The very first activity we did in December was a new thing I had heard about that I had thought of doing a couple of times but just never made it happen. It was at “This is the Place” and it’s called the Christmas Kindlemarket. They copy all the German Christmas markets and I saw a post that Elder Uchtdorf goes every year and I thought it would be fun to check it out. Elle and Cash couldn’t make it so we just took the little boys and we had a fun time even though it was PACKED.
I also went up to Logan to spend the day with Elle one day and take pictures for her Mission Papers! We went to lunch and then went shopping and bought Ugly Christmas Sweaters and bought her some groceries and took pictures together. I love her a million.
We made gingerbread houses and went downtown to City Creek and saw the candy windows, and I took Tate and Kemp and went to A Christmas Carol with my Dad. They LOVED it. I loved it. It really touched me this year. Such a classic and spiritual story.
Then the next big thing…we took my dad and went to a Raiders game! It was something my dad has wanted to do for a long time mostly for the buffet ha ha which we actually had a hard time getting into Jeff, the guy who usually hooks us up, did his best but they’ve gotten stricter and without wristbands we really couldn’t go through the buffet. Luckily, we were able to steal my dad some big shrimp and a plate of a few other things and he at least got to see what it was like down there. Which honestly was like a dream of his, and we managed to get him down to our seats and we watched one of the most incredible raiders games I’ve ever seen and actually that Toby has ever seen too which is saying something! I’m glad we were able to spend that time with my dad and make those memories with him. We drove back to St. George that evening and spent the night in our condo. The next morning we went to breakfast at Tiffany’s and ate the most amazing crêpes. We also went and visited my uncle Doug and aunt Ginny and actually dropped my dad off to spend time with them while we went and played some tennis and went and visited the Kelsch’s for a bit and then we drove home.
Other happenings in December were winter formal for cash, letters to Santa and going down to the river bottoms and Maglbys which ended up being kinda of a bust since we have to eat gluten free and couldn’t get their all you can eat French toast. Might have to find a new tradition there. We also went shopping for sibling gifts while Elle was down here. Well, actually, she finished the semester and is down to spend a week or two before Christmas, which has been amazing. On the 22nd we drove around to see Christmas Street and Nativity Street and we made grinch cookies. Then on the day before Christmas Eve, we went and spent the day with Kathy and Alpine. The 24th was on Sunday, which is always my favorite Sunday of the year. We just stayed home together and got ready for Christmas. We did our traditional fondue which was delicious. Then we went to my parents where are the kids put on the nativity, sang songs, and the older kids sang from the Polar Express. Wouldn’t be Christmas without that. The kids opened their Christmas pajamas, and we headed back to our house for the sibling gift exchange and to spread reindeer food and put cookies out for Santa. Gosh I love these traditions. Then upstairs to read the polar express. Then Toby and I watched It’s a Wonderful Life while we prepped for Christmas morning.
I really don’t know how to put Christmas morning into words. It will go down as one of the most memorable Christmas mornings of my life. Everything was going perfectly. The kids were opening their presents ,laughing, happy, exchanging gifts all of it just like you picture. And then else stopped, looked at her phone looked up at us and said I just got my mission call! Just like that on Christmas morning. We had already talked about trying to get everyone together sneakily to let her open her call, but we thought it would be a week or two after Christmas. But they must’ve wanted to surprise those that were leaving around this time and send them their calls on Christmas morning was just shaking. We all were it was always her plan to let cash open it and read it first. We debated for a little bit how to go about it and whether to wait or not, but we decided to just open it then and there together as a family. So cash went ahead and read it first While we examined his face for any clues. I’m so grateful I captured all this on video. Then it was turned to read it. Tears fell down from her face as she read it and bless her heart. Her hands were shaking as were mine. The words she read were so beautiful, and the spirit was so strong. When it got time for her to say where her assignment was, and she said Frankfurt Germany, I just couldn’t believe it. My grandpa Albert’s mission and Toby’s brother TJ’s mission. It made perfect sense and felt so right. Couldn’t have recieved a better gift on Christmas morning. And then she got to read it two more times, once surprising Kathy, Tory‘s family and TJ. What an amazing experience that was. A total surprise to them and again the spirit was so strong and tears were shed. TJ, I think was especially excited to share that bond with her. And then she got to read it again with all the Downs in my parents home Christmas evening after all being together and exchanging presents… another video that I will treasure forever. As soon as Toby asked everyone to quiet down so Elle could read something for him, and she started reading it, my dad immediately covered his face and started to cry. Everyone was so surprised and so happy and there was just a feeling in the room that’s hard to describe. Truly, my favorite Christmas ever. Frankfurt Germany is getting the best of the best and that is where a huge piece of my heart will be come May 2024.
