It's a Wonderful Life

We are blessed: Christmas in Tennessee and Christmas in Utah.

We had to let a few traditions go in Knoxville, but went with the most important: The Christmas Pageant, held early before we left on the 16th of December. We are so impressed with the participants. They get better and better every year. Trey took the part of the donkey for the first time this year. That’s a sign of his growing up. He turned 18 this month. Then we packed our suitcases and headed west.

Having never been away from home on Christmas, we flew out to Utah with a little apprehension, but our sons and their families made us feel like it was the most natural thing in the world to spend Christmas with them! We split our time between Lehi and Provo. At both homes we had our own private bedrooms, fantastic meals and more treats than we could count. Christmas stockings were even provided for us at both homes.

Here’s a rundown on our Christmas festivities in Utah—that accompany the pictures:

Seeing the lights and nativities on Temple Square
Going on the “Christmas Candlelight” Tour of This Is the Place Pioneer Village
Seeing Andrew in his school Christmas program
Attending the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and David Archuleta Christmas Concert at a special simulcast in the Tabernacle
Watching the Lehi grandsons while Joel and Jenica had a little two-day vacation
Touring Welfare Square with Joel and Jenica’s family
Watching the Provo grandsons while Brad and Susan went shopping and to the movies
Attending the Carl Bloch art exhibit at Brigham Young University
Enjoying two fresh snowfalls - one being at least 10 inches
Seeing the old Provo Tabernacle after the fire
Seeing Brad and Susan’s new home for the first time
Seeing new furnishing at Joel and Jenica’s home
Participating in a second Christmas Pageant with the Lehi and Provo grandsons who were also excellent participants
Christmas Eve dinner at J&J’s and Christmas Eve Advent at B&S’s
Watching the both families open their gifts Christmas morning
Christmas Day brunch and dinner at B&S’s
Many a night of getting all together either in Provo or Lehi with the families
Visiting other friends and relatives: Russ’s sisters and families, my brother Randy and his family, Cara, Will, and Lincoln (all are doing well after a very scary year), Sue and Ramon Sanft, lunching with Sue and Shahara, and visiting with DeeAnne (Barker) Higley after not seeing her for 40+ years.

We did get stuck overnight in Cincinnati on our return flight, but we had a great time and agree: “It’s a wonderful life”


View from "The Plaza" -----------------Posing after Andrew's Christmas program
at Temple Square ----------------------Both sets of grandparents


Touring Welfare Square in SLC with the Lehi Barbers (and Jonah's friend Jake)


Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!!!

Temple Square Lights



Cara, Lincoln, and Will at their new home....................Sharlene with Sam and Andrew

Lehi Barber family and Provo Barber family touring the "Candlelight Christmas"

Christmas Pageant in Knoxville, TN

Christmas Pageant in Lehi, UT