Merry Christmas Eve.

We hope you have a very wondrous and memorable Christmas.

For Christmas, I believe, should be synonymous with joy and peace and happiness.

Family Fairy Tale

Once upon a time, there was a family who embarked upon an adventure to Salt Lake.

They arrived at the hotel at 4:00 in the afternoon and ate a small snack. 

It was to be the first hotel stay for the little boys.

After bundling up in new mittens and scarves, they stepped out into the frozen city...beautiful and inviting.

The sun was setting over the reflection pond illuminating the regal temple with a peaceful glow.

They visited the extra-ginormous tree in the Joseph Smith Memorial building...

...but little E didn't want his picture taken.  He just wanted to sleep {for pretends}.

 Next stop was to the Distribution center and then to the "secret lounge" for more snacks.

However, little tummies were still growling so the foursome ascended to the Nauvoo Cafe where they ate scrumptious pasta, homemade sandwiches, and turkey pot pies--a la carte style.

And peeking through the window they could see the lights turn on at Temple Square.

The boys were fascinated and thrilled to face the cold darkness...with the promise of millions and thousands of twinkling lights.

Little E had to visit his favorite cannery corner

and then he named all of the 15 brethren from the pictures.

And then they went back to the hotel,

said prayers,

and went to bed.

It was a very beautiful night.

Just another never-to-be-forgotten memory that will take its place in the Familia Johnson Chronicles.

And just another testimony to them that family is what fills empty hearts with joy so brimming it spills over into every fiber of being.  

Family is the purpose of life.

It is the beginning, the middle, the end, and everything in between.

Are they Darling?

Magical Memories {Day 12}

Today we had a "mysterious" visitor who rang our doorbell twice and hid.

We found packages on the doorstep...

I guess for us, the 12 days of Christmas have begun.

 By the way, the gold packages housed two little shepherds--one with a staff and the other with a lamb.  Parts of a nativity that the boys will certainly cherish.

Magical Memories {Day 11}

Here we are backtracking a little bit.

Monday night we enjoyed my delectable "cake batter" treat that has been a favorite tradition of mine since about 9th grade.

I think it's become a tradition for my little boys as well.  We all had sweet, white batter in the corners of our lips and smiles on our faces.

P.S.  Tonight it was Easton's lesson.  I forgot to help him practice one today so when the lesson was announced, I grabbed the gospel pictures book and turned to the picture of the Savior grasping Peter's arm when Peter started to sink.

I have told Easton this story 2 or 3 times but have not relayed it in the past two weeks at least.  I asked him to share with us this story and miraculously, he recited the story almost word for word how I had told it to him.  Tears stung my eyes.  It was his first real lesson all by himself.

It was a moment I will never forget.

Magical Memories {Day 10}

Today we danced with streamers to fun, upbeat Christmas music.

You can't really tell from the pictures, but it was really great fun.

Note:  the streamers were simply made from long strips of leftover fabric from the quilts I'm making them for Christmas. (Will they ever get done????)

When we go to Costco with Gram (which is every time since we don't have our own membership), we eat Churros on our way out.

It's our Costco tradition.

And I love it.

This time, Aunt Coco got to enjoy it with us.

Magical Memories {Day 9}

A visit and gifts from Aunt Coco.