1 December 2024
VOLUME 12 – NUMBER 584
Hill family Thanksgiving dinner
Ashton and Caleb helped us put together a family Christmas activity calendar for the next few weeks before Christmas.
For the first activity, Ashton laid out pages from a calendar about Jesus. Then he asked us questions about Christmas, and when we got one right, we could either choose a month and flip it over to see what painting of Jesus was on the back, or we could steal a picture that someone had already turned over.
When we were finished, we each had a picture of Jesus, and Ashton gave us a frame so we could hang them on our bedroom walls. Then we all watched Christmas with the Kranks. Taylor and Riley Danielson came over for the activity, and to watch the movie with us.
Family with framed Jesus paintings
For Thanksgiving, it was busy getting everything set up. Then when we were finished, I was relieved. People started to show up, and we ate the food. It was delicious.
After we ate, some of us went to High Bluff Park and played football or watched them play. Me, Yaretzie, and Anj (one of Natalie’s exchange students) went to watch, and it was fun.
Next, we went back to the house. Natalie had to take her dog Moo-moo in to get her pregnant by artificial semination. Me, Yaretzie, Ánh, and Julia (Natatlie’s other exchange student) went with her.
We got to see the whole process. I thought it was so cool, but Ánh and Yaretzie were a little disgusted, because they had to open her up. It was pretty cool how they did it.
Jen and Natalie face painting
On Saturday, Dad organized a special temple trip to celebrate 15 years of us going to the temple each week as a family. He invited all of the adult children to come as well, so we had 11 siblings (and Keaton) in the temple with Mom and Dad.
Since it was a special day, Dad baptized each of us like he used to before young men could baptize. It was such a good experience for me.
Later that night we watched the Polar Express. It was fun. We had our tickets, and we drank hot chocolate. After that we also watched Scrooge: a Christmas Carol.
Hill family Thanksgiving dinner
On Sunday, Aunt Amy invited us to go and see a live nativity scene put on by a stake in Utah County. we went to this building, and it was such a cool setup.
We started by entering the building and paying our taxes to Ceasar. For taxes they had us bring canned food donations. Dad brought two huge cans of chili for the whole family’s taxes, and Caesar was impressed!
After waiting for a little while, we were taken to Bethlehem Square, where we could do activities like make a straw mat, or write our names in Hebrew. We also listened to a little skit where Mary sang a song, and did a Hebrew dance.
Finally, they took us into the last room where we saw Mary, Joseph, and Jesus in a manger. The baby was a real live baby, and Mary and Jesus sang, and there was even an angel up in the corner of the room!
Family at live nativity scene
Thanksgiving was awesome! It was honestly kind of nice just doing the celebration on Friday instead of Thursday. Caleb and I forgot about our deviled egg assignment, which meant we went Black Friday shopping for eggs and mayo—the deals were unreal—Ha ha! Walmart was actually less busy than normal and definitely didn’t live up to the Black Friday shopping hype. The short lines were nice though.
One of my favorite parts was our first official Turkey Bowl! It was so fun, and it included everything you’d hope for. Quinn had a play drawn up perfectly by our All-Star QB (me), and he proceeded to run full speed towards the opposite end zone!
It was great. We played basketball on Thursday morning, which was also so fun. I love getting to play any chance I can get!
Hill family Thanksgiving dinner
Happy Thanksgiving! This year for Thanksgiving, we celebrated a day later than everyone else. We had Dad's side of the family come over, and the house was packed. The food was absolutely delicious.
After dinner/lunch, we went to the park and played some football. I had a lot of fun hanging out with cousins. When we got back, I enjoyed a whole lot of pumpkin pie. We also played some PFL (paper football) this weekend, and I figured out how to 3D print a really cool field goal, since our old one broke a while ago.
Now that Thanksgiving is over, bring on Christmas!
Monte’s 3D-printed PFL field goal
Thanksgiving finally came. I have been waiting all year for the delicious food and pies. This year we had Dad's family over. I had a great time face painting the little kids' faces. I did Brigham’s, and he wanted Pokemon. I think I did an alright job for the artist that I am.
I really liked the group video game we played called Pico Park. It was really fun to play with the Olders and make lots of funny memories.
I am so grateful that I am able to have a great family that loves and cares for me, and that helped bring the gospel into my life.
Family playing Pico Park
Endia's job has her working two weeks on and two weeks off, which does sound really great, for about two weeks. Gratefully, Endia just got through the two weeks working and can start to take it easy.
Thank you to everyone that supported or reached out to help Endia, Owen and I this week. You are truly angels. My work and school schedule does not allow me as much time at home as I would like, so we couldn't have made it through these last two weeks without all the family that came over to play with Owen and allow Endia time for the rest she needs.
Our family went and saw Moana 2 on Friday after having Thanksgiving dinner at the Hill home. It is so fun to go to the movies with Owen! Every time a song comes on he is bouncing and dancing in his seat, and he loves to try the movie snacks. We probably spent equal time watching Owen enjoy himself as we did looking at the movie.
Ashton’s Jesus painting activity
This week was Thanksgiving! We had a lot of fun, the food was delicious! There was a game on the Switch that Rima said was really fun, and since it was so cheap, I decided to buy it.
Its called Pico Park. It’s were everyone chooses their own little character, and in some of the challenges you have to work together to get to the end and solve certain puzzles.
There was a really fun one that took us forever to do. You couldn't touch each other, and every time you did you would lose some of your life bar, it took us like 50 tries to get it, but when we finally did it, it was worth it!
Family in Bethlehem Square
We had a lot of fun playing PFL (Paper Football League) at home this week! It had been such a long time since I had last played, and I'm better than ever!
We did a Thanksgiving feast on Friday with the Hill side of the family. After dinner, we went to the park and played some turkey ball. We had most of the Ashton boys, London, Keaton, Selvin, Ashton, Cougar, Kai, Quinn, Emma, Itzel, and Troy, all playing (Hopefully, I didn't miss anyone on that list). It was so much fun.
On Saturday, a lot of the family went to do baptisms in the temple. It was really awesome to see all of us serving together and the spirit was very special.
Boys playing PFL (paper football)
Thanksgiving was great because we ate delicious food and did a turkey bowl with the family. It was so fun.
The food was great. We had turkey, ham, deviled eggs, stuffing, mac and cheese, and mashed potatoes. It was all delicious.
The turkey bowl was great also because the weather there was snow but not a lot, and it wasn't that cold after you ran trying to catch the football.
Besides dinner and football, we just talked about life. It was a great Thanksgiving.
Family in new Christmas pajamas
Earlier this month I got called into my boss’s office, and I was offered a position in a new department called Care Communities. This department was created in conjunction with Utah's First Lady, Abby Cox, as part of her "Show Up" initiative.
Utah Foster Care was charged with creating volunteer teams to help support foster families. We educate them about trauma, and also about the challenges foster parents face as they help children through the trauma that they have experienced. The goal is to help children and families to be reunited and to heal.
Utah Foster Care has partnered with various Baptist congregations, businesses and a significant number of stakes from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to help build these teams.
Saying goodbye to Sister Rush
Abby Cox shares a story of a friend’s family that fostered five children and ended up adopting them. She points out that if someone had given birth to five children, not only would they have their own TV show, but we as a community would have surrounded this family and not left their side for years as they navigated the unique challenges of five instant children.
However, we have seen that there is little to no support when children enter a family through foster care. Quite the opposite happens. There is a social thinning that occurs in the lives of foster families because people don't dare to step into this space.
There is an isolation that occurs and makes parenting even more difficult. Hopefully this program will help to give the support that so many families desperately need.
Watching movie in Christmas PJs
What a week of activities! So many good things to write about. First of all, I am so glad that we decided to have my family over for Thanksgiving. It’s been a while since the Arnold and Arlene Hill family have gotten together. Thank you, everyone for coming!
It was also an incredible experience to visit the temple on Saturday to celebrate 15 years of weekly family temple trips to do baptisms.
In 2009, shortly after the Oquirrh Mountain Temple was dedicated, 12-year-old Endia suggested that we start going to the temple more often. We decided to start going once a week.
Hill family Thanksgiving dinner
In the beginning, we often went early in the morning, and when it was just Endia and Braden, they would sometimes invite friends to come. And even from the beginning, we would always stop at Dunford Donuts on the way to school. Does anyone remember the “Donut Lady”?
Over the years, our family grew. I think the most we every had in the temple was about eight children (until today). COVID slowed us down for a couple years, but in the last year or so we have gotten back to weekly trips.
Recently I did some calculations to try and approximate how many ordinances our family has done in those 15 years, and I believe the number is over 15,000 ordinances!
Joanna, Ellie, and Charlie
Children, I am so pleased and proud of you for all of your Christlike service over the past 15 years, and I know that He will bless you for those efforts, now and far into the future. In in some future day, when you pass into the next life, there will be a long line of people waiting to meet you!
Finally, I just want to make a father’s invitation to each of my children. We were not all there on Saturday, and I think each of us that were there missed those of you that couldn’t make it. I invite each of you to do everything you can to get a temple recommend, and then to attend the temple as often as you are able to go!
Family temple baptism activity