Twilight the Movie

I finally got to see the movie after more than a month after the debut. I really enjoyed it and I'm all stoked to read the books again, along with Midnight Sun on the internet.

And the Fun Keeps Going!

On Monday night we had the Annual Evans Family Progressive Dinner. We go to each others house to see their Christmas decorations. It is really just a good excuse to be together and to eat good food.

We started at Carrie and Brendon's house and ate a really yummy cranberry and almond salad.

Next we went to the M & M's house for good rolls and banana bread. We came to our house to eat pork chops, chicken, and baked potatoes, which we were all too stuffed to eat after the salad and rolls. Next year we will have to rethink and do something light.

We then gathered at Reddin and Karen's for desert and everyone singing Happy Birthday to me.

Reddin made some Mexican Hot Chocolate but his pinch of cayanne pepper was a little large for everyone's taste. Otherwise it was really good chocolate.

Matthew unplugged

Isn't he so cute?

Matthew Evans Neus was the man of the hour on Sunday evening. The Evans and Neus family gathered at the home of Carrie and Brendon to witness the naming and the blessing of sweet little Matthew. It was a tender and emotional blessing given by Brendon with the grandpas and uncles in the circle.

Matthew Evans Neus (so cute!)

Gathering before the blessing.

Good visiting.

What a room full of people.

The Sweet Brendon and Carrie Neus family.

Proud momma and poppa and Matty.

Proud Grandma and Grandma Evans

Proud Grandpa and Grandma Neus

The group!

Random Christmas Pics

These are just random pictures that Wayne took, mostly on Christmas Eve of the family festivities.

Marcus, Abby, Carrie and Matty.

Sawyer, Carrie, and Matty

Brendon and Sawyer

Liam and his best friend (his thumb).

Best friends -- Sawyer and Ruth.

I love my cousin!

Ruth, Sawyer, and Payton.

Opening the pajama pants.

Abby trying out Neils cool shoes.

Marcus and Megan

Miss Payton as Sleeping Beauty with an apendage up her nose.

Oops, I'm losing something.

Kayda in her pajama pants.

I'm so excited that we are up here singing this song!

Travis, Kayda, and Payton is so happy to be getting her picture taken.

Good times.

Stephanie and Travis (so glad they got to come home!).

Brother and Sister with their babies.

Just visiting. Check out Brendon's pajama pants!

Enjoying the company of each other.

Aftermath!

Grandpa with the babies!

Memories of Christmas Past.

Merry Christmas to One and All

Wayne and I just wanted to wish family and friends a Merry Christmas and Happy and Prosperous New Year. This past year has been a good one with a lot of changes to our family. Wayne and I started our service mission at the Employment Center in January. In February we took Aubrey to the MTC to start her mission in Portugal. Travis graduated from ASU and moved to Buffalo in June. Wayne and I began as Temple Workers in July. In August Reddin and Karen had their second little girl. In October Carrie gave birth to her special little guy who gave us such a scare. But things are going well. We have been so blessed by a loving Heavenly Father who hears our pleas and then sends tender mercies our way. I am so grateful for good family and friends and this gospel which gives us a plan to live by. I am grateful for Jesus Christ, of whom Christmas is all about. I am grateful for his birth, his life, and his ultimate gift to us of his atonement. We are blessed.

It was a crazy day trying to coordinate phone calls from two missionaries in two different time zones and our children and the plans the in-laws had for Christmas Day. It was accomplished and was a wonderful day. It was so good to talk to Irma Aubrey and Elder Trevor. It was so good to be with family.

Waiting to open presents.

Still waiting...

Time to open the presents.

The traditional picture on Christmas Day in the pajama pants.

Christmas Traditions

On Christmas Eve we all gather for a ham dinner. Here are the children trying to get the plate situation under control.

Mmmm...yummy food!

We then gather to put on the Nativity production. This year Payton got to be Mary and of course Neil was Joseph again. Maybe next year Liam will be old enough to do the job. Ruth and Abby were angels.

Here are Joseph and the Shepherd getting ready for their roles.

Is that a Wise Man I see?

Getting ready for the performance.

Anticipation.

The girls are preparing for their roles.

Such a beautiful Mary in her Cinderella dress.

What heavenly angels!

(Try as I may this would not straighten up)

Sawyer decided to be a donkey this year. Hum...oldest grandchild wanting to be a donkey. Does that sound familiar to the Evans family?

What hansome wise men. Marcus grew the beard just for the performance :)

Such cute grandchildren. Lucky Matthew got to be baby Jesus.

Mary required a little help.

The Nativity.

Mary and a Wise Man.

After the Nativity all the families got to perform.

Waiting to open the Christmas bags.

Yay! Pajama Pants!