Dec. 8th, grandson Isaac Vance was baptized. We are so happy to be close to them for these special occasions. That evening we delighted in seeing granddaughters, Daisy and Kaeley Caudle, perform their gymnastics in a special program at Mt. Hood Community College Theater, along with other excellent performances.
On Dec. 13th we flew to Maryland to enjoy family for the holidays, and attend the baptism for Ruby & Norah on December 15th. It was a special treat to be with them as they made these important covenants. I was asked to speak on baptism. Meredith's family all came down, too.
We loved spending time with Meredith & Bryan's family in Kensington, MD, visiting the Air & Space Museum at the Mall in Wash. D.C., seeing the temple lights and attending an amazing program at the Visitor's Center. We loved one-on-one time with our cute William's grandchildren. Jocelyn helped Grandpa rake and haul away a lot of leaves in their yard. We went to Jocelyn's Joy School performance at a Retirement home, also, to Christian's school to see him perform in a play. Bryan was giving Meredith a weighted keys piano keyboard. Crismon worked with Meredith and got it put together. He also hung some family pictures for her in the bedrooms. One night we stood out in the cold waiting for Santa to come by in an old firetruck. They live in a friendly, nice area with good neighborhood children to play with. Meredith handles her busy life so well. Bryan's Fellowship training is extremely demanding. We don't know how they keep up with it all!
It was wonderful having Emily & Bronson drive to Meredith's home, arriving Dec. 21st. We had a fun day on Saturday going to the Great Falls Park in Maryland, to see the Potomac River, and the interesting rock formations, and across the river is Virginia. On Sunday afternoon we drove to Dallin & Janelle's with Emily & Bronson. It was great to spend Christmas at their home in Lexington, VA. On Dec. 24th we all went to see the new movie of Mary Poppins Returns. Bronson & Emily treated Dallin's girls to the movie. They were over the moon excited about this treat. Christmas Eve we had a nice program, the girls acted out the Manager story. Christmas Day was so fun. The twins got scooters, and Dorothy, roller skates. The day was crisp, but sunny, so they spent most of the day trying out their fun sport equipment. We were sad to see Emily & Bronson leave on Dec. 26th. Dad helped Dallin build a bench to go around their kitchen table. It was a huge project, and Dallin did the majority of it, but it was fun for Dad to spend hours helping Dallin. One day we sent Dallin & Janelle on a date and the girls loved the hot dogs and tator tots for dinner. As Norah said, "Grandparents really know how to live!"
We drove back to Maryland on Sunday afternoon. It was Crismon's 70th birthday. A milestone birthday for him, and I'm so happy, we can now start taking Social Security. He had been delaying it for about 5 years.
Monday we played games, had Cafe Rio, and then we went to see the Christmas lights at the temple grounds with Dallin & Janelle's family. We had an early New Year's Eve celebration. Tues., Jan. 1st we played in the park with the children before Dallin's family headed home. What a fun time together!
We were gone just one day shy of 3 weeks. It was our longest trip, but we have special memories with each family. It is convenient they are 3 hours apart and the cousins have so much fun together. Spending time with our 9 grandchildren on the east coast was wonderful! We're thankful for the rich blessings that have been poured out upon our family this year.
