Christmas on Temple Square with Family

Temple Square is so beautiful at this time of year. They have been decorating for the last four months and it is a joy to be here. This is a view of the lobby of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. Temple Square has been even more beautiful the past week because all of our children and grandchildren who live in Utah have been to visit us. The picture below shows Keith, Kira, Kim, and Talisa in the Training Center. Talisa was very excited to try out my computer.

It was really fun to have Keith and Kim and their girls and Kristilyn and her boys over to visit at our home on Friday afternoon.

After they left I noticed that the Nativity set under the tree had been rearranged so that every figure was looking toward the Christ Child. "And a child shall lead them..."

Sunday night, December 20, the Elijah Choir performed in the Assembly Hall. It was a challenge because the choir was divided into two sections, separated by this beautiful pipe work. We performed the same program on Monday morning and it was streamed to all the FH Church Service Missionaries throughout the world. It was wonderful to be back singing in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building surrounded by the people we knew singing the same part. If you wish to hear the stream it is http://stream.lds.org/FH/Devotional/FHCH Christmas Devotional 21Dec09 ENG.wvm

This picture was taken just before sunrise one morning as we were coming to Temple Square when the lights were on.

We were very pleased that Mark, Kristilyn, Grant and James as well as Julie and Jason were able to come and hear our concert and see the lights. James and Grant were very happy to push their strollers around Temple Square.

Grant is hiding behind his stroller. I didn't realize that when I took the picture. See his mitten.
John, Kristilyn, Mark, Julie and Jason with James and Grant in front.

We are grateful that Anna is out of the hospital so Katrina and Anna can be home in Olean with Neal and Daniel after 10 days away. We are excited about the big package that arrived from Mike and Desi. Brandon and Melody will be here Thursday at 8:00 AM on Christmas Eve and will be able to be with us until Dec. 29. We are receiving beautiful, newsy Christmas cards, pictures, and letters from family and friends. We are so very blesssed. The joy and peace that come through the Savior's birth and atonement mean more to us every year.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL. We love and appreciate you very much.