Christmas Vacation Begins...

December 23, 2012

WE ARE FINALLY IN UTAH AGAIN! This past week I was able to change my work schedule so that we could leave a day earlier than planned to be in Utah for the holidays. Matt and i took off at 7:30 am Friday Dec. 21, 2012... (When the world was supposed to end... obviously it didn't). Anyways, we began the journey before the sun had officially come up and lets just say that Nebraskans don't know how to plow the roads. The first 2 hours of our 14 hour journey was awful and so scary at parts. There were ice patches everywhere and the fastest we got was 30 miles per hour. There was one large patch of ice that covered the whole road for at least 500 yards. When we hit it there were cars going everywhere on the road. The car directly behind started to spin out of control, but eventually got itself back on track before any damage. I think the worst part for me was passing the 4 dozen cars that had been involved in some sort of accident. There was one spot that looked like a car grave yard... it was obvious that some lives were taken in that spot the very night before we were on the road. So tragic and so terrifying. I don't think i have prayed so sincerely in such a long time. After Kearney, Nebraska the roads cleared up and it was smooth sailing for the rest of the trip. I still think Matt and i will fly this next year though. its much safer above the storms than driving in them or through the after effects of the storms.

Our last stop was in Evanston Wyoming. We stopped at a Maverick to stretch our legs and stuff and saw they had EGGNOG soft serve! So with it being 2 degrees outside we got us each a serving of ice cream and enjoyed it for the rest of the trip! 

Since our arrival we have had so much fun! Saturday we went to the Clegg Family Christmas shin-dig. It started with a talent show at the care center that Matt's Aunt lives at. Matt and i sang "O Little Town of Bethlehem." Matt also sang "O Holy Night." It was beautiful! and i always love singing with Matt because he is such a great singer. After the Christmas program we went to the church and ate a very Philippian lunch! Authentically cooked by a Philippian lady herself! One of Matt's cousins served his mission there and knew the lady. It was so delicious! 

The rest of the party consisted of the Clegg family orchestra and nativity. all the kids dress as the different characters of the Christmas story and all those who play instruments play different songs that go along with the scriptures being read and the rest of us sang the songs. It was so fun to make music together in order to celebrate and honor the Saviors birth, and i can't express just how cute the little kids were up there on the stage! It was 100% Americana! 

Today being Sunday we attended church. Its tradition that Matt sings with the church choir with just the one rehearsal before the program... well his brother Michael and i were invited to do the same. so the entire Clegg family that was at church that day sang and participated in the musical program. It was so amazing to feel the spirit and be singing with such great people! 

Today is also Matt's dad's 50th Birthday! We had a lovely dinner at Grandma and Grandpa Clegg's house of ham and potatoes, YUM! and then opened presents, sang Happy Birthday and ate strawberry cheese cake and delicious carrot cake that Julie made. The rest of the evening consisted of playing games, visiting with old friends, played a Christmas trivia game (kinda cool), and my most favorite part was taking goodies around to people in the ward and caroling! It was so fun to sing with such great singers! All 4 parts were covered and i was able to switch with Julie on parts so it was interesting and enjoyable for me! One other thing that really made it memorable was that it snowed while we were out! SO MAGICAL! 

Well, tomorrow is Christmas Eve and there are some other wonderful things planned! This will be continued soon! 

P.S. The above picture is of the first Ginger Bread House Matt and i did together! We are pretty proud of it! I also like this picture because it shows our Christmas Tree in the back. :)

MERRY CHRISTMAS!