Festivities of the Nativity

Earlier this month, Dad and I picked up Vivi and family and drove to a Stake Center in Vancouver for the Festivities of the Nativity where we met the Vance Family. It was freezing, but so nice to see a live nativity. Julia loved dressing up as an angel. There were also hundreds of Nativities. It was spectacular!

We then went to the children's room where the grandchildren had so much fun dressing up in the nativity costumes and doing interactive activities. Here is Clark as a shepard boy.

Daisy made a precious angel.

Sydney dressed in every single costume from Mary to a Wisemen.

I joined the Caudle family in their home with the Joy School families for their Christmas program. The children sang the songs our children learned years ago from Joy School. What memories!

Daisy was adorable as Mary, just as Vivi was as a little girl at her Joy School program.

Crismon & Danielle's Wedding Reception

We happily honor this sweet couple, Danielle & Crismon.

Although I posted pictures of the wedding, I'll share pictures of the wedding reception that was held at the Canyon Gate Country Club in Las Vegas. It was a very elegant, beautiful venue, and the Swain's added some other decorations that made it look gorgeous. We really enjoyed the lovely evening meeting their wonderful friends, and enjoying some of our Lewis family. Myreel & Larry brought Grandma. Also, Dori Ann, Dantzelle, and a surprise was Hyrum & Sundee and their cute family. Everyone, and I mean everyone that came through the line said, "The Swain's are the most wonderful family. Danielle is very special, do you know how lucky you are?" We do feel very, very blessed to add this lovely young woman to our family.

Emily and Julia are our last two to marry!

The Wonderful Scott & Laurie Swain Family

These precious girls saved me!

We were all smiles on that special day.

What a blessing to have all our children and spouses, but Janelle & Brett there for this special day.

We loved having Grandma Lewis and other family with us. 

Purple candy table - yum! 

Delicious food and presentation

Crismon & Danielle's Wedding

What a joyous day for the wedding of Crismon and Danielle Swain, from Las Vegas. Danielle was a beautiful bride! Crismon, the handsome groom and both with their "eternal smiles!"

These two are perfect for each other. Check out the proud Dad's in the background. 

The happiest day of their lives! December 16, 2011.

 We were blessed with a gorgeous, sunny day. Windy, but lovely. The Las Vegas Temple taken from the church parking lot where the Luncheon was held.

We loved our early Christmas present, adding Danielle to our family! We missed Janelle & Brett and 13  of the grandchildren.

 We were so happy to have all our nine children there. What a sight it was for us to see our 6 children lined up on the front row of the sealing room with most of their spouses, and Crismon and Danielle kneeling at the altar. Heaven on Earth!

All our children participated in singing "Families Can Be Together Forever" at the Luncheon.

The reception was stunning. I hope I'll get more pictures soon.

We had fun "hanging out" at the Hilton Hotel on Sat. after the wedding. We missed the Williams as they had to hurry on to Idaho for Bryan's brother's wedding in the Idaho Falls Temple.

Addison's Baptism, Visiting Grandma Lewis

When we learned that Crismon was marrying Danielle in the Las Vegas Temple, we immediately thought how wonderful, this is close to Grandma Lewis in Kingman. We are happy that Vivi and cute baby, Kaeley, wanted to go a little early to LV with us and go visit Grandma. Her apt. is inside the Pease home and so we had a terrific time visiting with them as well. Thanks to Grandma and the Pease's for the delicious meals, scripture study, visiting, and all you did to take care of us and inspire us to be better. We love you! Doesn't Grandma look great for being 91!

Vivienne (Caudle), baby Kaeley, Dad with Grandma Lewis 12/11

December was a busy but wonderful month for our family. Dad flew on Thurs. afternoon, Dec. 8th for Minneapolis to be with Seth & Tiffany's family for grandson, Addison's baptism. He had a short but delightful time being there for this special event. We surely hope we can be to all of our grandchildren's baptisms. I stayed home as it was too close for us to be leaving for the wedding. Also, I was preparing for  Crismon, Jr. to arrive from China. Dad came in around noon on Sat. and CJ arrived an hour later. It was a race for me to work with CJ to get him ready to leave on Monday for SLC and to be with Danielle for a few days before the wedding. What a whirlwind of a weekend!

Addison baptized Dec. 9, 2011

Crismon & Danielle's Engagement

With Crismon doing a semester abroad in China the past 4 months, he and Danielle continued their relationship over Skype. They met their Freshman year in a Folk Dancing Class. She helped him learn the Mexican Hat Dance out of class one day. They both came away with a feeling like, "That's the kind of person I'd like to marry." Crismon remembers thinking, "Whoever marries her will be one lucky guy!" Danielle served a mission to Japan while Crismon was serving in Australia. They both left their missions with a love for the Asian people.

 Before leaving for China, Crismon went to Aspen, Colorado to visit Danielle who was attending a summer Music Camp performing with the orchestra there. They asked a random tourist to take their picture, never knowing it was going to be the picture they used with their wedding announcement! Thanks to photo shop, they were able to change his shirt color and take out the person in the background.

Technology made it possible for them to continue to development ties with each other, spending about 3 weeks worth of time on Skype! Crismon returned from China just 6 days before their marriage. By the time he got to Utah, he had Danielle had just 3 1/2 days together before their wedding day.

Finally back together they could get some official engagement pictures. 

                                         

Crismon's ability to speak the language grew and he felt the experience was extremely valuable in many aspects of his life. He also came away with the feeling that he didn't want to take his family to live in China, but possibly teach Chinese and the Chinese culture in the states. We're grateful our grandchildren won't be living in China!

post Thanksgiving festivities

 More from Emily: The day after Thanksgiving, I was eager to get all the Christmas decorations up so I could at least enjoy them for 1 day before I headed back to Provo for school. The little ones helped me put them all up and we danced to Christmas music. It was a blast! The little ones also helped Grandma and Grandpa in the yard so they could have "aunt time" with Julia and I. 

We also took the John's family pictures...check their blog for hilarious outtakes. 

Friday we also celebrated my 19th birthday! Since I was going to be at BYU when my Birthday would happen...I was able to open a present and eat pie with the family! Thanks sooo much mom & dad!

Per tradition, Grandma had a "tea-party" with the grandkids by our new fireplace! She used her China tea set that she had from when she was younger. She is probably the best grandma ever!

On Saturday, Mom and Dad and the three married couples (the Williams had already left), were able to do a Temple Session together. We are blessed to have the Portland Temple only 45 mins away. Later that night all the siblings and spouses saw "The Help" at the movie theater. Gary Johns was brave to tend all the grandkids and put them to bed. Fist pump for sure. 

The Lewis Life (recap)

hey all--its Emily here! Mom's given me the reins to update the Lewis life for the past 3 months. Mom's been on a major hiatus...wedding, Reliv, grandkids, all definitely worthy excuses for his absences. So pardon me as we go on a blogging blitz here....

October Re-cap:

 Mom and Dad have been having a lot of sucess in the Mt. Hood Ward and were blessed to welcome 4 new converts into their YSA Ward. Carrie Johnson, Megan Bass, Gary Grant, and Rihanna Russell. They've also been able to go to YSA dances and firesides and of course staying busy with their Ward Family activities...FHE, institute, you name it.

In November Mom & Dad were also able to have a Reliv event with Don Gibbons (I wish I knew exactly high up he is...but lets just say pretty high!) Mom and Dad were awarded another Dr. Ted award. Way to go mom & dad!

November Highlights:
Grandma had great fun tending the Vance kids for 3 days while Ondalynn and Gary took a get-a-way trip to Seattle for a friends wedding.

Instant babysitter=ipad. Thanks to Reliv Mom and Dad each got their own ipad...and the grandkids LOVE it!

 Grandma took Julia to a Girls Scout activity where they learned CPR, and calling 911, and other fun stuff.

 Baby Isaac! (1 years old) We just sure love having the Vance family move to the NW. I  am pretty sure they are NW advocates and enthuthaists now! :)

On Tuesday, Bryan, Meredith and their two kids Evelyn and Christian came to Gresham! Bryan had a 2-week break from Medical School so it was loads of fun to have them around. There was a cousin "birthday celebration" (if you can even call it that...). Mom enjoyed some one-on-one time with Eveyln while Meredith and Bryan went on a short get away.

 Sunday dinner at the Vance's with the Caudle's, Williams and our family.

Cute granddaughters, Sydney, Julia and Kenna.

Good buddies Bryson, Clark and Spencer.

 Babies Isaac and Christian and mommies Ondalynn and Meredith! I don't think mom and dad can get enough of all this baby grandkid love! They are living the dream.

Later that week mom was able to fly to SLC to attend Danielle Swain's (new daughter-in-law) Senior Violin Recital at BYU. She is a violin performance major, and she did absolutely marvelous! It was outstanding. We were sad Crismon had to miss it, as he was in China, but she worked so hard we were so proud of her.

 After the Recital with Danielle. She is a sweet gem in our family. 

We attended Danielle's bridal shower in Orem after her Senior Recital. Her sister and best friend, Rebecca, was fun to get acquainted with. We shopped for bridesmaid's dresses with her Mom, Laurie (on the right.) On behalf of the Lewis family we are so lucky to be apart of the Swain family too. 

Mom was able to spend Saturday going to all these events with  Emily (as she attends BYU) and Julia (who came down from BYU-Idaho for the weekend), and Alice-Anne, who is always so nice to host all the family that comes into SLC. Mom and Alice-Anne returned to SLC that night and flew to Portland on Sunday, while Gary Johns and Spencer and Kenna drove to Oregon all day Saturday. 

 Grandma enjoying the John's kids in SLC. Here is baby Elliot, only 7 months but moving everywhere. I wouldn't be surprised if he starts walking by 8 months! That kid is a mover and a shaker. 

Thanksgiving Week! 
Emily got a ride form the rideboard and came in Monday evening from Provo. On Tuesday the family hung out and played games..and celebrated baby Isaac Vance's 1st Birthday!

 We introduced the family to a game called BANG! and it was favorite for the rest of the week! Julia arrived from Idaho late that night. Wednesday the Caudles, Johns, Vances, and Williams and Aunt Julia spent a rainy and long day at the Zoo. But they had a blast! The kids loved it, the animals were out and they got a steal of a deal from Groupon. The kids were fascinated with riding the MAX to Portland! 

Mom and Emily spent all day making 6 homemade Apple Pies! 

Delicious! Emily was also able to go visit some high school friends, and then we all had some scrumptious dinner and played games. 

Thursday:

THE DAY OF ALL DAYS. Thanksgiving! 

The adults were in the kitchen all morning making final preparations for the Thanksgiving feast. Gary Vance and Bryan played in a Turkey Bowl that morning. (Side note: I, Emily, did a daring task. I actually made some dishes for this years thanksgiving feast. can i just say I had NO idea what I was thinking or doing. Turns out I loved the dishes the Mashed Potatoes and the Sweet Potato Pie...pretty sure I could have lived off those two items for the rest of my life.) Gary Johns tended to the turkey, well make that two turkey's and provided us with "the" most moist and delicious turkey ever!

What fun we had having all 6 girls here, 4 bro-in-laws, and 12 grandchildren. The house was rockin. We feasted and gave thanks, and had a short program where the grandkids re-enacted the Pilgrim Story. Sydney Jane made the costumes and put together the award winning skit. I believe she has a bright future. Each of the grandkids had their own part and they loved every minute of it. 

The SIX lewis sisters on Thanksgiving

It was a glorious day to be with so much family! We've had the best blessing of welcoming so many babies into this world in the past year!!! (Ruby & Norah, Isaac, Christian, Elliot, and baby Kaeley). We love our family and we feel so blessed to be near so many!

It was a special treat to have the Johns with us that week. Meredith & Bryan for a week, too, and then they spent time with the Vance's. We love having family here to bless our lives.