Twin's Birthday Celebration--Elijah Choir Concert

Mark and Kristilyn decided to celebrate Grant and James' 4th birthday 10 days early because Joe and Phyllis were in town for their Thanksgiving/Christmas visit. We had a lovely dinner then the boys were promised that they could open their presents after we got some pictures. Joe, Grant, and Phyllis Eliason, Kathryn, James, and John

Mark, Krisitlyn, Grant and James. Kristilyn gave an excellent talk in Sacrament Meeting earlier in the day.

Mark with Grant and James with their birthday cupcakes. They love anything "schockat." They were excited to blow out their candles and open their gifts--Sunday clothes, Thomas the Train pajamas and two new parts for their wooden train track.

John and I sang at the Elijah Missionary Choir of 70 voices in the Assembly Hall on Temple Square on Sunday evening. The concert went really well. Julie and Jason and all of the Eliasons were there but the Eliasons had to leave early to get Joe and Phyllis to the plane to return to San Jose. Before the concert we all went down to the rehearsal room under the stage for prayer. It was fun to see new areas of the historic old building. Jason was especially delighted with our first number, Christmas Bells, another arrangment of I Heard the Bills on Chirstmas Day" which their ward choir is preparing for next Sunday. It meant a lot to have part of our family in attendance.

The weekend was very warm. In fact it was up into the 50's on Saturday when we were still cleaning up limbs and leaves from the bad storm. This is a picture of John, Julie, Kathryn, and Jason in the North Visitors' Center after the performance. Temple Square was very busy!

Saturday we had the ward Christmas Breakfast. The cultural hall was packed at 8:30 AM. The entertainment from the West Jordan Choirs--Take Ten and Bel Voix--was delightful. They sang some of our favorites from years past. Colton Klunker was the "Santa" for the girls' choir of "Hey, Santa" and he was appropriately embarrassed and delighted with the attention. It brought back lots of memories of high school concerts. Kelly DeHaan isn't directing the the choruses any more. There were very few for Sacrament Meeting the next morning which started at 9:00 AM.