Silver Bells

A brief Christmas summary for the ol' blog. I went up to Utah on Christmas Eve morn. I was able to spend time with my parents that day and then my sister, Elizabeth, came up as well. We had lunch, looked through some of my photos, just generally hung out. That evening as Pop was out like a light, Mom, Elizabeth and I had a little Christmas Eve program: my Mom shared a couple nice stories, we read from the Bible and that was that. Then Elizabeth and I went downtown to see the lights on Temple Square. I hadn't been for a couple years and it was fun to go back. It was really beautiful and just great to spend time with Elizabeth. It seems hard to find quality time together in brief visits, so it was really nice to have that whole afternoon and evening together. We wandered around downtown a bit, went to the roof of the Joseph Smith Memorial building.










Then we headed back to the parents' and watched a short Christmas film, called Star in the Night (1945), which was really cute and then watched Christmas in Connecticut, which was delightful. Some chatting up in Elizabeth and Alex's old bedroom and then time to sleep so Santa could come.

Christmas morning I went with Mom to her church - they had a super nice musical Christmas program - I couldn't believe how many for real musicians her ward had: bagpipes, drums, guitars, brass instruments, singers, etc. It was great. Then the Nighs and Elizabeth came up and we ate a kind of smorgasbord lunch, opened gifts and did our usual chatting. We went up to see Pop and give him our gifts as he was still needing to be in bed. It was rough to have him so down and out, but I'm glad we could be there.









That evening I headed out with the Nighs to stay with them for the week. The Nigh clan came over and opened gifts, ate dinner and played games: Alex, Cori and I domineered in Pictionary and then we had a Balderdash marathon. Fun.

I had a fantastic week with the Nighs. It's now been a few weeks, so I don't remember the exact order, but sufficient to say we always have fun, watching TV and movies, playing games, talking, shopping. Alex and I had fun watching The Foresyte Saga in the evenings. I love hanging out with her. Dylan is endlessly amusing, he's such a funny guy. One day when Alex had to work, I took him to see Arthur Christmas (I liked it, but I always love Aardman, Dylan just liked it ok), but it was fun to take him out and he was so funny, had a funny comment for every commercial and preview before the movie. I also saw The Adventures of Tin Tin with Alex and Dylan (it was all right, maybe I was just tired). Could not convince anyone to see War Horse but don't worry, I saw it once I got back to CA and I loved it.

One day Alex, Dylan and I went to Mulligans (poor Jerad was feeling sick) - we played a round of miniature golf. It was pretty quiet out there in the cold, which was fine by me. Then we played some arcade games and a 3D simulator rollercoaster thang. I really love the Nighs, they are so nice to house me and feed me. Speaking of which: I ate the wonderful pulled pork salad from Cafe Rio and I hit up Hires (Big H) this time - it's been so long! I love their burgers and shakes (and I NEVER do shakes, but when in Rome).




Time was short and schedules are busy, so it can be hard to see all the friends I'd like to but on this trip I was able to go to dinner with Carter - we always have fun, well I hope he does! No, it was nice. Crazy to realize I've known him something like 17 years now. I love hanging out with him. I was able to get some tea with Liz - a too short but very exciting tea! Then I had dinner with Cassie - delightful and wonderful to be with her, she is still hilarious and we do laugh a lot.

Thursday evening Alex drove me up to the parents' and then Alex and I went on our old walk through the Avenues. We walked to A street where there is the lookout over City Creek Park(?) and the Capitol and SLC. I'm so glad we did this. It was really special. It makes me a little weepy thinking about it, actually. I miss the days of going on walks in the Avenues with Alex. I wish I could do this every week with her.





Then early early Friday morning I flew home. I love my family and friends dearly and I am always happy to go home to Salt Lake City. I was a little sad I didn't get any snow, but another time perhaps. I'm very worried for my dad so I hope the two of you who may read this will keep him and my mom in your prayers (and since the two reading are probably just my sisters, I'm sure they will ;)). I love them so.

Happy New Year. 2011 was quite a year, to say the least. Hardest for sure. But also I was blessed tremendously and I'm grateful for that. I am going to do my very best to make 2012 a fulfilling, exciting, fresh and new year. There is so much up in the air, so much I don't know, so much I'm trying to figure out, but I think if I just stay focused on what's important and do my best to be a good, kind, positive, driven person, I will be okay.