December UT Trip

The day after Christmas, we drove up to see my dad.  We left early and had a great trip.  We were able to see my dad before he went to bed.  It was so great to see him.  Jim and the kids hadn't seen him since July.  We were only able to stay for just a bit because it was getting kind of late for him.  My kids were so excited to see Jeff's kids and quickly got settled.  We played a lot with the kids.  Since it was just after Christmas, there were a lot of fun toys that the Wall kids wanted to show me and the kids.  It was fun just to play with them.

We did a lot of fun things while we were in Utah - we went sledding twice.  My kids love the snow and can't get enough of the snow.  We celebrated Jeff's birthday with Steve, Rachel, and their kids.  My dad came too and told us a lot of his stories.  Jim and I went out to dinner with Jeff and Lauren to celebrated Jeff's birthday.  We went to see my mom's grave and pay our respects.  It was so cold that we couldn't stay long, but it was good for my family to see the grave stone.  We sure do miss her.  We went to church with my dad and had lunch with him afterwards.  We visited with Mardy, Iralee, and their kids.  We had a blast playing games with the.  We visited with Richard and Gary with my dad at his place.  It was a nice visit   We went to the temple square and walked around the grounds one last time before the church changes the grounds.  We found out that they have a Crumble next door.  Of course we had to have a cookie.  We watched old Disney movies, which we agreed are the best. We went out to eat at Subway and a Pizza joint with Jeff, Lauren, and their kids.   We loved just hanging out with family.  It was a great trip to hang with my dad.

Visiting my dad

My mom's grave site

We love playing in the snow

Going to Church with my dad

Sledding day 1

Hanging with cousins

Visiting Temple Square

Christmas Lights at dusk

Christmas 2019

I love the Christmas season and we did a lot this year to celebrate.  It was hard not having my mom with us this year, but we found ways to honor her.  I planned fun things every day

1- We watched the new nativity film and the new Klaus Movie.  The Church of Jesus Christ put out a new nativity movie and it was realistic.  I loved both of these movies. My kids really liked the Klaus movie. 

2- We decorated gingerbread houses.  We bought a kit plus made extra frosting and bought extra candy.  I think the houses turned out great and were still standing at the end.

Gingerbread House

3- We played games as a family.  We have some great board games and we had such a great time.

4- We attended Emily's orchestra Christmas Concert.  Grandma and Grandpa Pace came to the concert along with Jim, Angela, and I.  It was a fun Christmas concert that we watched while eating yummy dinner.  One of the songs was timed to the lights on the board in the background.  It was such a fun concert.

Christmas Concert and Dinnner

5- We went to the RS Giving Machine night.  We served hot chocolate to those at the Giving Machine.  It was a unique service and was really appreciated.  We went to QT to get ice cream with the rest of the family.  We love QT ice cream.

Visit to Giving Machine with RS

We like QT's ice cream

6- We had hot cocoa and watched "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever".  The book was hilarious and the movie was too, but the book was better.

7- We went to Benson to celebrate as a Wall Family.  Brigham had to work, so he couldn't join us.  We had a yummy dinner, made gingerbread houses, and went through antiques and buttons.  It was  really nice together.  We missed our mom.

My Family

Quad Riding

Gingerbread Houses

Cousins

Sisters / Cousins

8- We went to Verticcio Farms to see the amazing lights.  Manny saw Santa and was scared and didn't want to sit on his lap.   We went through a pallet maze and had smores. The lights were really cool and we had a great time.  At the end, the kids just played ice hockey and other cool games.

Highlights 

They even had a snow machine.  

9- We had hot cocoa and drove around to see the Christmas lights.  We went to Sodalicious for the hot chocolate and drove around Gilbert to see some lights.  We always seem to go down the same street.  It's becoming a tradition.

10- We decorated gingerbread man cookies.  We used the recipe from Raddish and they turned out great.

Angela holding her gingerbread cookie

11.  Emmy went with the youth on a hay ride and we went outside when they drove by.  They stopped and sang a song for us.  It was cool to be caroled to.

12- We went to the Stillman Train Park in Scottsdale.  We rode around the train and saw some cool lights and then checked out the miniature train set.

On the Train

We had a great time

Their great light display

Great pic of the lights

13- We watched "Santa Girl".  Emily and I didn't like the movie and I don't think that we watched it.

14- We went to the ward Christmas party and then to the Giving Machines in Gilbert.

Danni and Jocelyn

Family at Ward party and Giving Machine

15- We went to see a model train just around the corner from our house.

Model train set

16- We watched "Christmas for a Dollar".  It was a cute movie and my kids and I really liked it.

17- Shopping at Barnes and Noble for gifts.  We were looking for a fox for Kenzie and a gift for Alice Johnson.  We saw Alice while we were there, so Angela just asked what Alice wanted for Christmas and we will just by it later.

18- Wrap Christmas gifts.  It's always fun to wrap gifts.  I used to do this with Lisa and my mom, but now I'll need to do it with my kids.

19- Watch "Christmas Oranges".  This was a sad movie and I ended up watching it by myself.

20 - Winter Break has started and I'm so proud of Emmy. It’s hard to get up early and go to school when your siblings can sleep in.  That night, we went to see the lights at the  Riparian Preserve.  We had a great time, but it was much more fun the first time.  It was really crowded this time around.  We wanted to get some ice cream afterwards. 

Start of Winter Break

Giant snowman at Riparian Preserve

Ice Cream after the Preserve

21 - We woke up early to see Star Wars.  I didn't want to pay a fortune to see the movie.  I really liked the movie, but I'm not sure that the rest of my family did.

22- Brigham, Danni, Manny, and Josh joined us as church for Christmas Sunday.  We just had Sacrament Meeting.  Afterwards, we had some snacks and opened gifts.  Later that afternoon, Danni and Brigham went to see Star Wars and we watched Manny.

Christmas Sunday

My girls and I

Manny with shades

23- We had our annual Christmas party.  This year, we had it at Grandma and Grandpa's club house.  We had bread bowls and soup, which were totally yummy.  The Turleys brought over some fun Jackbox games.  We played, talked, and had such a great time. It's always fun to spend time together.

Pics at the party

More party pics

Grandma and Grandpa took pics at the party

24- We had a yummy Christmas Eve with ham, scalloped potatoes, corn, and salad. Brigham and Danni joined us for dinner.  Afterwards, they played games on the TV.  It was fun to have them over for Christmas Eve.

25 -On Christmas Day, Brigham and Danni came over to open presents and have an brunch.  They left shortly after that to spend time with his family.  It was so fun to watch Manny open his gifts.  Lisa stopped by afterwards with some homemade licorice caramels, just like the ones that my mom likes.  We played games and packed for the trip the next day.  We had a great Christmas this year.  I missed my parents, but no that they are with us in spirit.  I did call my dad and he had visitors - Steve and his family.  It warms my heart knowing that his boys can visit him.  My dad spent the morning with Jeff and Debbie.

Manny opening gifts

Christmas Day

We really missed my mom this Christmas.  She was in our thoughts constantly.  We wanted make new traditions that involved mom.  Lisa bought Debbie and I a recipe book, just like my mom did for us.  She even made us licorice caramels like Seagull had.  I bought several batches of those myself.  My kids bought me a book with memories of my mom.  My kids and I each bought an ornament of my mom for the Christmas tree.  I also made an ornament with both my parent's call signs to put on the tree as well.  We talked about my mom and felt her spirit, but Christmas Day was hard.  We didn't go to her house to open presents and I felt that loss.  I didn't know what to do on Christmas afternoon, but I know that  feeling her loss was a step I needed to take this Christmas.

Light the World

1-The next time you receive a text today, tell that person who sent it something you appreciate about them.
2- Think of someone who is an example of Christlike serve.  Highlight their example on social media.
3- Play a game with your family.
4- Talk to someone new today.
5- Offer a prayer of gratitude for Jesus Christ and His mercy.
6- Find a way to help some one in need by making a small donation.
7- Think of your family members - off to Benson
8- Share a scripture with a friend or a loved one who may need a boost today.
9- Take a game to the Johnsons
10- Cheer someone they are doing a good job.
11- Call your dad and tell him that you love him.
12- Create a collage about how you feel about Jesus Christ.
13- Decorate for the Ward Christmas Party
14- Giving Machine
15-  Invite someone to attend Christmas service next week.
16- Learn about your ancestors
17- Be positive today. Greet everyone you meet with a smile.
18 - Think of someone who you've had negative feelings lately.  Pray for them.
19 - Take Emily's violin to school when she forgot it.
20 - Take treats to seminary for Em.
21 - Be patient as I plan and prepare for Christmas.
22- As God how you can be an answer to someone else's prayer
23 - Help clean up part and return stuff to Grandma and Grandpa's house.
24 - Help return a cart for a couple.
25 - LIGHT THE WORLD

My father gives Christ-like service. He silently served those around him for as long as I’ve known him. He helped his family, his ward family, and those in his community. He never wanted recognition but just the opportunity to serve. Now he serves the people in Bountiful. #Light the World

Memorable MondayPersonal Progress

Emmy and I recevied our YW Medallion through the Personal Progress Program.  The Church of Jesus Christ is ending the Personal Progress program this year, so Em and I hurried really fast to earn it

Emmy and I and our mediallions

Emmy's projects

* Faith - Attend Time to Blossom

* Divine Nature - Help Danni just after Manny was born

* Individual Worth - JHFO

* Knowledge - Mesa High Freshman Orientation

* Choice of Accountability - Choose to attend Stake Youth Conference

* Good Works - Help Angela

* Integrity - Take Notes for Conference

* Virtue - Read Book of Mormon

My Projects

* Faith - Start the Come Follow Me Program at home.

* Divine Nature - Serve dad as he recovers from the hospital

* Individual Worth - Help mom with her physical therapy exercises

* Knowledge - Learn about Guardianship

* Choice of Accountability - Help Tutor math for free

* Good Works - Help make a missionary book for a friend

* Integrity - Watch Conference and take notes

* Virtue - Read Book of Mormon

Each of my gurls and I with our YW medallions. They each earned them throughout the years. I’m so proud of my girls!!!

Angela's projects
* Faith - Pioneer Trek
* Divine Nature - Create beautiful art book
* Individual Worth - Trying out for Regionals
* Knowledge - Graduate High School
* Choice of Accountability - YW Journal
* Good Works - Serve - Feed My Starving Children / Randolph House
* Integrity - Watch Conference and take notes
* Virtue - Read Book of Mormon

Danni's Projects
*Faith - Graduate Seminary
*Divine Nature - School Play - Hamlette
*Individual Worth - Make a Family Cookbook
*Knowledge - MDLP - Finish for Graduation
*Choice and Accountability - Cooking for Family
*Good Works - Helping Ang on Laurel Retreat
*Integrity- Being in Spotlight
*Virtue - Read Book of Mormon

Memorable MondayChristmas 2004

This was our first Christmas with Emily.  She just was just shy of 2 months at Christmas time.  There are so many activities that we do during December to lead up to Christmas.  It all adds to the experience.

*Polar Express - The extended Pace family went on the Polar Express this year for our Christmas Party.  We drove up to Flagstaff and had dinner as a family.  We then drove to Williams to the Train Depot.  The Depot was all decked out and it looked so festive.  We boarded the train and enjoyed the trip.  We visited with each other, ate cookies, and sipped hot cocoa on the way to the North Pole.  Grandma Pace held Emily almost the whole way up to the North Pole    As we approached Santa's village, we could see more festive lights. We picked up Santa at the North Pole and he visited with each kid and gave them a bell.  It was such a fun trip!

How cute was the Depot

The Train Ride

I sat with Angela

Grandma held Emily
She was an angel on this trip

Josh and Danni with their cousins

Pace Family at the Polar Express

* At the Ward Christmas Party, we had pics taken with Santa.  My kids were so well behaved, that Santa, Mrs. Clause, and 2 of their elves came to visit my kids at home.  What a treat for my kids to have Santa visit them twice before Christmas.  

Santa with Josh

Santa with Danni

Santa and Angela

Santa came to our house

*One of my favorite parts of Christmas is getting my family all dressed up for Christmas. With another little girl in our family, it was even more important for me to dress them up and take photos by the tree.   My girls looked super cute in their Christmas dresses and my son looked quite dabber in his suit.

Cute Family Photos

So cute!!

* On Christmas Eve, we had dinner at Jon and Mindy's house and enjoyed time visiting with each other.  That night, we came home and the kids received their traditional pjsPJs and slippers.  Hopefully, that will help that fall asleep fast so Santa can come to visit them.

Alyssa looking after Emily

Boys playing Nintendo

Christmas PJs and Slippers

*Christmas Morning, the kids woke up super excited to see what Santa brought.  They opened their presents and had a great time playing with each other.  

Emily in her Christmas outfit ready to see
what Christmas is all about.

Opening presents

Jim showing off the claw

Gifts

Kids dressed in Christmas Best

Josh and Ang

*On Christmas afternoon, we headed over to my parent's house and opened presents and had Christmas dinner.  Uncle Jeff was there and the girls loved talking with him, especially Angela.  My mom loves having family over on Christmas day.  We have been able to keep that tradition alive for her.

Christmas with the Walls

There are been so many other fun Christmas events.  We made Christmas cookies with the Clawsons.  The kids did school Christmas crafts.  There have been so many fun activities in December to make the holiday special.  These were the ones that I thought were important and took pictures of.