This was the week of Christmas! Christmas Eve (Sunday night), we had a turkey dinner which Grandma shared with us. Afterward, we went to walk among the Christmas lights at city center. Ben stayed home because he was sick.

Monday was Christmas day!! In the past we have had at the MOST one child missing Christmas morning. So, it was very different to have only four kids with us! But we cherished and are grateful for each one! In a surprising twist, Calianne joined us for gift opening on Christmas morning (Christmas night for her) on a video call! It was a very different morning and we still had fun!

In this shot you can even see Kevin on Christmas morning!

Ben with tissues.

The only shot of Ben without tissues!

After opening Santa gifts, we had traditional French toast breakfast. Then we went back next to the tree to open dollar-tree gifts from each other. It was a tradition we decided to revive just with the kids at home. It was really fun! Sarah and McKay came over later in the day and Avery and Lila got to open presents from Grandma (me!). A man from our ward came over later in the day, too, and we all played games. It was a fun Christmas day.

On Wednesday night, Kevin started his new Change 2.0 online class. We all watched his opening program upstairs while he recorded downstairs. He's been working hard on it and it's going to be a great class. We are ready to make 2024 full of good things!

Savannah was encouraged to take the week off and use her sick days. What she hadn't been planning on was actually being sick! She got sick not long after Ben. Kevin is sick, as well. Mariah, Beth, and I are the only holdouts! I took Ben to the doctor on Wednesday because his eyes and ears became infected. He feels better on the antibiotic and you can't track his movements anymore by the mounds of tissues he leaves behind, but his coughs shake the house! Savannah went to the doctor Saturday and found out she doesn't have Covid, Strep, or Pneumonia which was comforting. She did lose her voice, though. Poor kid!

So, we didn't do many activities this week! We did make our annual trip to Barnes and Noble to make use of the gift card we love receiving from Grandma and Grandpa Elton. That was fortuitous because we had good books to read while we lounged about the house! We also had a couple of visits from Sarah and her girls and Avery always cheers us up!

Mariah has run everyday! She has met up with some friends and watched movies with us some of the evenings. On Thursday night we had a game night with our neighbors although we didn't end up playing any games! We ate yummy nachos and listened to their newly returned (cute!) missionary tell great stories. On Saturday afternoon she went to the BYU men's basketball game. She has managed to still have a good vacation! Yay!

Beth took a dive emotionally this week, but was feeling enough better Saturday (and Ben, too!) to have their neighborhood friends over. It was good to hear them all laughing in the house again. Beth went to the church dance that night and had great fun! She even danced with three boys!