Learning From a Master

I've been visiting the hospital almost every day over the break. There is an old lady (83!) in our ward who fell and broke her ankle. I figured over winter break I have nothing but time, so I volunteered to visit her on quite a few days. I've known her for a number of years. I have always enjoyed visiting with her because we have a lot in common. She loves to read and she was an elementary school teacher. She's always super smiley and has positive things to say. Today when I visited she got talking to the husband of a lady in her room. It was amazing to watch her work her magic on him. She engaged him in conversation and was super interested in learning about him. She would ask him questions and compliment him and smile and ask him more questions. It was something to watch! It really made me think about how I engage people in conversation. Her conversation was really positive and kind. That's the kind of person I want to be.

Family Chess

I have a goal for 2020 to have Family Home Evening each week. We started off today by learning to play chess because I bought us a vertical chess game to put on our wall. We watched a video to review what moves all the pieces can make and then we were off. Everyone really liked it. Games of strategy are always a hit with our family. After, Peirce even thanked Allen and I for playing with him. That always warms my heart!

Merry Christmas!

Life sure is different from when our kids were little. No one was up before 9 am today. I had some lovely quiet time sitting by the tree, prepping breakfast, and just relaxing. This year I made overnight French Toast. I was always leery of stuff like that. How could bread that has soaked in milk all night be good? I had visions of it being goopy. Blech. It wasn't though. It was delicious!

Once again, there was an abundance of gifts to open. We are pretty lucky!

 I got a beautiful new purse. I'll feel so fancy using it!

Frank has a thing about Santa hats. He thinks they are a toy!

We had a great dinner: turkey, stuffing, lots of veggies, mashed potatoes and gravy. Dessert was apple crisp. I was going to make a pie, but I really should have done it the day before. There was not enough time on Christmas day. It was delicious though!

There were more games.

In the evening we went to a movie. This has become our tradition on the evening of Christmas Day. It's a great way to relax. We rarely go to a movie as an entire family, so it's fun to do that together on Christmas Day. This year Tony bought the tickets. Thank you Tony!

Christmas Eve

Today was full of last minute preparations during the day. In the evening, after Peirce was finished work at Safeway, we had Chinese Food and played games. After, we had planned to go to the nativity pageant, but it seemed like staying in would be a better idea. We watched a movie. It was the Christmas class, Die Hard! LOL Some of us stayed up VERY late. Some of us went to bed at a more reasonable time (Peirce and I). They rest have much better late night stamina, I guess.

 You can't see it too well, but Jill went over to the Sawa Sawa's 

tonight and they gave her an African skirt. So beautiful!

 Chico was barely in the game.

 Phase 10 was a hit.

Even Allen played!

Tony is In Town

Tony lived with us for a couple years. For the last two years, he has been going to school in London, Ontario. He comes back to Calgary for Christmas though! When he lived with us, at first he would scoff about Christmas. It wasn't something he celebrated. He likes it now though!

This year he brought his girlfriend, Zoe! They are from the same town in China. His tailor introduced them. He knew both of them and was surprised to hear they were both going to school in London, Ontario. He knew they had to meet.

Guess I will need to get a better picture!

Caroling At Hudsons

Every year the Hudsons have a get together for caroling and visiting. We love to go and visit with them again as well as other people we usually see there. Now that the Hudsons have move to the other end of the city, we don't see the West Stake friends so much, unfortunately. We sure enjoy visiting with the Hudsons! They're a great family.

 Singing and singing

shenanigans

 Allen and Cathy

 Cousins galore

 Esther

 Greg and Jill

 Gillian, Allen, Susan, Cole, John and Dawn

 Allen and Sam and Cole

Susan and Cole

Frank

It's been almost a year since Frank joined our family. There is no one with more enthusiasm and love than Frank! We sure enjoy him.

Jensen Christmas

We took advantage of everyone being here for Jill's homecoming to have a family dinner and Christmas celebration. We went to Cravings then we went back to our house to open presents and play games.

Siblings

It's been a long 18 months for Peirce being an only child. He is loving having Jill home.

She's Home!

Jill was supposed to come home on December 5, but there was a labor strike scheduled in France for that day and so they changed her travel date to December 4. It was a long day waiting for the evening to come. Zoe Letourneau and Peirce made posters and kept us entertained while we waited for the time to go to the airport.

 This one was my favorite poster.

We had a great crowd at the airport for when Jill came home.

It was anguishing waiting for the time for her to arrive.

I was surprised at how emotional I felt when she came through the doors. Emotions came flying out of me and turned into tears.

Best hug ever!

 So nice that both of my siblings could be there!

 Jensen cousins together again! Jill hadn't seen Jordan for almost 3 years because their missions overlapped.

 After meeting with the stake president we stopped at Jimmy's for the best shawarma in Calgary.

Chico's favorite is back!