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| Pretty awesome when you can have the whole nativity scene with just your own children- complete with Mary, Joseph, baby, an angel, wiseman, and shepherd! |
Our Christmas holiday break was just that- a break. We had a wonderful 2 weeks just being home with our family and enjoying each other. 
The day after Christmas, Aaron took Erika and Kyle skiing for their first time. They had lessons to start the evening and by the end of the night, they had gotten quite comfortable with it!
Dec 27th we went down to Salt Lake to spend some time with the Michel's. My sister had just arrived from California the day before. We stayed at my parents' house on Dec 26-27 and then Sunday right after church we packed up and headed up to the cabin together. We have had very little snow this winter- it has been very unusual for Utah! So, the kids were glad to have some snow to play in, and their cousins there. They have been waiting a long time to see them and it was very exciting! We spent the night of the 28th and 29th at the cabin. I enjoyed hanging out with my siblings and making new memories.
We had a very special anniversary this year- our 15th!! Aaron put a lot of work into making it nice for me and I am so grateful to him. We went down to Salt Lake on Dec 19th and stayed in a nice hotel that night. The kids went with my parents, who gladly took them to my grandma and grandpa Schulz's annual Christmas party with them (where we made our appearance and then left). We took the baby with us, of course, and she did great! The next day, they drove all our kids back to our house and took Erika to her piano recital and Tavaci performance (a second performance we had already seen). We met up with them back at our house late that night.
When we arrived at the hotel, I knew something was going on but I wasn't quite sure what. Aaron had me sit in a conference room for what felt like at least an hour but it probably wasn't. I was getting really curious, though. Then, we went out to eat at an Indian food restaurant- our favorite!
After that, we came to the room. He had set up a huge protector and screen in our room and we sat in comfort and watched a movie he had made for me. Wow! He had pictures of each of our children in order and then he videoed most of the members of our families and had them tell what they loved about me. I don't think I've ever received such a thoughtful, well-planned gift! At the end of the movie, he pulled out a ring he had specially made for me- a mother's ring with my birthstone in the middle and all the kids on each side. It is beautiful!! What a surprise!
We spent the next day relaxing in the hotel until checkout time- sitting in the hot-tub and just doing nothing. It was great! Then, we headed over to Salt Lake. We did a little bit of shopping, of course, and then went out for an early dinner at Bennihana's, one of my all-time favorite restaurants!! I love watching the Japanese chefs cook on the table in front of us! After that, we walked over to the Energy Solutions arena where we watched the "Piano Guys" concert. I had no idea at all what to expect and I was extremely impressed by them. It was incredible and very inspiring!
Thank you, honey- for the wonderful anniversary gift! And, for the most amazing gift of all- you. Thank you for sharing the last 15 years of your life with me and for making me so happy!
