Brecklyn, Sabina, Brigette, and I
After two wonderful weeks in Salt Lake with Brigette I headed up to Cache Valley with Sabina. She and Brecklyn drove up to take Brigette and I out to see the Christmas concert by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra on Temple Square. I was excited to have a girl’s night out, but didn’t have super high expectations for the concert. Boy, was I wrong. It was magical! The seamless collaboration of choir, orchestra and dancers made for a spectacular performance. I wish I could hear Alfie Boe’s rendition of “Bring him home” over and over again. And the inspirational story of Hal Halverson told by Tom Brokaw left me with teary eyes more than once. I was overwhelmed by the realization that my church had put this on. Too often I feel that pursuing music is selfish, or frivilous. I push aside my desire to sing, feeling that there are better ways to use my time. However, witnessing such a majestic and excellent production put on by the church impressed upon me that the Lord loves music. I wept with gratitude for the gentle reminder that the Lord approves. 

Salt Lake Temple
This next part is where documenting things gets really tricky. I have SOOO many pictures. Here’s a few highlights:
Some of my favorite moments were during our snow play: Building a fort with Brecklyn, Capriel and Rhyse, running  as I pulled Rhyse and Scotter on the sleigh and sledding with Tom.

(Sorry Gets, hope you’re okay with me posting this!) Before the whole crew got there we three sistas worked some highlighting magic. Sabina and I first did Brigette’s and then they did mine. It was way more awkward to do than we thought. How do people do this without an assistant? All in all we were happy with the results and excited by the prospect of learning more each time we do it. Soon we’ll be highlighted beauties on the cheap! 
 
I really wanted Scotland to have a chance to spend some time with my Grandparents. I love these two dearly and have the utmost respect for them. They are certainly symbolic of the “Greatest Generation.” Being around them always inspires me to be better and do more. I was touched by their one on one attention to Scotland. When I suggest Scotland do some coloring while I was taking down some of my grandmother’s recipes, Grandma went right back to her back room and found some crayons and colored pencils for him. Later Grandpa invited Scotland to “Ride the horse” he sang a little ditty bouncing him on his foot, when the end came Grandma said “throw him up in the air!” and Grandpa smirked and said “I don’t think I can!” He struggled to pull him up on his lap, but laughed and snuggled him just the same. Their bodies are aging but their spirits are alive with youth and energy. Later in the week, I got to go to the “Bar J Wranglers” Christmas Concert with them. I couldn’t help but get caught up in the corny humor and cowboy spirit. Sitting there it finally hit me, my Grandfather is a cowboy, and he’s proud of it! I determined then to keep a little cowboy in my life, and stay true to my roots! I was also touched that my grandmother, a real lady, would be so supportive to go with her husband time and time again to hear those cowpokes sing. She told me herself “I don’t much care for them. But Deane goes with me to the opera, so I go with him to this.” What a beautiful realization of marital compromise!

The Deane and Ruth Harrison Family

Grandma and Grandpa celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary that weekend. It was a beautiful event complete with a program, and dinner. 

Each of them spoke. Here are a few things I won’t to record for posterity:
Grandma shared this quote:

“Three daily reminders. Have the courage to say no. Have the courage to face the truth. Have the courage to do the right thing because it is right.” -Mark Twain
She bore a powerful testimony of her belief in her Savior, in the church, and in the scriptures.
Grandpa told of a story when his friend shared a quarter and they were both able to go see a movie and get some candy. He gave each of the great grandchildren a quarter and instructed them to be grateful for what they had, however small, and share it. He spoke of six occassions when he nearly lost his life and then in answer to the question: For what reason did the Lord preserve my life? To do the work I did in the walls of my home, raising these children. 

Here’s Scotland with his eldest cousin Brecklyn. They became dear friends while they were together. Brecklyn spent countless hours doing imaginative play with Scotland. She taught him how to properly handle a tea cup, and showered him with endless attention. 

Our family always has a field day when we’re together. In the summer we go to a park, and in the winter we reserve the church gym. We play basketball, indoor soccer, and let the kids ride bikes and run around. This year we added a paper airplane and, in honor of Dad, a long jump competiton.  I must proudly add that Tom was a superior long jumper- out jumping even my competitive brothers. My dad said of him “such an athlete!” My dad held the triple jump record at his high school and went to state. He could jump something like 21 or 24 feet. (Dad correct me.)

Of course the memories that one often forgets, but which make the holiday truly special are simple family togetherness like this and these:

Here we have Devin listening to Capriel read, while wrestingly Keiton. As Sabina teaches Adalee how to use RunKeeper.

I love how this photo captures my family. One person dozing, one person reading, and three people chatting. All age groups present, all in close proximity.

Christmas morning- preparing to enter The Christmas Room.

My family had a heated debate about whether Christmas should be magical- or rather, what makes Christmas magical. One side supported Santa and his following, the other suggested such “false” traditions be removed and all attention be spent serving, giving, sacrificing. Unfortunately, I only have eaves dropping status on this conversation. I chose to not be present, though I was intrigued by the opinions expressed. I found myself less able to avoid voicing opinion the next morning when this poor gaggle of children were put off and put off from starting Christmas. Sometimes I feel certain members of my family appreciate the struggle more than the joy. It’s hard to have many individual moments when 30 people are all crammed with their gifts into one room, but here are a few I enjoyed.

After receiving “Pappa Pete’s non-decorative napping pillow” from Brecklyn.

Mom was thrilled with her super thin super warm down coat.

I was particularly touched by this painting Brecklyn did for us.

Scotland was so overwhelmed by the craziness surrounding him, he had little interest in opening presents. But he has since added Brecklyn’s crocheted bunny to his list of bedtime partners, we’ve loved his paper doll boy, have been donning our spunky socks and can’t wait to sit down and watch “Planet Earth.” Of course Tom’s excited for me to try out the Pastry cloth from Adalee. I loved the beautiful bracelet from Talia, and we’re stocked to play family memory and a game of nertz with our new family face cards. 

We were fortunate enough to have Grandma Petersen (pictured) and Grandma and Grandpa Harrison with us this year as well. That brings the total to 33!