CHRISTMAS IN UTAH: December 21-28, 2016
Gary and Rhonda fly from Houston IAH to Salt Lake City the morning of December 21st, to spend Christmas with the Empey family, Gary M., Rhonda's dad and his wife Mona. Spencer takes the week off to make things even more festive. Erin always plans fun holiday activities, including an evening stoll through the gorgeous lights at Temple Square on December 22nd.
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| City Creek Parking Garage - Across from Temple Square |
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| Gorgeous Christmas Lights at Temple Square |
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| Maddie Still Fits Into Coat & Unicorn Hat after Four Years! |
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| Leah Braves the Cold Night with a Smile |
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| Hannah Gets a Birdseye View from Spencer's Shoulders |
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| Why Isn't this Reflecting Pool Frozen Over??? |
CHRISTMAS EVE
This is such a magical time at the Empey's house. Gary and Rhonda take the girls to the movie "Sing" while Erin and Spencer cook up a storm at home. The evening's festivities begin with a yummy Christmas buffet. While we enjoy the delicious appetizer dinner, we watch "Mickey's Christmas Carol" and "Small One."
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| Erin's Wonderful Christmas Eve Appetizers |
Then it's downstairs to open Christmas pajamas, followed by an interactive telling of Christ's Nativity.
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| Marshall Opens His PJs First ... He's Overjoyed!! |
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| Mommy's PJs Look Just Like Marshall's |
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| All the Girls Have Look-alike Pajamas |
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| The Big Boys Have Red Pullover Pajama Tops |
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| Marshall Is Already Camera Weary... |
The highlight of the evening is our role play of the Nativity, with adorable costumes made by Erin. Leah plays Mary; Gary M. is Joseph; Maddie is an angel; Spencer is
the donkey; Hannah is a sheep; Erin and Marshall are shepherds; Ron, Mona
and Rhonda are Wise Men; Gary W. is narrator. Erin created this cute collage:
After taking pictures of how cute everyone looks in their pajamas, we go upstairs for sweet treats. At the end of the evening, the girls prepare a big plate of goodies for Santa. Then it's off to bed with sweet visions of sugarplums (and dreams of Toyland) dancing in their heads.
CHRISTMAS DAY
Appropriately enough, Christmas 2016 falls on Sunday. Sacrament meeting doesn't begin until 11:00 am, so there's plenty of time for the kids to open Santa's presents in the morning. (Yes! Santa did visit overnight and left piles of great toys for Maddie, Leah, Hannah and Marshall!!) We also enjoy a delicious breakfast of souffle, cinnamon rolls and fresh fruit before leaving for church, where Erin sings a beautiful Christmas duet.
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| Santa Came, Left Presents, Ate Cookies and Even Wrote a Note |
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| Marshall Enjoys Gathering Up Everyone's Candy Canes |
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| Marshall Gets the Hang of Opening His Presents from Santa |
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| Hannah Couldn't Be Happier with Her New Castle |
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| Leah with Sassy Cat and Kittens |
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| Maddie with Torch, Her FurReal Dragon |
Following sacrament meeting, as the Christmas ham and potato casserole bake, we continue to open presents (everyone except poor Erin and Spencer, who are too busy cooking dinner and putting together toys). Erin and Spencer finally find time to open their Christmas gifts later that evening. :-(
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| Gary M. Gets a Crock Pot, Shoes & Video Game |
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| Gary W. with Sweater from Buhlers |
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| Thanks, Erin and Spencer, for a Wonderful Christmas!! |
On Christmas, it snows, snows and snows ALL DAY, then continues snowing into the night. This is a very timely snow for the Empey girls, who received a brand new sled from Santa and are ready to use it. Leah is especially excited to get out into the fresh snow, which is knee deep by evening.
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| Empey's Backyard on Christmas Night (Before Leah...) |
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| Brave Leah Goes Out into the Snowy Night |
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| Leah Makes Tracks throughout the Yard |
As always, we have a ton of fun with the Empeys, who are such great hosts. It is always wonderful to spend Christmas with young children. Their enthusiasm is so contagious and takes us back into our own childhoods, so many years ago...
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HOLIDAY VISIT TO FRISCO, TEXAS: December 28, 2016-January 2, 2017
We fly from Salt Lake City to Houston the morning of December 28th, then drive up I-45 from Houston to Frisco, to spend our remaining holiday time with the Buhlers. We continue to be thankful that at least one of our children lives in Texas. Until Kristen and family moved back from Florida three years ago, we felt extremely isolated and lonely. Their close proximity has made our world much, much brighter. It is especially wonderful to spend some time with Kyle, who is home from BYU-Idaho, but who will be leaving in a few weeks for a mission to Mexico City North.
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| Kyle Leaves Distribution Center at Dallas Temple on December 30, 2016 |
One of the highlights of this stay with Kristen and family is a New Year's Eve visit to see "ICE: Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" at Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center in Grapevine. The humongous convention center has been transformed into a huge
maze of
amazing scenes from the animated classic -- all sculpted from ice, and maintained at a temperature of 9 degrees. Each attendee is given a large blue coat -- but no gloves -- so our fingers freeze first. Kristen and Grandpa Gary brave cold fingers to capture the following pics:
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| Seth Is So Excited to See ICE! |
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| Appropriately, Gary & Rhonda Pose Beside Aging Versions of Santa & Mrs. Claus |
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| Boys Are Thrown Into Dungeon with Wicked Winter Warlock |
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| ICE Sculptures Have Aaron Over the Moon |
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| Warming Up in Gift Shop Following ICE Tour |
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| When in Grapevine, Definitely Visit the Amazing Gaylord Texan Resort! |
After exiting ICE, we thaw out for awhile in the gift shop, then tour this incredible resort -- which has been generously decked out for Christmas! Here are some pictures taken within the warm, domed Gaylord Texan Resort:
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| It's ALMOST REAL ... Made of Graham Crackers, NOT Gingerbread! |
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| On, Dancer! On, Prancer! BEVO Is Taking a Break!! |
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| Pretty Nice Legs ... For a Reindeer |
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| Centerpiece of Gaylord's Grounds -- Tallest Nutcracker Ever! |
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| Definitely Does NOT Feel Like Winter Inside This Dome |
NEW YEAR'S EVE WITH THE BUHLERS: December 31, 2016
Almost effortlessly, Kristen puts together an amazing party spread. The older boys eat, then head out to a New Year's Eve party with church friends. The rest of us graze all evening, while watching college playoff football games on TV.
On New Year's Eve, Rhonda roots for Washington to beat Alabama. Alabama wins 24-7. Rhonda roots for Ohio State to beat Clemson. Clemson wins 31-0. This is the story of my college football season this year, especially when cheering for Texas A&M. Aggies build you way, way up -- just to drop you even further!
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| GET READY ... GET SET ... AND ... |
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GO!!!!!
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| Kristen Is SO Excited to Watch Football on New Year's Eve ;-) |
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| Are You Ready for Some Football, Boys?!! |
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| HAPPY NEW YEAR 2017 !!! |
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KYLE PREPARES TO LEAVE FOR HIS MISSION: January 13-16, 2017
Gary and Rhonda drive to Frisco on Friday, January 13th, to join a whirlwind weekend of milestone activity in the life of our sweet grandson, Kyle Buhler, who leaves on a mission to Mexico City North on January 17, 2017.
On Friday evening, we join the Buhlers for a festive dinner at one of Kyle's favorite restaurants, La Hacienda Ranch.
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| Kyle and Justin Share a Fajita Plate for Two |
Saturday, January 14, 2017
Bright and early at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday morning, Kyle enters the Dallas Texas LDS Temple to receive sacred instruction. We feel extremely blessed to be in attendance with Kyle and his parents in the 10:00 a.m. endowment session. It is indescribably wonderful to find ourselves in the celestial room with our second grandson. We are very thankful and proud that Kyle made this very important decision to serve a full-time mission for the Lord.
After the session, we take pictures outside the temple. This is a day we'll always remember!
Sunday, January 15, 2017
This is another special day that Kyle and his family will hold near and dear -- the day that Kyle gives a very touching farewell talk in Frisco 10th Ward's Sacrament Meeting. Just before Kyle speaks, the Buhler family sings "If the Savior Stood Beside Me." Sweet Seth begins the song, singing the first few lines solo. Then Kyle joins in, bringing many in the congregation to tears. The remaining family members then add their beautiful voices to the mix, inviting the Spirit in abundance. We are very proud parents and grandparents, to say the least!
Monday, January 16, 2017
Just before we leave for our long drive home, we eat brunch with the Buhlers at IHOP. This has been a wonderful long weekend with Kyle and family!
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| Visiting As We Wait for a Table at IHOP |
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| Leaving IHOP with Full Tummies! |
It's very hard to say goodbye to Kyle for two years, but know that a mission will be a valuable, life-changing experience for him. We are confident that he will return with increased testimony and desire to serve Christ throughout his life. Because of Grandpa Gary's missionary experience, we are well aware that a full-time mission can be the best training ground for future church and family leadership. A returned missionary, who has truly dedicated himself to the Lord's service for two years, will likely continue to bless the lives of his family and fellowmen throughout his life.
Our hearts and our prayers go with you to Mexico, Elder Buhler! God Bless!!
