Christmas at Rick and Jodie's

Every other year our entire family gets together a couple days after Christmas through New Years,

 and Mindy and Jeff hosted us this year, 2017, in Alpine.

Rick and Jodie's family and Roger and I drove back and forth each night 

and stayed in their home in North Salt Lake during our wonderful reunion.

Rick and Jodie invited us to stay with them for Christmas before everyone came, 

as they have done many times, and they always treat us like royalty. 

Rick treated us to a delicious dinner at Little America when we drove up a couple of days before Christmas. 

We love to be in their home. There is such a good spirit. 

We stayed in Katie's pretty bedroom where there was this sweet Christmas tree to greet us.

Katie was so gracious about giving up her bedroom - thanks Katie!

Jodie and her mom made the cutest place mats out of old Christmas cards and family photo cards, 

and Jodie set a lovely table for our Christmas Eve feast.

Jodie makes the best breadsticks and rolls!

She loves my shrimp macaroni salad, so we made that.

Jodie made a yummy wedge salad

She made the best barbecued ribs . . . 

. . . and her famous fruit dip!

Her mom gave her this pretty punch bowl that was in the center of the kitchen island.

Sadie called from her mission in Cambodia Christmas Eve Evening, 

and we got to talk to her for 40 minutes. 

She looked wonderful! There was such a light in her eyes and she is so happy!

The kids all opened new PJs, then we each shared our favorite scripture about Christ. 

It was one of my favorite Christmas Eves ever! There was such a warm feeling of family love. 

We then went to the music room and Josh, Katie and Abby played the piano for us, 

Christmas music and other pretty pieces.

They are each so good and we loved getting to hear the results of their many hours of practice through the years.

Katie sang while Josh played (she has such a pretty voice!), 

and Rick and Katie also sang a duet from Finding Neverland, the Broadway show 

that Rick took Katie to in NYC.

I have no pics of Christmas Day, but it snowed all night and we had a very white Christmas. 

It was so fun to watch the kids open presents that Blake handed (and threw!) out!

He was absolutely delighted with Christmas this year!

We truly felt the magic of Christmas being with this beloved family.

The day after Christmas, we drove to Ogden and took Grandma Lois to lunch at Ohana. 

We had delicious sushi and Lois had her favorite noodle dish.

Isn't she beautiful by her pretty tree? 

We love this amazing woman and were so glad to get to see her at Christmastime!

Rick took us to a couple fun places to eat the next two nights. Josh loves to eat at Sushi Burrito in Provo, 

so we found the one in SLC. The girls loved it!

Rick and Jodie weren't quite so convinced. I'll take sushi in any form 

and I think I liked a little better than Roger did.

Next night, Rick took us to a great Thai restaurant, Sawadee, but we didn't get a pic.

Then the next night, December 28, the rest of our family drove from Boise and Mesa 

to meet up at Jeff and Mindy's in Alpine for our Stratford Family Fun.

Stay tuned!