More Christmas Vacation Fun!

I'm slowly catching up on our vacation! On the Tuesday we were at the cabin, it was extremely cold outside and Esther and Nathan were not very happy with the time we spent outdoors. Esther was getting over the flu still and it was pretty cold. However, I enjoyed it immensely. There is something magical about a cold sunny day with the world blanketed in snow. I have missed real winters so much - the trip was so full of snow and the Christmasy winter weather I love!

 Our driver reminded me a little bit of the actor who played Matthew in the Anne of Green Gables movies.

Later that day we went on the Polar Express! It was pretty well done. If I had been in charge, I would have had more excitement and made the "North Pole" much better. But the kids really enjoyed every minute of it - from the hot chocolate to the cookies to the reading of the book to the visit from Santa Claus!

They even had the ghost/tramp guy from the movie. He was hanging out before the train approached and spoke with the kids. 

Christmas morning was very simple. Santa brought the kids one present each and a few stocking stuffers. Daron and I didn't buy each other anything. After all, the whole vacation was our big gift!

 Esther was just a little excited by Grandpa and Grandma Brown's gift! Look at her crazy hair!

Santa Claus decided all the kids would like Legos. Wow - they have had a blast with them! 

 Jacob adores How to Train Your Dragon!

Nathan and Daron started this together and Daron ended up finishing it while Nathan was waiting impatiently to play with it.

Christmas dinner was very simple but very delicious!

We said goodbye to the cabin the day after Christmas and drove to Utah. We ended up taking 70/50 west over to highway 15 rather than chance Spanish Fork Canyon. As it was, the drive through the Fishlake National Forest ended up being really snowy and a bit scary. There was a lot of snow when we arrived in Provo and it snowed even more a couple days later!

Saturday was the wedding day! Damon Jr. married Macall Bowden in the Oquirh Mountain Temple. It was a freezing cold day but the spirit was strong. 

Nearly the entire Janis family and all of Tiffany's family were in attendance on the side of the groom. For those who have not heard, Tiffany (Damon's mother) was dying of cancer. She was weak and emaciated but determined to be there. Damon Sr (Daron's brother) chartered a jet for the day and they were able to make it. It was such a bittersweet day. The sealing was beautiful - many tears were shed - as we watched Damon and Macall make covenants that would bind them together forever. All at the same time knowing that it would most likely be the last time we would see Tiffany in this life. However, it was wonderful to know that because of the same covenants Damon Jr. was making, we would see Tiffany again. We were all bound together by the same Priesthood power.  

Jacob was getting good at keeping his hands in his pockets to warm them from the cold. Unfortunately when he did this in the parking lot on Sunday, he did a face plant on the ice! 

I love this picture and will treasure it forever. It shows the absolute bliss that Tiffany felt that day being able to attend her son's wedding. She spoke to each of the families and bore her testimony to us all. Then we all gave her a hug.

They flew home that afternoon. Damon said the next day she was nearly unable to communicate. The timing was that close. I am so grateful to Heavenly Father for giving her the time to be there. She passed away quietly at home just after the New Year.

On Sunday after church, we visited with Grandma Weight. Lyle and Nola were staying with her. And Becky and her kids came over for awhile as well. By the time we left it was snowing quite hard and it was beautiful!

Visiting with Grandma Weight on Sunday. We really need to teach Nathan to unbutton the top button on occasion and perhaps not cinch his pants up quite so tight!

The rest of the trip coming soon!!