Sarah's Family Here the Week After Christmas

It was good news when we heard Jeff's eye appointment went well. That meant the Excell family could get on the road singing, "Over the river and through the woods to grandmother's house we go." 

Well, I'm pretty sure they weren't singing. At least not singing that song. But one thing is for certain--grandmother was excited to see the four boys and their parents.

Everyone was hungry, so we had a late pizza dinner when they arrived. Then it was off to bed for all.

The next day the boys were very excited for their cousins to arrive. 

Ben and Haley were anxious to play games while the children were happily playing together.

Of course four boys living in Las Vegas would be eager to get outside playing in the snow.

The Excells and the Goldens went ice skating. 

See that beautiful pink coat Madison is wearing? It now no longer exists--at least not in her possession. It was left behind at the skating rink and when Rebecca went back the next day to get it, the coat was nowhere to be found. 

Lincoln was so cold after ice skating and was looking forward to a warm grandma snuggle when he got home.

The rest of the time Sarah's family was here, we basically did the same few activities over and over again: eat (which included several French toast breakfasts), play with cousins, play games, and put puzzles together.  

All this was happening with nonstop, televised football games on in the background.

Madison just loves to wear the big, red glasses. They used to be sunglasses, but she took out the dark lenses so she can see better. 

Unfortunately, one of the hinges broke, so she only has one side holding up the glasses and they fall off easily, but she continues to find and wear them whenever she is here. 

One day, we decided to have a girls' meal out (after we fed the children a macaroni lunch). The guys ate take-out. They were going to have Smokin' Bones, but that restaurant was closed. They opted for Texas Roadhouse steaks instead. 

We girls went to Olive Garden "for old time's sake" as Sarah said. That has always been a favorite for the girls, but not so much a favorite for the boys. 

I cannot believe I did not take a photo at Olive Garden to commemorate our walk down memory lane.

Nani had sent us home with the leftover ice cream punch ingredients from the Christmas Eve party so our family could enjoy that bedtime snack and we sure did. Carson especially loved the drink.

Usually the grandchildren were in the basement playing, but one night I found all of them upstairs in our bedroom watching a movie together.

I just loved watching Lincoln and Jonah playing together in their make-believe world. They got all outfitted with their weapons and accessories and then really got into their characters. So cute!! Notice the phone rubber banded to his arm. 

I thought for sure Jonah was going to insist on sleeping with his sword in the back of his shirt. 

We were so thankful the weather cooperated for Sarah's family to arrive and then to be able to leave when they were scheduled to go back home. 

It's always nice when we have these little mini family reunions whenever someone comes to town. 

Our Christmas Miracle--Jeff Saved From Blindness

As the Covid was raging in the Excell household, Jeff continued to complain about his eye. 

These eye photos were in an earlier post, but it's important to see how yucky they look and to know how miserable he was and that his eye was NOT improving as time went on.

In fact, Jeff's vision kept getting worse and worse.

Sarah informed the family of his ongoing situation and what Jeff was experiencing as he tried to get medical help. 

The seriousness of Jeff's eye problem was very alarming.

We were having a hard time believing Jeff's eye problem did not have anything to do with Covid like the doctor told him. It came on right during Covid just like others in the family experienced when they had Covid.

Thankfully, Jeff had a good check-up before Christmas and he got scheduled for another appointment the Tuesday after Christmas which allowed their family to be able to head up here to enjoy a few days of vacation with us. Keeping our fingers crossed and saying lots of prayers for a total and complete recovery for him with no relapses.

On Christmas Eve, as I was doing last-minute food preparation for the family dinner party at my parents' home, our missionary, Nate Wilson, stopped by with a Christmas gift for us.

It was a beautiful picture of Christ, the Good Shepherd, with two of his sheep. We cannot believe how generous this particular missionary is as he has given me a Mother's Day gift the last two years and now this unexpected Christmas gift. What a thoughtful young man!

I had been working on my sweet potato casserole food assignment and had totally forgotten about cutting up the pineapples until in the middle of our conversation with Nate. 

It was tricky, but despite him here, I was able to finish preparing everything and we made it to Dad and Mom's home at just the right time. 

Here are some photos of the kitchen crew. Andy's family was eating upstairs and Sam and Mike's families were seated in the dining/living room area. We had a big group there enjoying all the delicious food.

I got a kick out of Seth, Kenna, Terje and Aksel's Christmas sweaters.

Ben and Haley's little boys had a very fun time playing with all the other little cousins. They were busy and happy going up and down the stairs from the basement to the upper floor. 

They looked so cute in their Christmas pajamas with Kade chanting, "Ho, ho, ho!!" I think that is probably what Caroline is doing as well.

We thought it was a sweet tender mercy that in our reading of the Book of Mormon, the chapters we were reading on Christmas Eve were the last several chapters of Helaman where the prophet Samuel prophesies of a new star at Christ's birth.

Although there were many unbelievers, "there were great signs given unto the people, and wonders; and the words of the prophets began to be fulfilled. And angels did appear unto men, wise men, and did declare unto them glad tidings of great joy,"

On Christmas Day, our Book of Mormon reading was 3 Nephi where we read of Christ's birth. 

"And it came to pass that there was no darkness in all that night, but it was as light as though it was midday. And it came to pass that the sun did rise in the morning again, according to its proper order; and they knew that it was the day that the Lord should be born, because of the sign which had been given. And it came to pass also that a new star did appear, according to the word."

We felt like it was such perfect timing to be at that exact spot in the Book of Mormon on those exact days. 

I got a kick out of Abe's children depicting the birth of the baby Jesus (Monty). A loving Joseph (Newland) and Mary (Wynne) are admiring their baby while the herald angel (Magnus) is singing.

I had forgotten to take the study journal I had bought for Nani to give to her at the family party. It is for the 2022 study of the Old Testament. 

Since she needed it soon and since we did not have anything planned for Christmas morning, Glen and I drove to Ogden to give Nani the book. We had a nice visit with her as I enjoyed looking around the room at all her Christmas decorations. 

Glen was determined to cook prime rib for Christmas dinner. 

Despite it not being a favorite meal of mine, Rebecca's and Ben's families were willing and eager to share our Christmas feast with us. 

It was the perfect time to play Pandemic together. Ironic isn't it to be playing a game called Pandemic during the time the world is going through a pandemic???

Since the prison has been in Covid lockdown, we have been able to enjoy going to our home ward for the past few weeks. I loved being able to be in our ward for the Christmas program. 

Rebecca is the ward music director in their ward and they had Christmas music the day after Christmas as well. They invited us to zoom into their ward's sacrament meeting after we got home from our church. 

The Primary children sang. Spencer is the boy on the left in the back in the white shirt. Madison is standing in the back row next to the girl in pink. Her face is half covered by the boy in front of her.

Caroline (middle girl) sang "Silent Night" with a small group as Rebecca accompanied them on the piano. They really did a great job singing so beautifully together.

The gamers didn't get enough playing time on Christmas, so they came over the day after Christmas for more playing games and puzzles and for more eating. 

It was Dallas and Rebecca's 18th wedding anniversary that day. 

It is the day we will always remember as having one of the biggest snowstorms in Utah history. So glad the weather didn't deter them from getting married.

Quotes of the Week

 Those who do not see their weaknesses do not progress. Your awareness of your weakness is a blessing as it helps you remain humble and keeps you turning to the Savior. The Spirit not only comforts you, but He is also the agent by which the Atonement works a change in your very nature. Then weak things become strong.

--Henry B. Eyring

As we begin to know more of Him, we will see His attributes reflected in others. This will encourage us on our own quest, for if others can attain in some measure His attributes, so can we.

--Scott D. Whiting

Unity and diversity are not opposites. We can achieve greater unity as we foster an atmosphere of inclusion respect for diversity.

--Quentin L. Cook