A CLOSE FAMILY

December/Christmas Activities

The Savior of the World took up a lot of our Christmas time throughout December but we still were able to make lots of memories as a whole family.

Reese got to put up the star this year...we'll see how long Dad's shoulders can handle this...

We had the David, Jen, and Jeach Roura over for making a gingerbread wonderland and it was super fun!

WE also shopped and went "Elfing" with the Roura's too. One of our favorite things to do during Christmas time is finding families to give to. It seems like most years we can't bring them to their actual house and see the excitement from the families. But this year was awesome! Us and the Roura's split up the list of needs/wants and wrapped on our own. Then we all went together to their house in Orem and started with a prayer. Then we drove to the family's house and rang the door bell and ran and hid behind some cars. We could hear the children yelling and all the excitement! It was so awesome!

We went to the live nativity in Alpine and that was neat. Super cold but still hoped bring the spirit. Benson and Jane's favorite parts were the live camels and cows and ducks :).

Daddy taking them to Scheel's for some ferris wheel fun.

Grandma and Grandpa Close in SLC before our comedy show by Nate Bargetze. We had a lot of fun going to dinner at 7 Brothers, then Gma and I walked through the lights at temple square to go get my vehicle.

We always love seeing the Christmas in Color light show and this time it was super close to our house so we invited Kristen and Andrews fam and Boose, Derek and Charlie to join us.

The Fishbowl party was at Thanksgiving Point this year and was so fun to have a date night with Cade.

Reese's Chrismas choir concert at Lincoln.

Making and decorating sugar cookies!

Nora going with her friends to see a Christmas Carol production.

I went on a field trip with Nora to a JBiztown...a real life job and city type of experience. They each got to learn about cities and businesses and how they run. It was cool and help at Zion's Bank and Nora worked at KSL.

Benson at his cute preschool Christmas program. Me and the older girls had SOTW but Cade and Grandma went to support!

Our Bleak Fam Christmas party was at Bryan and Jennie's house this year. The food was super yummy as always and the games/gift exchange were great!

The older cousins couldn't have their Gma sleepover in the summer and so they did it during the Christmas break. Well, since we would still have 3 of our own kiddos with us I decided to invite all the girl cousins Lucy and Jane's age to a sleepover at our house! It was super fun. We played lots of minute to win it type games, had a yummy dinner, watched a movie, played at the park. Everyone slept well too so that was a bonus!

Christmas Eve we decided (for a service project) to make charcuterie boards and take them to the police station and fire station to say thank you for all they do. I hope they enjoyed it :). I always enjoy doing service with my family!!

Reese's 14th Birthday!

Happy birthday Reese!!!

The best part about her week was that we surprised her with TAFT coming! Grandpa Close was in California and was going to come back for Thanksgiving so we asked Tara last minute..."what if Gpa brings back a birthday present for Reese??" It was totally epic! I wish I could post the video on here but we put Taft in a giant box for Reese to open an early birthday present. She was so surprised and so excited!

Reese also went out for bowling and ice cream with Taft, Nora and Kenzie Waite. Cade took them and they had a great time.

Reese and her dad learning some dance moves together.

WE also went to a John Bytheway Fireside with our Israel friends, Julie and Beatty Dustin the night that Taft arrived.

Savior of the World Production!!!

This was such an incredible experience this fall!! I am so grateful my girls would choose to do the "Savior of the World" production with me. I did it twice back in 2017 and 2018 but having my girls do it with me was AMAZING!!! We kind of had to talk Emma into doing it with us but then she ended up liking it probably the most. It's so amazing to be around kind, Christ-like, wonderful people and have them love your children too. I am grateful for all of the people we got to meet and be around. I am also grateful for Cade for sacrificing a lot to allow us to do it. Maybe in a few years our whole family can do it together?! That would be amazing.

Back stage with Brooke and Lehuanani -

Here are lots of pictures of all the people who came to see us and supported us!

Cade came on the preview night where families of the cast could come and younger than 8 could attend. I'm glad Benson and Jane and Lucy could come see what we have been doing for all of these long rehearsals. Cade said Benson would make comments like "Look it's mom!" And "Mom's singing!" So cute. Cade also let Lucy and Sadie Swan and Evelyn Folker come too. He was a trooper to bring all those kids!

Cade came with Gma/Gpa and Taft-

The cast sang happy birthday to Reese on her birthday -

McRae Van Noy and her boys (look at the gorgeous flowers she gave us!) -

President and Sister Lewis (from our first married stake presidency) -

Emma's good friend Ollie Lee and his family -

Nathan and Steph and their oldest 4 kiddos -

Byron and Keri Lawrence and Olivia and her boyfriend -

Boose, my mom, and Derek (Boose's boyfriend) -

Jeneane and Kenzie Waite -

This is our little stage family. Ty Crossley played Father, I played mother, Savannah Ogden played Mary and Lucy and Zeke played our other children. They are all so awesome and I loved getting to know them!