Christmas 2016

The Christmas Season started in Texas for me. The two weekends before I had house guests, Elizabeth and Scott came in to town from Utah for the BYU/Texas Women's Volleyball game.
Then after that I had the Elizondo's for 2 days the next week. I had another Utah visitor come drop by one evening just days before my own Utah trip.  December was a whirlwind of a month with guests, work, church callings, an a lot of friends who needed extra love.

  My trip getting to Utah was not easy. It was full of a few tears, an extra ticket bought, an unexpected stop in Detroit, and the blessing of a chocolate bar in a christmas card from a patient who ordered me to not open it until on the airplane.  However, I would have to say that my trip to Utah was pretty perfect. From immediate family, to aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents, I saw 32 relatives! 32!

 I received two very cherished gifts. One, my grandpa Jack Hutchison wrote out his life story and gave that with a pedigree chart that has a photo of EVERY SINGLE ONE of his POSTERITY. It is the coolest thing I have ever gotten from him. The second is the gift of a family heirloom. I was given the wedding band that belonged to my great-great grandmother Elizabeth Davies. She was married to Peter Cox in 1899 in England. I've known I would inherit it some day, it was a joy to be able to receive it in person from my grandma Aline Kelm.

Christmas Eve was spend celebrating with my dad's family, his brother and sister and their families. 

We did the traditional Kelm Candy Houses. I'd say they were spectacular this year. 

Here is mine with Yoda, Princess Leia, and Chewbacca characters. 

Here is my uncle Warren's with the Imperial Walker shooting at the rebellion on the planet Hoth 

And here is Adam Kelm making his first candy house. He was very proud of his sprinkles. 

And here is the whole village. 

After the houses we had another Kelm tradition. GERMAN PANCAKES! 

Followed by a German and his bride of almost 60 years imparting of their wisdom to us. 

It was great to see Grandma Aline, Grandpa Wolf, Warren, Misty, Halle, Trisha, Darian, and Alisha. 

What a Merry Christmas Eve it was! 

And Christmas Eve it snowed all night long, and we woke up to this! 

 A WHITE CHRISTMAS! 

Mom and I got ready to head to church only to discover we were matching! 

Seriously didn't plan it, but I sure love this lady! 

After I walked home from church, and everyone thought I was crazy, I made us all take pictures outside while it continued to snow! 

What a good looking family I have! 

These two were so fun to have around Christmas morning! 

 NOW get ready for an EPIC photo shoot I had with Aline Kelm... 

Christmas day was filled with my mom's side of the family with the Hutchison's being our gracious and generous hosts. We had grilled steak for lunch.  Teresa and her family joined us. 

The day after Christmas we were joined again by Teresa and her family, as well as my cousin Beth and her crew, and Mike, Terri, and Heather. More family to have fun with. The Texans made all willing persons come outside and build a snowman! 

Yes, that is a Darth Vader hat provided by Clark! 

Then things got a bit carried away. I swear I didn't mean to hit Savannah in the face. I mean, I did mean to hit her with a snowball, but not in the face.  

Then I was viciously attacked by my so-called loving brother Michael. 

He said he was just wanting to help me re-live old snowball fight memories. 

Grrrr, I was angry ( I mean look at that face).... but got over it quickly! 

On my last day there we ventured to Kneaders for all you can eat French Toast. This darling one could not get enough of the whipped cream! 

Can you look much happier then this? No, no you cannot. 

We then posed by our fabulous creations... 

...before Adam destroyed them for us this year! 

Some victims were left in the wake of the destruction... 

We ended the day with a trip to see the lights at Temple Square, eat a little pizza dinner, then off to the airport I went. 

Christmas 2016, you gave me so much joy! I thank you!