Girls at the Temple

Calista has joined Young Women's and was able to go to the temple for the first time.

It was a chilly evening, but we still took a few photos outside before we headed inside.

Calista's words: 

"I went with Mom and Dad and my friends Olivia, Bethy, and Charlotte. It was the most wonderful experience I've ever had. Even in the waiting room, I could already feel the Spirit and it was just so peaceful. 

"Doing the baptisms made me feel very happy. I felt like the people I was doing baptism for were looking down on me, happy. The Spirit was also telling me that I was doing the right thing. It was so fun going to the temple with my friends. I can't wait to go back again!"

We can't wait to take her again, either!

Christmas bells are ringing!

As always, one of our big starts of the Christmas season was the kiddos' Christmas concert. 

This year was in person (yay!), making it the first - and last - year that Kyler and I have no children sitting with us in the audience. How freeing!

Craig did the introduction for one of his class' songs.

And Calista has been looking forward to this year for a while now: probably 6 years! 

She finally got to play the handbells! She was so cute, telling me her hair had to be back so that she didn't get any oils on the bells, and nodding to her friend Christian whenever it was his turn to play a note.

They all did great, even if they won't smile and pose for me. Sigh.

And with the concert out of the way, it's time to prepare for the big day itself!

Christmas eve brought pajamas, obviously.

And, also obviously, Christmas morning brought cinnamon ring roll.

I got up pretty early to make sure we have breakfast before church. Definitely worth it, though, to make my great-grandma's recipe. 

We all got dressed in our Sunday best.

Not a bad looking crew, I think!

After church, it was back into pajamas

to open presents

and start using them!

They're learning the rules and also how to lose with grace.

With Christmas over, we were then able to enjoy the rest of the break from school/work.

We went on a couple of different snowy walks and sledding, too.

And when weather was decent, 

we also just had time to relax and play outside.

When weather wasn't as decent, we went to the library

And used our Christmas gift from Ken and Maria:

Year-long passes to the Science Center!

My favorite part of Christmas break, though, was in the calmer, quieter moments. 

Kyler decided to read aloud The Hobbit to the children. They were into it.

Except when Caleb fell asleep in my arms. Still, even he liked it. "I hope the dragon eats Bilbo!" Caleb said. "Or he gets burnt to a crisp."

The kiddos (with help from Kyler and I) even re-wrote the lyrics to "Whistling In The Dark." Presenting, for the first time in public,

"Riddling In The Dark"

A Hobbit came up to me and said I'd like to exit your cave

Before the goblins catch me and send me to an early grave.

What has it got in his pocketses, not hands or knife or string,

I lost the game and that Thief, Baggins, he stole my precious ring.

(Chorus)

There's only one thing that I know how to do well

And I've often been told that you only can do

What you know how to do well

And that's be you,

Be what you're like,

Be like yourself,

And so let's have a wonderful time

And get on with riddling in the dark.

Riddling in the dark

Riddling in the dark

Riddling in the dark

Riddling in the dark

Riddling in the dark

There's only one thing that I like

And that is riddling in the dark.

A spider came up to me and said I'd like eat you whole

And chew you with a side of dwarf within my webby bowl. 

We were trapped like flies but it was time to save the day.

I take my sword and chop them up: few of them live today.

(Chorus)

A Hobbit came up to me and said I'd like to take burgle your hoard 

And give it to some hungry dwarves, sitting outside, bored. 

But I'd rather go out and burn the town sitting on the lake.

To not inspect my armored chest would certainly be a mistake. 

(Chorus)

Riddling (riddling), riddling (riddling)

Dark (dark), Dark (dark)

Riddling  (riddling), riddling (riddling)

Dark (dark), Dark (dark)

Riddling (riddling), riddling (riddling)

Dark (dark), Dark (dark)

Riddling (riddling), riddling (riddling)

Dark (dark), Dark (dark)

Merry Christmas, everybody! I hope you felt the love of your Savior and that no one stole your precious!