A December to Remember

December for the Munn's was very busy. We were so inspired by seizing the Halloween season, that we did our best to seize the Christmas season too. It kept us hoppin, but we enjoyed every minute of it.

We started our season out with our Monday nights. Family Home evenings were all spent with a Christmas theme; putting our Christmas tree up, driving around looking at Christmas lights and drinking cocoa, thinking of and making service coupons for each other for the Twelve Days of Christmas, and delivering cookies to our friends and neighbors. These "fun" family home evenings we looked forward to and it broke from the usual lesson plans that we use for the rest of the year. We also started a tradition for Family Home Evening nights and ate our dinners in the living room on tv trays watching Christmas movies.

I spend the season baking every laundry day. I baked many mini loaves of breads; pumpkin chip, white, and cinnamon raisin. The last laundry day of the month, I cooked three batches of cookies; peanut butter with Hershey kisses, chocolate chip, and pumpkin chip. Elle had her share of baking and decorating cookies too as she helped me bake and got to decorate her own sugar cookies for Santa.

Elle and I also filled our home with the sounds of a couple Christmas songs and music. Danelle was playing "Jolly Old St. Nicholas" and Laura with "Angels we have Heard on High." These piano pieces were played at Grandma LaTurner's piano recital December 18. We were so proud of Danelle for being so brave, practicing all the time, and doing such a wonderful job! I am also proud to say that I stepped out of my comfort zone to sing for my ward's Relief Society Christmas Dinner. My visiting teacher and I sang "Oh Come all ye Faithful," and it turned out so beautiful (I thought).

Every year, Grandma and Grandpa Burrows have a Christmas party the Sunday before Christmas. It's always been the same day for years, and I plan on it without even needing to be invited. We went to Ogden and enjoyed the company of our relatives; aunts, uncles, grandparents, siblings, parents, and cousins. We eat a huge turkey dinner, play the "Left, Right" game, and exchange small gifts (my breads). We enjoyed the evening and it lead right into a great week of Christmas.

Shayne and I spent the week of Christmas watching ALL our Christmas movies. It was really fun to stay up late and watch some of our favorite Christmas movies. Christmas with the Kranks, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, The Grinch, Christmas Carol, and so many more.

Thursday, after all a huge snowstorm seemed to pause, we went to Salt Lake City to see the lights at temple square with Danny, Dawn, Uncle Brett, Aunt Chris, and Grandma Tubbs. We met at my aunt's new house and drank hot cocoa, cheese balls and crackers, and shrimp. We met at the UTA Trax Station and rode to Temple Square. I am embarrassed to admit this but we have never been to the Salt Lake City Temple lights before, but I think it will be a fun tradition in the future. Elle really enjoyed seeing where we were married, and seeing all the many lights and displays they had. Kaitlyn seemed to enjoy herself also.

The night of Christmas Eve finally came after much anticipation. We spent the night with the Munn family. After eating a wonderful Turkey and Ham dinner, we gathered in the living room to start our traditional Nativity play. Every year, I go through my house finding the right "costumes" for the girls to wear as we tell the story of the Nativity and birth of our Savior. The girls love to get in the outfits, and take their roles quite seriously. Danelle was the Angel this year, Arisa played Mary, Kaede played a shepherd, and little Kaitlyn played baby Jesus. Shayne helped us out by being Joesph, Mom and myself wore animal hats and played the Nativity animals, and Patrick, Ashley (Patrick's girlfriend), and Sarah were our wise men. It was so fun reading from our children's bible to narrate the play.

After the play, it was present time! Kaede and Arisa were spending the holiday with their Dad, so we wanted them to open their presents that night (and then it turned out we ALL opened our presents too). The room was filled with paper, screams, and giggles as everyone tore into their presents. We all left with boxes and bags full of gifts.

In our family, it is a tradition to put luminaries on the graves of our dear loved ones who have passed on. Shayne, Elle, Kaitlyn and myself did this earlier that day in Lehi as we put some luminaries on my Dad's, Grandma and Grandpa, and Grandma Gordon's gravesides. We sang "Rudolf the Red Nosed Raindeer" and "We Wish you a Merry Christmas." It is such a good feeling driving away feeling the love that we remembered them. So - later that night, we did the same with the graves in Salem with Shayne's parents and siblings. We sang "Silent Night" and "We Wish you a Merry Christmas" for Grandma Underwood. It was very special.

Following the luminaries, we drove to Salem Pond to enjoy their lights on the Pond. Not long after we were at home putting out egg nog and cookies for Santa and waiting for a great tomorrow; Christmas Day. Not before long, I heard Danelle wake up, and it was CHRISTMAS MORNING!

This Christmas morning had a different feel to it. In the past, Danelle would see her presents, and we would rush out the door to visit family and join them in their breakfast. This year, with no missionary to call first thing in the morning (for the first time in our married life!) we enjoyed the morning at home together. I tried to cook a nice breakfast; the hashbrowns and eggs turned out great... my bacon however.... anyway! It was good and we were all full and ready to get cleaned up to open presents.

Kaitlyn FINALLY woke up at 2:00 that afternoon, and we began opening our gifts. We were really blessed this year, and the girls enjoyed all the gifts. Shayne and I got a couple last minute gifts for one another, but all in all it was a perfect morning. Once all the gifts were opened it was off to the Munn's for a visit, and then to my Mom's house later that night for dinner and our gift exchanges.

Each of our families this year drew names to save money. The idea was to buy one "better, bigger gift" than a lot of little ones, and to make it cheaper in the long run. For the Burrows/Laturner family, we drew individual names. Shayne drew Monyka and got her some awesome Sanuk Surfer Shoes that she loved. I drew Dad's name and enjoyed buying him his favorite golf ball, Titlist Pro V1's with TONY LATURNER #1 GOLFER written on them. Shayne got a kick out of wrapping his gift in a lot of boxes and covered in duct tape. Dawn drew my name and I got so many wonderful gifts! First, the Perfect Brownie maker! I have seen it on TV many times, and had to try it out since the brownie is my favorite dessert. I also got a lotion and body wash from Bath and Body Works, a Aloha sea shell ornament, and a box of Hawaiian Host Chocolate Covered Macadamia's. David drew Shayne and gave him an Amazon gift card; which is perfect for Shayne.

By the end of the night we were all full and tired (all but Danelle who wanted to play toys all night long). It was a great Christmas, and it was one to remember in so many ways. I was sad to see it go, but am excited for the new year ahead and another Christmas in one year! Merry Christmas! We hope it was a great one!