Dear friend,
This month we decided to finish our basement. We had to say goodbye to the slide but luckily Uncle Taylor came to do the framing and electrical. He was a blast to have around but we can't wait to see Chelsea and the kids. We love you Uncle Taylor!
It was a month of recitals. We are so proud of Summer and Smith. Summer is in the 8th grade choir, Smith is in the 7th grade band and they are both in the honors middle school choir.
We held our annual Christmas singalong and got to hear from all the kids. Boyd played an awesome bluesy version of "Blue Christmas", Smith played the trumpet, Summer and her friends sang and Joy played "Up on the Housetop" on the piano. Rose even sang an acapella version of "Last Christmas". It was so fun to gather with friends and hear from all of them.
We had a great snowstorm.
We were thrilled when Nana and Grandpa came to visit! Mom and I got some girl time and Smith and my dad got me to go test drive cars. I'm sad to say goodbye (for now) to our minivan chapter. Minivans are brilliantly made for children, but I'm told that since SUVs have more space, children don't fight on road trips. And that our kids are old enough to open heavy doors without hitting the car next to us in the parking lot. We'll see. But we now own an Expedition Max.
I was shocked and thrilled when we lasted Nana and Grandpa Peter's entire visit without ruining the surprise for Grandpa's 70th birthday. Just three days after they left, we followed them out to DC.
My parents were working in the temple and my mom helped all of their children and spouses into a sealing room so we could surprise my dad and do family sealings together. It was one of the most special moments of my life. The following week was one of my favorite weekends ever.
We got to celebrate my dad and our family culture. We played games and made gingerbread houses, spent time with cousins and sang carols. We went to museums and watched movies, we saw the lights on temple square and did baptisms for the dead. We did a service project and made Christmas treats and Christmas cookies with Grandpa Peter. We acted out the nativity and had a Jerusalem dinner. Most everyone got sick but we loved just being sick together. On Christmas Eve everyone slept at Corie's house and we had a blissful Christmas morning together after we all sang each other awake. Corie was an amazing host. She orchestrated all the events and even made matching Christmas pajamas with our birth order.
I love my family so much! I am so grateful for this time we were able to spend together. It wasn't easy for anyone; the Linds came from Georgia, Christensens from Nevada, Shumways from Idaho, and us from Connecticut. The Hawks were hosting 32 people. And everyone came with their own virus to share; there was a haze of coughs and fevers but EVERYONE was there and we were all happy to be together. I am so grateful for my family and the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Brittany et al.
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