Holiday Peak

Last week was rough on my nerves, and I can honestly say that I'm glad to be done with it.

The kids were out of school the entire week, which was great and awesome except for the fact that they were ALL "jacked up on Holiday Dew".  They were bouncing off the walls with Christmas excitement - even my teens.  Combine that with a husband who was very busy working super long hours being Santa's helper at work all week- Saturdays and Christmas Eve included.

It's a wonder I made it.

All week long I was like the 4th Destiny's Child chanting:

I'm a survivor

I'm gonna make it

I will survive

Keep on survivin'

Last week we had a jolly-holly good time at our local water-park turned North Pole.

Here we are riding along on the lazy river.  We went sledding down a waterslide and saw Santa.

It was really weird being at the water-park at night in the middle of winter wearing our snow gear instead of our swim suits.

We also went to Temple Square with my parents, Gram, and my sister and her boys.

I love Christmas at Temple Square. It's beautiful and the Christmas Spirit can be felt everywhere.

"The spirit of Christmas is something I hope all of us would have in our hearts and lives—not only at this particular season but also throughout the year."

-President Thomas S. Monson

Christmas Tradition

 Last night for FHE, we drove through our communities Festival of Lights, a tradition we've been doing for what seems like FOREVER.  Last night as I looked at all the beautiful lights, I couldn't help but think of THE LIGHT, our Savior Jesus Christ.

I feel His light in my life everyday.  His light brings me peace and joy.  It gives me a desire to keep trying.  It makes me want to be better.

After the lights, we took the kids shopping for their "Secret-Santa" gift.  Each Christmas season, our children draw names.  Throughout the month, they do secret acts of service for that person.  They also give a small gift to that person on Christmas morning.  The kids love sneaking around trying to make a bed or pick up a room without getting caught.  Most are even more excited to open their "Secret Santa" gift than they are any other present on Christmas morning.

This year instead of taking the kids one at a time or two at a time, we decided to just go for it, and take everyone (except for our oldest who was working).  The older kids went off by themselves, while Clint and I took around the younger ones.  We felt like spies as we sneaked around the store trying to not let anyone see what we gift we had picked out.  It was a blast!  This is becoming one of my favorite traditions.