Christmas 2019

 We had a great Christmas this year. We try hard to help keep the focus of Christmas on our Savior and giving, so the kids get to give gifts to each of the family members. It is so neat to watch them get excited about finding a perfect gift to give each other. This year Joseph even created a scavenger hunt for Ruth to find her gift, wrapping the first clue in a tiny mint tin. (This created much pre-Christmas conversation and angst.) I am grateful that they are so giving and loving to each other!

The Giving Machines

This year Denver was one of the cities selected to have the Giving Machine. It is a neat vending machine where instead of buying food, you buy things needed by people around the world. We encouraged the kids to earn money to be able to buy something for others in need. Ruth chose soap, Joseph bought a blanket, Miriam purchased a starter library, Rebecca bought meals for a women's shelter, I got some toilet worms, and Jack bought a sheep. It was a fun experience and helped us all to have a little perspective on life this Christmas Eve.

Casa Bonita

Ruth had been wanting to go to Casa Bonita for a while. She was little enough the last time we went that she doesn't remember it. So we decided to go for her birthday dinner. The restaurant itself seems like it is going downhill, but the cliff diving was neat to watch and we had a fun time as a family.