Christmas Visits - 12/26/2020 - 12/31/2020

While we didn't get to have all of our usual, Christmas get-togethers, we did get to see many of the people we love. I already posted about how we were able to visit with Steve's girls and their families. 

Then, the Sunday after Christmas, our favorite missionary had his farewell. Elder Jackson Kearl is headed to Ethiopia (after doing home MTC for 8 weeks) to teach the gospel to the people in Africa. We will miss this boy, but are so proud of him for his example of service and love. We were able to attend his farewell and have a celebration with his family and friends after that. 

We were able to visit Steve's parents for a bit, just us... not all of the family at the same time, and we had to wear masks, but we'll take what we can get. Cole loves to play with their little reindeer who dances :) 

We visited my parents (who refused to wear masks or let us wear masks) and got to chat with them and have dinner.

Our friends the Shapiro family came by for a visit and a gift exchange. They are the BEST! They bought us a candy machine to put M&Ms in (well, that's the candy that both of our families love). They said it was for the "house that has everything". LOVE IT!!!! We weren't able to hug them but snapped a pic of the front door.

My Uncle Scott and Aunt Ronda and their family came up from Phoenix for a visit and to ski (unfortunately there wasn't much snow). We were able to see them and have a meal.

Then, my sis Amber and her husband Jared came up for a visit on New Year's Eve. We ate with them, Jared played guitar with Cole and sang karaoke with Reagan and we had a nice visit.

We really have used these karaoke machines and speakers a lot! They are so fun. We aren't great singers, but we enjoy playing around.

This was the first year that we weren't all together to ring in the new year. Reagan was at a girls' party with two friends and Cole had three boys over to watch movies and play video games. Although 2020 has been a disappointment in many ways (HATE any type of home school and hate that all of our trips were cancelled), our family has grown closer with all the time we have spent together. We have learned and grown and moved into our new home and neighborhood. While we don't want to repeat 2020, life is wonderful and we are grateful for all of the blessings that we have. You - our family and friends - are at the top of our list along with the gospel of Jesus Christ and this amazing country that we are privileged to live in. So, let's go 2021.... it's going to be a great year!!!!!