29 December 2024
VOLUME 12 – NUMBER 588
Christmas morning
It was Christmas and we were so excited. We set up cots in the Bunkhouse and watched Elf, and then some of us that weren’t asleep also started watching Mulan.
On Christmas morning, we watched part of Mulan before Mom and Dad came down and we went upstairs, looked in our stockings, and then had breakfast. Next we played with the bumper cars that Santa got for us, and more of our family came at 11:00am to unwrap our Secret Santa gifts.
We all came around the Christmas tree, and we unwrapped our presents. I got a movie ticket to go to either Mufasa or Moana 2, and I got snacks. I also got a remote control car. After we opened our presents, we played more with the bumper cars. It was really fun.
Christmas morning in the Bunkhouse
The next day, me and Joanna went to London's house. We spent the night. We really had fun. On the way there and back home, London let us choose a song to listen to. We went swimming, and when we came back, Ashton, Troy, Caleb, and Kai we're playing Lego Star Wars on Monte's PS5.
The next day it was Owen's birthday, and it was so much fun. We each got to choose our own ball. Me and Keaton fought with the balls, and then me and Troy played fizzball. Owen opened his presents, we all had cake, and then we went home after that.
London, Itzel, Joanna, Quinn swimming
I thought it would be fun to take advantage of my time off for the holidays and invite Itzel, Quinn, and Joanna to come spend the night at my house after Christmas. All of my roommates were out of town, so it was a lot of fun partying with them for a couple of days.
We set up a movie in the living room the night they came, and then we went to the park, made pizza, played card games, and we even went swimming at the rec center. I may have forgotten to tell them to bring swimsuits, but we somehow made it work with the swim stuff I had.
Joanna loved the slides and Itzel was really good at the rock climbing wall in the pool. Quinn is always talking about the fun merry go round at the park, so we of course had to go there. It was a great way to spend part of Christmas week!
Itzel, Joanna, Quinn making pizza
Merry Christmas! This is for sure my last Christmas before I leave for my mission. It’s been kinda tough just thinking about that, but at the same time it is incredibly exciting that I’ll be moving into the next chapter of my life.
The Christmas presents that I received this year included a Lego set from Joanna, a Book of Mormon Journal Edition from Mom, and a missionary bag from Caleb.
Now, you’re probably wondering what I ended up getting for Endia (my Secret Santa). I got her a pack of Reese’s peanut butter cups that was about half my height! I also ended up getting her a pitcher, because she said that she needed one.
Well, that was about my week, and I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas.
Family playing Jackbox
I had some relaxed days over the weekend, with work and no school. I had been contemplating whether or not I should get all the kids at home gifts for Christmas, and then on Monday I decided I would.
I had already thought of what I wanted to get everyone, so I went to the BYU Store and started getting their gifts! Honestly, that time by myself getting everyone gifts was one of my favorite times of this year's Christmas season. After shopping, I packed my suitcase and went to work. After work, Ashton picked me up, and we went home!
Endia handing out Christmas presents
Christmas Eve, Christmas, and the post-Christmas days were all relaxing and full of a lot of games. We went up to the chapel a few times for sports and games, played lots of board games, had a few fun conversations, and we also had a bunch of bumper control car battles. I love being with my family, the relationships we have, and all the fun that every single one of them are!
Nearing the end of the week was Owen's birthday party! I love that little guy! He's always so happy and playful. Endia made some good nachos, and we also enjoyed some delicious fruit angel cake. I love how close all of us are to each other. I hope we can always continue to strengthen these relationships.
Children massaging at Owen’s party
This week Me, Isaac, Monte, and Gloria went to Braden and Brooke’s place and watched two episodes of Haunting of Hill House. It was really good and scary. It is a really good series, and we ended up finishing it on Thursday, because it was so good, and really intense.
We also went up to the church to play games. It was so fun playing basketball. On Christmas, Caleb got me some basketball shorts, and on the note it said that next year I had to try out for the basketball team. I am terrified because I am not a really a social person, But I am going to try out next fall.
This year's Christmas was so good. I felt like our family was a lot more united than in past years. Also, Owen turned one this year. I can’t believe it! This year has gone by so fast. This week has been great being able to spend time with the family.
Owen’s first birthday
Christmas break has been awesome! I haven't had to stress about anything, whether it's work, or school, or priesthood duties, etc.
I've started reading again, which has been really nice. Currently I'm reading Mistborn. It's a really well thought out and detailed book. I won't get into all the details though.
Family has been over a lot lately, mostly because it's Christmas time. It's been really fun hanging out, playing games, (board and video) or going to the church's gym to play crazyball and basketball.
Kai looking at Santa’s presents
We got a new six-player game on the Switch that's really fun and makes everybody laugh! It's called Boomerang Fu. There's a bunch of different things to play on it, and all the options are great!
I'm so grateful for Christmas, and the time I've had to ponder and think about Christ’s birth. I'm so grateful for him, and for Heavenly Father, who loved us so much that he gifted us his Only Begotten Son. I'm truly grateful for Christ's infinite atonement, and his sacrifice for all mankind. He knows me, and I know he loves me!
Remote-control bumper car game
For Christmas we had most of the family over. We played lots of games and watched movies. This year I focused more on serving and giving myself to people who need help or need a friend.
On Christmas Eve we stayed up to watch Elf, but most of us didn't stay up and watch the whole thing, because we fell asleep before it was over. Christmas morning we woke up watching Mulan , and then we watched The Christ Child.
Friday night I went ice skating with Riley, Josh, and Cheyenne. We went to Salt Lake and did an outside ice skating rink. That was really fun. I did not fall once. but there were many times where I almost did. After we skated, we went to get some hot chocolate.
Yarima’s Christmas socks
I'm very glad to know that Christ is real and came down to earth to give himself to people, no matter what.
Christmas has never been my favorite holiday, because of past memories, but this year I tried my best to be happy and think about service. I made a goal for myself to serve others In many ways.
I just want to say that Christ is real and that he was born. Without him, my life would not be the same. I'm very grateful that I have a family that teaches me about Christ.
Family on Christmas Day
This week was Christmas! It was a lot of fun. London had me for secret Santa, and she got me two games!
One game is called Flashpoint: Fire Rescue. It’s a lot of fun. You work as a team to try to save people from a burning building without letting the building collapse or having too many people die. We played it and we got so close to winning, but the building collapsed on us.
The other game that I’ve yet to play, but also looks really fun is called Love Letters. It’s a game where you’re trying to gain favor with a princess, while going against everyone else, and trying to marry her before someone else can.
Endia with Owen on his birthday
“Happy Birthday!” (think quote from the old Christmas cartoon, Frosty the Snowman).
This week we had an amazing Christmas and celebrated Owen’s first birthday! We got to be with family on Sunday and Tuesday and Wednesday and Thursday and Saturday! Owen loved being with so many of the people he loves.
It was a busy week for me. I was working—taking care of Dorothy—while at the same time trying to get everything ready for Christmas and Owen’s birthday party. Cougar also had to work on Christmas, but it was still so much fun!
However, now that Christmas is over, I’m going to miss the music.
Mom in Bunkhouse Christmas morning
After London’s Christmas program last Sunday, some of us were sitting around talking about great music. We talked about our favorite Christmas songs, and some of the children ended up sharing their own Christmas playlists with others.
Because we were sharing favorite music, I decided to give Mom her Christmas present from me a couple days early. A couple weeks ago, I discovered a website where you can hire a professional songwriter to create a song especially for someone you love.
So, for my Christmas present, I played my song for Mom, and it made her cry:
JENNY, YOU’RE THE LOVE OF MY LIFE
To hear the song, Jenny, You’re the Love of My Life, by Chris Rogers, click here:
On Christmas Eve, London, Ashton, and Caleb came over to spend the night. We slept in the Bunkhouse, like family tradition. We set up cots and watched Elf.
In the morning we also watched Mulan because the Olders have a memory as kids of watching that in the basement on Christmas Eve on a little TV/VCR combo. They said it was the first time they slept in the Bunkhouse for Christmas Eve.
Then when we came up into the living room and we saw a remote control bumper car game, and all of our stockings filled with goodies. We also got new Switch remotes so that it is easier to play six- and eight-person games.
Children playing video games
Then Mom got the hash out for Christmas breakfast. and then we went and opened our Secret Santa presents. I got a beanie, a ticket to either Mufasa or Moana 2 with some Reeses pieces, a new book called Alchemyst, and an extension pack to my game, Happy Little Dinosaurs.
After all the presents were opened, we had our snacks and played with the bumper cars. On the bumper cars, you choose your team color (red, yellow, blue, and green), and there are three lights on the back that turn off each time you get hit.
I am so grateful that we had to spend time with all of our family and open presents which was so fun.
Cougar with Owen on his birthday