The end of 2010

As the time was winding up to Christmas day life became very busy. Grandma Johnson and Aunt Annette came to visit the weekend of the 17th. To watch the White mountain dance academy's "Nutcracker ballet". My two nieces were in the opening act. It was a lot of fun to watch. We have watched the ballet several years in a row, but, this was the first year that I had family preforming in the ballet. It was a very nice evening.

Aunt Annette then left and went back to the Valley of the Sun to work. So Grandma Johnson spent the week with us. It was a busy week preparing for Christmas, finishing all of the projects and getting the gifts wrapped and many other things.

On Christmas Eve we were invited to attend dinner at Mary Caldwell's house. It was a nice evening with some yummy soup and sandwiches. The children presented a small nativity for us all. It was very special. We then went to the Snowflake Temple to start our trip around town looking at Christmas lights. We met Aunt Annette there and of course the kids wanted to ride with her. It was a nice evening. We could see our Christmas lights way in the distance from the Temple's parking lot. It is such a beautiful place. So peaceful.

Christmas day was wonderful. It started early. Ann was the most excited of everyone. She had a blast opening the gifts and seeing what was inside. We enjoyed sharing the morning with Aunt Annette and Grandma Johnson. I was so glad that they didn't have to spend Christmas morning alone. We talked about our many blessings and the wonderful blessing of having a family. We talked about the awesome blessing of the birth of Jesus Christ. Then that afternoon my brother Jason and his sweet wife Amy came to dinner with their family. We had a wonderful visit enjoying the special time together. To top the Christmas weekend off on Sunday we fed the missionaries. It was very special to sit and visit with them about the gospel. It brought such a nice and special feeling into our home. I am so thankful that we were able to have them come for dinner. What a blessing their presence was in our home and what a way to end the weekend.

Now we are looking forward to the New Year of 2011. As we look forward I am thinking back on this year. We have been so blessed. We have a warm home, family, friends and food. My Mom survived a heart attack and is recovering. We had a productive garden in the summer. We have a wonderful community to live in. We have a wonderful church to attend and serve in. We have a wonderful school system to learn in. We get to enjoy the seasons of the year. We are very blessed. Even though the World seems to be in great commotion and so unstable. We have so many wonderful blessings in our lives. I have enjoyed looking back and seeing the Hand of the Lord in my life and the life of my friends and family.

I want to wish everyone a very Happy New Year! Lets make 2011 better than 2010!