matt was excited to be able to get dessert.

We had a wonderful time at Grandma Clingo's surprise birthday party at Thanksgiving time. So many family members were able to come to show her how much we all love her and appreciate her. David sang, she opened presents, we ate a lot of food, and she cried a bit. Her children, grand-children, great-grandchildren, siblings, in-laws, nieces, nephews and friends were there just for her. What a fun evening we had together.

Mitch had a solo/duet this year in his school's Gershwin program. He did a fantastic job singing 'I've Got A Crush On You'. We were so proud of him.