12/14/15 Monday

     I took this photo at sunset a few days ago. I don't think I've shared it. It was even more beautiful in person. It is nice to stop once in a while to notice the beauty that surrounds us. 

      Today I met with a client in the morning. I've thought that if I could pick whatever I wanted to do with my time it might be to meet with small business owners and help them learn how to run their businesses better. It helps them and it helps them serve their customers better. It feels like a win. 

     Rebecca and Sarah are both sick and throwing up today. They are being so brave about it. Tonight some of our friends (Michael and Jessica Hallsted and the kids) came carolling. They brought treats and invited us to see the Mesa Temple lights. What a great FHE idea. For ours we watched some Christmas videos on the Church website. 

12/8/15 It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

     Today Heidi found a quiet moment to get out some of our Christmas decorations. Those include a Nativity set that came with our house in Provo and some decorative houses given to us by Gram's sister Cathy. These things, along with the tree, have made a noticeable difference in how Christmasy our home feels. 

      Aside from decorating we received a lovely visit from Gram and Papa. They brought the sliced cheese and we provided the bread and pickles and had grilled cheese sandwiches. That's a popular dish at our house. Gram is slowly helping Joseph get used to the idea of preschool. The boy is no stranger to strong opinions. 

     In the afternoon I made progress on my CPE and some client work. Heidi was a big help with the latter. We also enjoyed a visit from cousins Bradley and Lauren. 

12/6/15 Christmas Fireside and Scout Training

    It never ceases to amaze me how much peace I find going to Church. You'd think that mobilizing 6 kids and trying to teach them to be reverent at Church would stress me out. It isn't easy, that's for sure. Heidi carries more of the load. She's more qualified than I am in that area. Still, the point is I feel greater peace after going to Church than before. 

      Today Heidi trained 3 adult leaders   Of the 11 year old scouts to use scoutbook. I'm so proud of her for doing her calling. It's going to do those boys a world of good. 

       This evening was the First Presidency's Christmas Devotional. If you missed it you should check it out at lds.org. Inspiring messages and beautiful music. It's a great combo. 

12/5/15 Christmas Program, Christmas lights

     This morning was our ward's Christmas breakfast and Primary Nativity  Program. 

     Here are David and TJ both dressed as shepherds. 

     Sarah was a Shepherd as well. 

     Rebecca was cold. 

     The kids all sang very nicely. This afternoon we helped hang Christmas lights at Grammie and Grandpa Mangum's. Peter wanted to help me on the ladder. 

     Here is how it turned out. 

     We also did some cleaning at the church and installed another monitor. Another busy day. 

Christmas on the Road

We spent Christmas this year in Arizona and California. Some of the fun things we did include looking at the Temple lights at the Arizona temple, playing at Amazing Jake's (a kid-centered arcade place), and visiting a cool train.



The weather was a little chili in Mesa this year, but we were ready for it. It was nice to be almost too warm in my winter coat.




David had lots of fun playing the games and running around. Rebecca wore herself out chasing her brother.


I had a pretty good battle with David at Air-Hockey. His eye-hand coordination was put to the test this time.




David Had lots of fun exploring the "cab-ba-boose" with Gram and Papa that is parked near the motorhome. He kept knocking on the door to see if anyone would let him in, but it was locked.










David and Rebecca also had fun racing their new chevron cars in Grammie and Grandpa's kitchen.