~~MERRY CHRISTMAS~~

It is so weird to think that today is Christmas Eve!  As I sit here and reflect on this past year I just think of how blessed we are :)There is so much for me to be grateful for:  My little family, Our extended family (both sets of parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews), Our health, The gospel, Awesome Friends, Great neighborhood,  Our church callings, Our Testimonies,  Jobs... and most of all A Heavenly Father and Savior that love us! :)  A friend of ours is in the hospital and is waiting to die any day!  I wish I could take the heartache away from his wife and sweet children.  I hope they won't lose the faith and will always remember that families can be together forever!  It just makes me appreciate the things I have that much more! This truly is my Peace On Earth! Love you, Mike, Rachel, Jake, Will and Sadie :)


Update:  Kyle Nielson passed away on Christmas Eve at 3:35 PM :(

~~IF YOUR HAPPY AND YOU KNOW IT... ~~

   We had a "HAPPY" party last Monday night with the Witter, Denning, Dean clan!  It was such a fun time.  We started the night at Pizza Factory and then went to Dennings and played "HAPPY".  The pot was $75 this year so not too shabby.  Troy was the first one out and Mike was the last man standing :)  The final 3 were Mike, Rachel and Jake so winning for Mike was a little bittersweet :)  He was however nice and shared some of his winnings with me and the kids :)  Ahhhh it is always a good time getting together with these families!  I am so grateful for the friendships we have.  It is so fun watching our kids friendships develop.  I sure was lucky when I married Mike to marry two best friends too! GOOD TIMES!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

~~YOUNG WOMEN CHRISTMAS BRUNCH~~

 We had our Young Women's Christmas Brunch yesterday!  It turned out so nice :) We had 23 girls and 10 leaders there! (We missed the 9 girls that didn't come.) We met at the Jewell's home at 12:30 and ate chicken pasta salad, homemade rolls, fruit salad and cake balls.  After we ate we did a program down in the Jewell's theater room:

~Opening Prayer - Rachel

~Eat

~Welcome - Steph

~Video - The reason behind Christmas

~Talk - Angela

~Video - What shall we give?

~Talk - Me

~Video - They gave up their Christmas

~Talk - Michele

~Video - David Archuleta and Piano Guys Live nativity

~Testimony - Steph

~Video - He is the Gift

Closing Prayer - Kellee

The program turned out so great! It was just 45 min so it was perfect! I really think the girls felt the spirit and were touched by the videos and things that were said. At least I know I did :)  I can't believe how much I already LOVE these girls.  I think it really helps that I already know a lot of them but seriously I think they are so AMAZING!  They just make me feel so loved and accepted! Ahhh I LOVE my calling! :)

This is the gift I gave all the Young Women and  Leaders!

~~WINTER FORMAL~~

 Jake went to the Olympus High Winter formal last Saturday night.  He was asked by Mattie Brubaker.  He said she is in his chemistry class but hasn'treally ever talked to her :)  This dance Junior girls asked Sophomore boys.  For their day activity they went to breakfast and then made gingerbread houses.  At night they ate at Macaroni Grill, went to the dance, GTC after and then hot tubbing.  He said it was a lot of fun!

 

 

 

 The "3" Jakes...

Ference, Gochnour, Dean

~~DRIGGS CHRISTMAS PROGRAM~~

 Sadie had her elementary Christmas singing program last Friday.  The songs they sang were so cute.  It is fun to see those kids really sing their heart out.  I'll have to admit that this year it wasn't as stressful going to the program.  In years past its been crazy to park and try and find a seat.  This year Mike and I took our time parked in the stake center parking lot and just leisurely walked into the school.  The seats were filled as usually but we wormed our way to the back of the chairs and first row of standing people.  It was awesome!! I'm not sure why all these years I have stressed to get there and have a seat.  Standing was so much better because I could ACTUALLY see Sadie! :)  It was a fun performance to help get us into the Christmas spirit! :)

 

 

 

~~SADIE'S DANCE DEMONSTRATION~~

 Sadie had her Silhouette Dance demonstration last Tuesday night.  It is a program that they just show the parents things the girls have been working on so far in dance this year.  Sadie was in 3 different dances.  It is so fun to see how much she has improved since she joined company dance last summer.  We are so glad she has something she is passionate about!  Good job Sadie!! You are such a BEAUTIFUL dancer! 

 

 

 

~~TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS~~

 Sadie's buddy Gabby Madsen was in the ballet "Twas the Night Before Christmas" this past weekend.  Some of Sadie's buddies and their moms all went and supported her in this program.  We went to Pizza Factory before for dinner.  It was a fun date night out with Sadie! Gabby was the main character "Alexandria" so it was fun to see her on stage the whole time.  She is such a beautiful dancer!  Good Job Gabby!