Welch family Nativity party

We had our annual party at Terry and Cyrrena's home.  They are always so gracious to let us all be there. We thought the snow might make it a difficult climb to their mountain home but it all worked out.

The cousins always love getting together that's for sure..

We gathered at 5 for appetizers, soups and hot rolls then we all settled in to watch and listen to the First Presidency's Christmas devotional 

We have never tried this before and it was a bit long for the little ones to stay calm but we were all grateful for closed captioning.  We could read even if we couldn't hear it.

Then came  the part we all look forward to........the Welch nativity.  We had a real baby Jesus this year thanks to Nicole and Darin's new baby Dax. We also had 2 Marys, 1 Joseph, 1 Joseph Smith, a star/stable , 2 Wisemen, a camel, a Shepherd, 3 Angels and Jonah and the Whale .....

5 Carols for Christmas

So excited to be doing 5 Carols at Christmas time again, and I'm glad to be doing it with the same great ladies: Mauri Tarbox,  Jan Smith, Lindsea Garside and Julie Blatter. It really is a joy to sing 5 part harmony on so many lovely Cgristmas songs. Plus the laughs we have together are epic. These are my theatre people. They "get" me.

Putting on Miss Q again is so lovely. I'm singing low alto and being a brunette.  

I've been thinking about my mom, as usual. She was my biggest fan and always made me feel like the prettiest, most talented one on stage. This is my first show without her.  I've cried about that.....ok...what haven't I cried about? She loved this show though so I know she will be there in spirit. 

Thoughts about Thanksgiving....

I loved all of the pie parties..... Pie equals Love to me....so I was filled with love and pie all night.  Si and Marcie are both amazing cooks and their homes were filled with laughter and treats!  I love Si's Apple Cranberry pie so much.  It's a lot like rhubarb, kind of tart and the color is perfectly pink.   Marcie does a bread pudding that's to die for....infact Bob Farley says it tastes like what the highest degree of glory in the celestial kingdom would taste like, if it had a taste.  Leave it to Bob to think of something like that.

There were so many pie parties across the country that my mom started..... she was the pioneer in the 70's and I know of 6 that happened last night in honor of her.

Confession:  I cried making the pie crusts for the banana cream pies.  Mom always made my crusts and I only had to fill them. I cried thinking about it for days ahead and cried while doing it....   that's kind of what I do now, I cry before the holiday, missing my mom so much,  and then on the day of I'm fine.

Now that another awesome Thanksgiving has come to an end.....I want to discuss something.
It seems that EVERYONE's favorite holiday is Thanksgiving...which is really awesome, but a little bit sad to me.
I get that Thanksgiving is all about family and being thankful and food and just hanging out and being together and I love all of this.
The part I really don't like about this weekend is "Black Friday."  I want the Friday after Thanksgiving to be "Family Friday" instead.   I think it's a tragedy that stores are now open ON Thanksgiving so we all can get a jump on the big sales.....for the next holiday, which isn't everyone's favorite holiday anymore.  So I'm not participating with the shopping crazed millions.  I will be home listening to Christmas music, decorating and being with my fam.  I'm trying to get the "Things and Stuff" part out of Christmas anyway.

Why isn't Christmas THE favorite holiday of all holidays?  What happened?  Did Satan win? Shouldn't Christmas be all about family and being thankful and good food....and Christ?  The only thing added to Christmas that Thanksgiving is missing is the Christ element.

Anyway...I've been thinking a lot about this lately.
Don't get me wrong, I love Thanksgiving, but I want to love Christmas even more.....

Top ten turkey day

1,  Laughing with family

2.  Watching Macy's parade and the Broadway shows 

3.  Popcorn and drink at movie

4.  Going to a movie together.. Frozen...so cute.

5.  Playing puzzles in honor of Momma Sheri 

6. Turkey and so much more.  So many cooks in the kitchen and it was all good

7. Filling in the thankful journal each year 

8.  Going around table and saying what we are grateful for

9. After turkey naps

10. Looking forward to the "afterglow" on Friday where we do it all over again.

Family Shower for Bre and Baby

 We celebrated Bre and Baby Welch while Bre was here for one quick weekend for her best friend's wedding.  It was so great to be together and see her growing baby belly...and have a little "feel."  It was Tru's first time touching a pregnant belly and he was pretty squeamish.  It was funny.  We face timed Addison in and just enjoyed food, family and friends.   Bre was spoiled and was so appreciative and a bit overwhelmed by everyone's generosity.  The next time we see her and Addison they will be parents.  I can't believe my baby boy Addison is going to have his own baby boy.  

Landon, Laura, Alex

Sister Love.... Bre and Laila

Savannah, Grandma Welch... 

Bre and Tru

Bre and Grandpa Lyle....  Dad loves how Bre says his name...so she does it a lot

Oh Boy....Oh Boy.....

Checking out the baby bump

Laila's Alphabet thank you

I didn't know Laila was making up an Alphabet grateful list of her own...but I found it in her school books and wanted to share.

I am thankful for.......
Art that has been made by my mother
Books that transport me into extravagant places
Caramel apples that can extinguish the lack of tastiness
Dynamic Dads watching over us with bundles of love
Extremely magnificent parents
Friends and family that are always there for me
Grandparents that give everybody unconditional love
Holidays filling our hearts with excitement
Ice cream cooling us off on a hot summer day
Jolly ranchers with sweet aroma while the sugar is slowly melting in your mouth
Kids running with energy
Laughter filling my ears with joy
Mother comforting me with times get tough
Nutella spread all over my bread
Open arms welcoming me home
Pointe shoes making you dance around the room with pride
Quiet
Roller coasters
Siblings
Telephones that allow me to keep in contact with my friends
Upcoming baby
Valley View or Vacations
Welches
X-tremely awesome parents
Yellow because it's my mom's favorite color
Zzzzzz softly humming in your sleep

I think she's trying to soften me up for Christmas gifts.  

Sheri Thanksgiving 2011/2012

I have a Thankful journal that I get out every Thanksgiving and pass around for anyone who wants to write in it what they are grateful for.  It's a treasure.  I came across my mom's from past years and want to share.  It's in her difficult to read, pointy handwriting that she disliked so much.  It was painful for her to write this in the middle of her chemo treatments.

2011:
There is not enough paper nor time to write all I am thankful for.  So I will be selective and brief:
1. Priesthood blessings that brings comfort and hope
2. Family--and all it brings--
3. My testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
4. My knowledge that Heavenly Father knows me by name and loves me
5. This beautiful world we have been given to live in
6.  I'm grateful my sweet Lyle is here to comfort me through this "bump" in the road
7. I'm grateful I can still see as good as I can
8. I'm grateful for America and that I live here.
These are just a few.

2012:
I am grateful to be on this side of the veil.
I am grateful my family loves each other enough to play, worship and vacation together.
I am grateful for the people who pioneered chemo.
I love Heavenly Father and Jesus and I am grateful they watch over me and give me hugs.
I am grateful my sweetheart is still with me.
I am grateful for the gospel in my life.
I am Thankful!