Merry Christmas!!

Dear Elder Nielsen,

This has been a busy crazy week. Chelsea and Brian got here on Wednesday from New Mexico, Amber and Kevin got here on Thursday afternoon and Erin and Landon got here an hour after them.  So we have had a full house. Erin and Landon have been sleeping at the Welch's and the rest have been crashing here.

On Wednesday night, BYU played Wyoming in their bowl game in San Diego. BYU was up 24 to 7 entering the 4th quarter and almost gave the game away. It was raining really hard and Wyoming came back and made it 24-21 and had the ball and was driving down the field and got to about BYU's 40-35 yard line. They were in field goal range and might have tied or won the game with 2 minutes remaining and Ky Nacua intercepted a pass and BYU won. But we should have never allowed them to get close.

It has been a lot of fun having all the kids around, but Mom said she feels like grandma Croft when we are there as all she does is cook, clean up and then prepare for the next meal.

David is a real cutie. He really likes people and goes to everyone.  On Friday, all of us and President shumway and Kate went caroling to a few of the widows in our ward. We went to sister Miranda's, Sister Sargeant's, The Sills, and Afton Ballards. It was really fun and they all enjoyed it very much. We enjoyed it very much as well as we always feel the spirit and it makes us feel good. Afterwards, we came back to our house and mom had made white hot chocolate, and it was very good.

On Friday, we got about 6-7 inches of snow. So we had a white Christmas. Kevin was helping me work on the cars and we got the bug started. We bled the clutch in the Trooper, so hopefully that will work now. Brian helped fix the door nob to the pantry door and the kitchen faucet. It has been good having all the help around here.

Last night, Christmas eve, we had Amber and Kevin, and Erin and Landon sleep on mattresses in the family room like a big slumber party. Brian and Chelsea and David were in Chelsea's old room and the 3 younger girls were in Amber's old room up stairs. We stayed up until about 11:30 pm talking and wrapping gifts. And then mom and I had to stay up until 1:30 am finishing all the final touches. We woke up about 6 am and watched Luke 2. We opened all the presents, had mom's breakfast casserole. We only had a 1 hour sacrament meeting today. We went to the 2nd ward as Landon was singing with his group that he sang with before his mission.

We came home and cleaned up the house and finished dinner. We fed 19 people today. All of us, 4 missionaries, 2 ladies from the Spanish branch that are going through hard times and Lenny. Chelsea and Brian will head home tomorrow, and we are going to try to go to SLC on Tuesday for a Nielsen family party.

It was great seeing you and talking to you. Keep working hard and being exactly obedient in all things. We know you can do great things in this new area.

Have a super day, and we hope you had a great Christmas.

Love Dad

Dearest Elder Nielsen,

That was really fun talking to you today.  You looked happy and smiley as usual.  We told you a little about our week, but I could tell you more.  Chelsea and Brian arrived on Wed.  They stayed with Brian's brother in Utah the night before.  It helps to break up the trip for little David. but they said that we sailed through wonderfully.  David is a cute little guy, it was fun to have them here.  David is a very social little boy, he likes everyone and is into everything.  He liked Chica and Maybelle (simons dog).  We are doggy sitting for them for a couple of days.  Amber and Kevin arrived on thurs. and Landon and Erin came a few hours after them.  Erin and Landon have been staying at the Welches since they have more room over there.  Landon's sisters are spending Christmas with their husbands families.  They come over a lot and spend time, because technically this is the year we get them for Christmas. They were comparing what food we would having compared to what the Welches were having and pick and chose their meals.  They ate here mostly, but couldn't resist the Christmas Eve Salmon at Landon's house. (If I had the choice, I would have eaten there too)  I did spend a lot of time in the Kitchen.  I felt like Grandma Croft, when she would complain that she didn't get to spend as much time with everyone because she was always cooking.  Thats when she would pull out the Taquitos.  I was telling the girls this and they said , they loved the Taquitos and that is what they remembered about Grams house--of all her wonderful meals, Taquitos was most remembered.  Hmm, something to think about.

On Friday, early evening we went Caroling with Pres. Shumway and Kate.  We went to Sis. Ballards, Sis. Sargeant, and also Bro. and Sis. Miranda's.  They really enjoyed that.  Bro. Miranda was quite touched by it.  We also went to the Sills.

We went to the Spanish Branch Christmas Party that night and it was really good.  There was lots of good food and they had made gingerbread houses for everyone to decorate.

Saturday morning was the Nielsen basketball Championships.  That was a lot of fun, except that I shredded my hammies.  I   can't play quick sports anymore.  I  just rip my hamstrings off the bone.   I am really sore!

We played our Christmas Game with everyone and the newbies.  It was a good time, Kevin was the last person to pick a prize.  We were all rooting for him to finally roll a 7 or 11, and he did!  Good times.  We had a wonderful Christmas, made all the better by our expanding family. I think  you are going to like these bro-inlaws, and little David is a real hoot.

We attended the 2nd ward Sacrament Mtg. because Landon was singing in a trio with Scott N. and Preston Coppinger.

Afterwards we fed 19 peopled for dinner!  Somehow  we  had enough food for the whole lot.

I hope you were able to enjoy the Christmas Spirit, we capped it all off by getting to see and talk to you.  Love Mom