December 2022

 The first weekend in December, we drove to Tuba City, AZ to meet up with the group of people who would be delivering massive donations to the Hope Tribe. We stayed the night at one of only 2 hotels located in the city and met with group at 7:00 the next morning before starting the extra hour and half drive to the first village where we would be unloading some of the donations. We couldn't believe our eyes as we drove through the reservation. How were we still in the United States? Soon, we came to a large mesa and as we got closer we started seeing the homes lining the very top of the mesa. Before long, we were driving up on top of that mesa and then started to unload the donations for the villagers. We moved from village to village doing the same thing. Sometimes we had the opportunity to help the people carry their items back to their homes which consisted of no electricity, no running water, dirt floors, and wood burning fireplaces as their only source of heat. They were extremely grateful to receive the food that we brought but blankets were the most requested item. We let the girls hand out toys to the kids that they saw and they each worked so hard throughout the day. By the time we reached the last village the sun was going down and the girls were completely exhausted. It was a very long day of hard work but serving these people was such a blessing for our family. I can particularly remember a young adult girl from one of the villages, Sam. She asked if she could take 7 boxes of food to the people on her mesa who couldn't come down to get their own. We grabbed a group of people and followed her, climbing up the side of the mesa carrying boxes of food. She led us to each of the homes of the people who needed food and then afterwards asked if she could get a box of food for herself. She made sure that all of those elderly people had been taken care of before even thinking about herself and she completely brought me to tears. I knew I would never forget her.   

                                    

 This was an experience we will never forget. 

When you live in St. George, December is a great time for hiking...

Coco's Dance Team had a cute Christmas Party...

We love the neighborhood we live in. Not only do they have a great sense of humor, but there are TONS of cute girlies!

Quincy, Tess, Coco and I got to see Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer at Tuacahn. It was a fun show for the girls to see live. 

Cookie Decorating and Chocolate Balls are always a must during this time of year. 

St. George was one of the lucky cities that got to participate in the Traveling Tabernacle. They set up a replica of the tabernacles that would have been used during biblical times. I loved seeing all of the symbolism and similarities that we still find in our temples today. I was so happy to have had this experience.  

Whoville Day at School. She makes a darling Who...

Coco had a dance performance during this month and we loved watching her and her team. She is the cutest little tootsie roll. 

Day date at a Utah Tech Game...

Visiting with Santa is always a highlight for Tess... 

Christmas Eve Eve. Because we travel up north for Christmas Eve, we do our family Christmas a day early. The night before Santa comes we get to open one present (typically pajamas) so that we can get all ready for Christmas Day. 

So on Christmas Eve we woke to see that Santa had come a day early for us since we wouldn't be home on Christmas morning. This year, Santa kept it pretty simple. We each got a few gifts but we were surprised with a family vacation. A cruise to Mexico. We were so excited!

Right after, we headed up north for the Wayment Christmas Eve Party. Food, games, massive amounts of prizes and presents, and good company. Such a fun celebration. 

One of my favorite parts of the night was when these boys lifted the couch to move it with Grandma and I still on it. Grandma was thrilled and we had such a good laugh. I loved seeing that smile and excitement again. It has been rare since grandpa passed away.  

On Christmas morning we woke up and prepared ourselves to spend some time focusing on Christ. Since Grandpa had passed, we knew that the holidays would be a more difficult time for Grandma. Especially the morning, suddenly now all by herself. So we showed up instead. And with us, we brought several gifts purchased by Devin's siblings in place of gifts for each other. Grandma had also been struggling financially and it was a sacred moment to be able to take care of her during this time.  We were even able to go to church with her. It really was the best way to celebrate the morning of Christ's Birth. 

We spent the rest of Christmas Day with the Payne Family. Dinner, FaceTiming Missionaries, presents, and the annual "who can wear the crown the longest" battle. I think Addy won it this year since she wore it the whole drive home.  

I feel ya, baby. 

Just a few days after Christmas we drove to California to board our cruise. The girls couldn't believe their eyes to see how big the boat was. They immediately wanted to explore the entire thing. There were so many activities, tons of food, and all you can eat ice cream. They were in heaven. 

We ended 2022 and started the New Year on the boat. We had a fancy dinner, a show, and then the entire boat gathered in the main court to ring in the New Year. It was packed and I am pretty sure this is the first time that everyone stayed awake until after midnight. 

Fun sleeping arrangement and food any time you want it!

Within the first day or so we saw an enormous herd of dolphins. It was so fun to watch them jumping out of the water. 

We finished out December and 2022 on the cruise. Starting out the year on vacation is the way to do it. See January 2023 for the rest of the vacation pictures.