E News: Dizzy Days of December

December is such a crazy, busy, and wonderful month. It is filled with family, parties, and thoughts of Christ. Our hearts are more full with kindness and love. However, due to poor planning on my part, I let crabbiness creep in when I am burning the candle at both ends trying to get sewing and carmel corn making done.

The month starts out with Fast Sunday and the First Presidency's Christmas message. We also celebrated Abby's birthday on that day. Happy 5th Birthday to Abby.

Fast Sunday in December

The next big event in December was the Ward Party. This year it was at the Stake Center. WooHoo, we weren't sitting in each others lap.

We had our annual Evans Christmas Party early this year since the Brimley's were going to Utah and have Christmas with their family up there. It was sad not to see Kristen and gang and Spencer and his family.

After eating Flora Specials, which by the way were not as good as last year, we had our program to share our talents.

Jeanine was in charge of the party this year and really out did herself. She is amazing! We ended the evening with a pinata for the kids and fried ice cream. What could be better than food, family, and fun.

We were so glad when Travis and Stephanie and the boys came to town. Stephanie and the boys came early and then Travis came a few days later. We always enjoy their visit and feel that there is just not enough time to get all the visiting we want.

It was fun to get some one on one time with Weston and Collin. They are so fun!

Here is Weston enjoying Matthew's company.

On the 17th of December, which is our anniversary, we had the Hatch Christmas Party at Gyle and Debbie's house. We all had a good time and had good food but no pictures to show that we did.

On Monday the 19th, we bit the bullet and had family pictures. It is always an adventure when you are dealing with so many people and especially so many young children whose idea of cooperating is to run all over the park.

Larissa Workman did a good job and for the most part so did the grandchildren.

My beautiful children

My fantastic grandchildren

Pizza at Grandpa's and Grandma's afterward.

Everyone came over on Christmas Eve for the traditional festivities. We had ham dinner and

visited.

Aren't the babies so cute?

Then we had our program starting with the youngest sibling.

Trevor singing and playing

Aubrey tells us about the symbols of Christmas

Collin sings Jingle Bells with Dad's help

Sawyer sings

as does Abby.

The M & M Family

Reddin and his girls

We always look forward to the Nativity

During the evening Dr. Evans tried to help Neil out by extracting one of his front teeth. But it wasn't ready to come out. Neil didn't get to sing "All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth".

The evening ended with the passing out and opening of the pj pants.

Merry Christmas. What a perfectly delightful way to start out Christmas morning than going to church and partake of the Sacrament and worship Chirst.

We got up and opened presents first.

The Neus Family came to church with us and then stayed for breakfast burritos.

Grandpa got a fun inflatable slide for the grandkids.

Spending the morning playing a new game.

Trying out Sawyer's new jump rope. Check out Kayda. It was a beautiful day but I would have at least worn shoes.

Passing out the presents.

Lori came to spend Christmas evening with us.

Are we having fun yet?

Trevor got the chicken!

Pajama Pants Picture!

Good ending to a great day.

The day after Christmas all the adults went to El Rico Dos, a really good Mexican restaurant over by Reddin's house. What a fun time that was and the food was really yummy.

On Thursday we had our Bunko Party that I have on my birthday but my picture taking guy was not on the job that day. I always look forward to all of us getting together to plaly and have a good time with each other.

On Friday we went to Sedona. Aubrey was not ready to go when we left because she was trying to get ready to leave to go to BYU-Idaho from there. So she drove her car up later in the evening. Carrie and her family got up to Sedona about the time we did. We checked into our rooms and then went out to eat at Wayne's favorite place to eat, Cafe Jose. Later when Aubs got there she got to go to Burger King. This picture was taken on Saturday right before we took her to Flagstaff to meet up with Courtney and her parents to go to Idaho. Have a fun adventure my sweet daughter!