~DECEMBER: DISNEYLAND & DISNEY WORLD~

    Disneyland and Disney World truly are the magical kingdoms they're advertised to be!  Many of our family have been to one or the other, but they didn't send me pictures.  The Browns lived in Florida for a while and went to Disney World more than once...sometimes with other families that were visiting.  And Devynne actually worked there for a semester...that must have been tough :-)  She was able to get employee discounts for her family to visit as well, so they took a wonderful family vacation to Disney World where they were able to get into some places, some shows and some rides because of Devynne's influence.
    I remember going to Disneyland when it first opened in the 1960's.  It was fun then, and even more fun now, with all the amazing rides and places to see.  One time, Dad went to Disneyland, after we had been married for 20 years or so, with his brother and sister...just the 3 of them.  They had a great time.  I know Rachel has been there when they visited the beach and I'm sure Joel has been there, hasn't he been everywhere?  Most recently, Mary has enjoyed a Disneyland vacation.

December has been so amazingly wonderful!  I wish I had more time to journal about it.  The Temple takes up all my blogging time, however, so I'm doing this on January 1st, 2016.  Our December birthdays are amazingly wonderful, too.

Alex turned 1 on the 8th.

DeWitt turned 22 on the 10th.

Rachel's birthday was the 17th.

Thomas turned 10 on the 19th.

And Hyrum turned 8, ready to be baptized and become a cub scout, on the 30th.

~OUR DECEMBER~

The first week in December, I was able to go to Lindsay's bridal shower because it was on a Monday when the Temple is closed.  It was such a nice shower, given by one of Stephanie's friends.  I was so glad that Erika and Reygan came to help me represent her new Biggs family.

After the shower, we went to Hawaii supposedly to help Joel with his Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade on December 7th.  Actually it was a very restful, lovely vacation for Dad and me.  Jeremy, Levi, Bert Johnson and Chris Meeker also accompanied Joel on this trip.

These pictures are taken from our room.  There were so many weddings, in our hotel, alone.  Probably 3 or 4 a day...all Japanese. 

We loved sitting in the rockers on the front porch of our hotel and watching the Japanese and other tourists walk by.  There was probably one caucasion per every 10 Japanese.  The Japanese were all beautiful, polite and prosperous looking.  I don't know if it's that way all the time, or if they were here to celebrate their victory at Pearl Harbor, but I kept hearing people say, "They lost the war but won Hawaii." 

The bottom photos are of us doing the one thing we did to help...making banners that recognized those who died during the attack of Pearl Harbor.  Actually, Dad did more, but I didn't.

Hawaii has some great places to eat, including our Hotel

This huge Banyan tree is just beside one of the hotel's outdoor restaurants.  As I has taking this picture, I got bird bombed.  Just before, while we were sitting at one of the tables, Dad got bird bombed! We gave up and went inside.

At the parade, Levi had a bird's eye view in a crane high up over the street, where he took pictures.

These pictures were taken with my phone.  Levi's were much better, I'm sure.

These are some of the survivors of the attack.  They are all in their 90's and at least two of them walked the whole route.  They were all wonderful.  See Joel's picture with one of them in "Something to make you smile." 

There was a strong military presence in the parade...Army, Navy, Marines.

Several high schools from all across the country came to perform, and also a Japanese percussion group.

Reproduction of the famous picture taken when the end of the war was announced in NYC.

After the parade there was an award ceremony with chicken dinner, performances, and a couple of crazy old ladies who wanted to dance to the music.

When we got home, we found that all our trees had dropped their leaves.  We hired Thomas and his kids to clean up the front yard, but the back yard was still a wonderful playground.  Mary even bagged some and took them home for her kids to play in.

I was not able to get to many of the grandchildren's Christmas programs this year.  I saw Brianna's and Lindsay's piano recital because it was in the morning of a day Dad and I worked in the afternoon and evening.  They were so good.  I was very proud of both of them.

Luke's orchestra concert was in the evening of a day we worked in the morning.  But usually, the programs were right when we were in the temple and we had to miss them.

Rachel's birthday was the 17th, and we were off that day, so we were able to have her sister/dad/daughter/son luncheon on her very birthday.

I had wiped Alex's mouth and he decided to wipe mine!

That night, Kirtlyn and a group of girls were singing with the Thatcher High School choir, so I went, hoping that she would be among the first numbers because we opened early the next morning and had to get up at 2:45.  But they started late, and I wasn't able to stay until she performed.  Her number was not among the first, so I had to go.  I did get a picture with her, though.

Kirtlyn and Brianna tried out for the intermediate group of Youth Theater's production of Into the Woods.  There will be two casts, and both of them got the part of Jack.  It's going to be tricky trying to find free time to see both casts perform.

Kids' ornaments for this year.  I sent the Jesus one to the kids who were not able to go to the Harry Potter reunion.

We were invited to Thomas' house for his family birthday celebration.

I received these lovely flowers from Joel and Stephanie and their family.  They made a beautiful centerpiece for our table for two whole weeks!

On the 21st, we had our Polar Express party.  We were going to skip it this year, but some of the moms said it was their kids' favorite Christmas tradition.  So, since we had a Monday free, we had our party that night while the parents went shopping.

On Christmas Eve, we had our traditional party complete with pork chops, Santa Claus, talent show and the Nativity pageant.  I invited a couple of lonely ladies and one of them, Bobbi Layton, brought her granddaughter, who was so thrilled to be an angel.  She was more excited about that than Santa Claus.  It was so much fun to have a visit from Santa, who, this year, looked a lot like Isabel!

Santa and his (her) elf.

Our family reeks with talent.

We finally have gone through all the girls and boys who want to be Mary and Joseph, (Maya and Jared didn't want to do it) so we started at the top again.  Rylie was Mary and DeWitt was Joseph.  Kirtlyn and Brynlie were the shepherds, with their sheep: Polly, Alex and Carson.  Our angels were Lindsay, Maya, and Halle.  The wisemen were Hyrum, Brianna, Thomas and Camille.  They weren't going to let her be a 4th wiseman, but I told her that there could very well have been 4 wisemen.  We don't know.  So she was the 4th.  And over all, was Isabel, the star.

We had a nice, quiet Christmas Day...sleeping in till 8:00 and then just visiting everyone to see what Santa brought.

Thomas and Jenn's Family

Mary and Tyson's family.  That Nativity set, from Mexico, that Mary and Tyson gave us, has 4 wisemen!

Rachel and Tony's family.

Christmas night, Rebecca and her family invited us to a wonderful Christmas dinner.

On the 27th, Dad and I had to speak in church...after an all-day (9 a.m.-9:30 p.m.) shift at the temple. I'm not sure what the subject was, because we are always supposed to talk about the Temple.  I started my talk with "Putting Away Christmas," about how we can't put away Christ when we put away Christmas.  I wrote this verse with those thoughts in my mind.

It's time to put away Christmas;

Put it away 'til next year...

The tinsel, the wreath and the holly,

All the things that brought Christmas cheer.

But do I put away Christ with the holly?

Do I think of Him just once a year?

Do I need nativities and carols

To remind me to keep Jesus near?

If I live as the Savior has taught,

If I faithfully follow His light,

I'll feel His spirit inside me

Just as much as on Christmas night.

Then I'll never really put away Christmas,

It will stay in my heart all year long.

I'll still feel the Spirit of Christmas

As if I just heard a Christmas song.

Right after we spoke, we left for Mesa to attend Stetson and Lindsay's wedding in the Gilbert Temple. 

We went over on Monday to help a little in the preparations.  Dad and Jeremy repaired Grandma's silver chafing dish and I polished it.  But there were so many more preparations going on.  Three huge tents in the back yard, tables, chairs, chandeliers, and beautiful decorations.

The day of the wedding dawned bright and clear.

Beautiful bride and handsome groom.

Dad sealed them thoroughly...for eternity.  

All Joel's Arizona siblings came, and as many of their children as could, so there was a huge crowd.  Lindsay is one of 12, herself, so she had a huge crowd too.

The luncheon was at Tia Rosa's who provided a fabulous buffet.

I notice that I have used the word "fabulous" twice already, so I can't use it again...but it perfectly describes the reception in Joel and Stephanie's back yard that night.  I had seen it the day before, but had no idea it was going to be this amazing, terrific, beautiful...ok...fabulous!

Jan and Kent, Lisa and Deon, Nancy and Dale, and Carolyn and Diane all came from our extended families.  Even still our whole family was just a small portion of the huge crowd that filled the back yard.

The royal dance.

The kids, both big and little, enjoyed the dancing.

Dad says our only job is to sit around and look cute.

Finally, Stetson and Lindsay were sent off with a barrage of fireworks!

We got home just in time on the 30th, to do our shift in the Temple, missing Hyrum's birthday party, but the Temple was closed on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, so we got to enjoy a party at Mary's house, given by her and Tyson, Thomas and Jenn and Rachel and Tony.  We stayed until we got too tired, after the fireworks, then went home to our warm baths and comfy beds while they rang in  2016.

Tyson's grill-on-the porch setup so he can watch the game while he cooks!  Dad and Thomas and Tony watched it from the warmth of Tyson's basement.

This is really supposed to be January 2016, because Sara's baby shower at Rebecca's was New Year's Day, but since I'm not finished with the blog for December yet, I decided to include it too.

These girls are all carrying Grandma Sherry's great grandsons.  Two of them are carrying mine.  Beautiful moms make beautiful babies...right?

NEWS FROM AROUND THE FAMILY

~NATHAN AND SHAUNA~

After his graduation from UNO (University of Nebraska, Omaha), Palmer received word that he had been accepted to the Midwestern Dental School in Glendale.  So for 4 years, they are going to be Arizona kids! :-D

Josh and his Elders' Quorum counselors, one of whom is going on a mission.

Josh graduated from UNO and is on his way to making a difference in his community as Josh the Preservationist

 $100 lei.

Celebration dinner.

They had a white Christmas.

The family together for Christmas, face timing us and Hannah.

This is the Chuukese language she is learning.

Christmas shirts from the parents.  Hannah got one too...what movie is it from?

From Hannah in Hawaii.

From Josh the preservationist.

~JOEL AND STEPHANIE~
Joel in Hawaii.  On our balcony,  in our room with our banners, and at the Island Magic show.

The amazing parade...Dare I say "Fabulous?"

After the parade and before the parade.

At Lindsay's shower

They had the Gilbert/Mesa siblings over for Christmas Eve dinner.

Christmas day.  Never grow up, boys.

Helping with the wedding preparations?

Pizza for the helpers.

They even remodeled the front of their house as well as the back.

Waiting outside the Temple for the bride and groom.

Here they are!

I remember Grandma telling Dad that it was his job to hold up my dress.  Looks as if Stetson is well trained.

The groomsmen

The hosts for the luncheon.

The menu for the reception dinner, courtesy of Lindsay's dad.

Words of advice for Levi's toast.

Toasting the bride and groom.

Cutting the amazing cake.

An explosive send off!

~DANIEL AND CONNIE~

This hero from Pearl Harbor is Brock's Uncle. Captain Bennion.  He was a Medal of Honor recipient, Dad said.

Emma's class in school had a lesson about mining.  One of Colorado's main industries.

Shannyn and her friend helping Santa at their Ward party.

Biggs' Polar Express party.

Porter and Alta Jo have moved to Omaha.  Enjoying Christmas...and each other, it looks like.

Brock cut their perfect tree.

Devynne and Juletomtens, Swedish Santa.

Colorado's white Christmas.

Albert is so used to it that he goes barefoot in the snow!

At least Analynn (above) and Emma (below) know how to dress for snow!

Their neighbor had a property endangerment permit and gave it to Daniel who used it to legally hunt elk on his property.

~REBECCA AND SCOTT~

DeWitt's birthday German Chocolate cake.  How many of our men ask for German Chocolate for their birthdays?

Allison's remodeled kitchen, courtesy of her handy husband.

They enjoyed a trip to Vancouver, Canada.

Dallin and Sara in Virginia.  He is graduating in the spring and is looking around for architect schools.

Rebecca and Rachel are trying to fill Lillian's shoes with Sara Konopnicki.

DeWitt's masked Christmas Ball.

Polly's tournament.  She took an elbow to the eye!  They came in first, though, with Polly as the high scorer, so she thinks a shiner was worth it.

While Rebecca and Scott were in Eagar with Polly, they visited one of the places from their honeymoon.

DeWitt and Polly are so glad they have each other, with all their other siblings elsewhere.

DeWitt and some of his friends have gone snowboarding at Sunrise a few times this winter.

Polly had a snow date on the mountain.

On the day before Christmas, (Christmas Day in the Philippines) the family got to talk to Lillian on the phone.  They were not able to Skype or face time.  Even the call kept dropping.  But they were glad for the amount of conversation they were able to have.

On Christmas Eve, after DeWitt and Polly had gone to bed in their Wookie pjs, with visions of sugarplums dancing in their heads, Patrick Eady came by and begged Rebecca to let him help put out Christmas.  

A Christmas Day dip in the hot tub.

Christmas dinner with the grandparents.

Allison & Taylor, Dallin & Sara in Washington and Virginia, respectively.

They both came after Christmas so were able to go to the wedding and to have fun with the family for a week or so.  Here they are at Top Golf.

From Lillian in Manilla.

Sara's baby shower.

~JEREMY AND ERIKA~

They visited some friends on their way home from Safford.

At church overlooking Pearl Harbor; the parade, where Jeremy took pictures; after the parade at the awards ceremony and program.

Their family went to a rock concert and found themselves sitting just a couple of rows away from Shad and Harrison!

Reygan says "What is that white stuff on my windshield?"  

Her contribution to the family Christmas decorations.

             These pictures are either Mesa's Merry Mainstreet, Winter Wonderland or both.

Christmas.

Their best present was getting to talk to Daynen.

They also saw Star Wars during the Christmas break.

~RACHEL AND TONY~

The Christmas display at the Temple.

At the Light Parade in Safford.

Luke's orchestra concert.  He is getting very good on the violin.

Rachel with Sara Konopnicki.

Rachel's birthday luncheon.

More birthday celebrating.

All dressed up for a holiday party at the Women's Club.

Making Christmas cookies.

They spent time with the Alders in Mesa for their Christmas celebrations.

The Alder family minus Isabel but plus Santa Claus.

Christmas.

At the wedding.

In front of Joel and Stephanie's front door.

At the New Years' Eve party at Mary's.

~ESTHER AND SHAD~

Bridger's band concert.

Harrison's band concert...they are going to Disneyland.

Harrison's piano recital.  His teacher has told him she can't teach him any more.  He's beyond what she can teach him.  

Brody's school program where he really jammed out!  That boy has moves!

Miss Esther's All Star Preschool.

At the rock concert where they saw Jeremy and Erika's family.

Esther and Shad's family and Jeremy and Erika's family went to the Hiatt Christmas party.

They went to see the Christmas lights at the Mesa Temple.

Their whole neighborhood was all decorated with these Christmas lollipops.

Bridger had a breathing scare and had to go to Urgent care.

Christmas.

Rachel's and Mary's families stayed with Esther when they went to Mesa for the wedding.

~THOMAS AND JENN~

Although I wasn't able to go to either program, I was glad to get the pictures.

We hired the Biggses to clean the leaves in our front yard.

Thomas' 10th birthday

Family Christmas picture.

Christmas.

Jenn got a bread maker and Thomas got a saw.

Hyrum's 8th birthday family party.

At the New Year's Eve party at Mary's.  Fireworks.

Movie.

Henry was just too pooped to party!

~MARY AND TYSON~

Leaves at our house made for a lot of leafy fun at their house.

They took a Christmas gift trip to Disneyland.

Alex had his first birthday while they were there.

Also to the beach.

At Brianna and Lindsay's piano recital.

One time, Lindsay was trying to play a Christmas song on the piano, and she asked Brianna for help. Brianna said, "Why don't you just do it the easy way?"  So she proceeded to pick out the song by ear, playing chords and accompaniment as she went along.  I said, "That's definitely not the easy way.  Most people study for years, learning how to do that.  Only a few are gifted with it naturally: Mozart, Beethoven and Brianna.

Lindsay with her baptism dress for February.

Alex's smash-the-cake-first birthday-party...a week late.

A beautiful Christmas picture.

Mary bought the inflatables at a yard sale.

Christmas in Cotton City.

Snow in Cotton City.

Christmas.

Isn't it fun watching a baby enjoy Christmas?

They visited the Mesa Temple lights while they were in Gilbert for the wedding.

New Year's Eve bonfire and fireworks.

Falling asleep waiting for their parents to quit having so much fun!

~MISSIONARIES~

Daynen in Brazil.

Hannah in Hawaii.

Lillian in Manilla

~SOMETHING TO MAKE YOU SMILE~

I found myself smiling a long time, looking at this wonderful father-daughter picture.

Joel with an appreciative Pearl Harbor survivor made me smile.

This picture is a mystery.  Look at the ghost in the mirror.  When I finally figured it out...after a lot of explaining by everyone who thought I had finally lost my mind...I had to smile.

The year of 2015 has been a banner year.  One full of new starts, new babies, new family members, new homes, new places to visit, new callings, even new jobs.  I'm glad that even though I haven't had time to do this, that I did it anyway.  For the next three years, though, I think I might just keep it my personal journal and enter the things Dad and I do.  I spend twice as much time on the News From Around the Family as I do our part, and have to beg people for pictures...and I don't think everyone even reads it anyway.  I'll go back to it after we are released, though, because I think it's a good way to keep in touch with each other and I like the idea of a family journal, not just a personal journal.

I'm looking forward to 2016 and the growth of the Tom and Susan Biggs family.  I'm looking forward to spending time with each of you.  We get breaks every now and then from our Temple schedule, so I'm hoping we can spend some of them with kids from out of town.  We love all of you so much and are so thankful for all you do and all you are.  Never forget how much we love you and how much your Heavenly Father loves you too.  Stay close to Him.  It is our only protection in this increasingly wicked world.  Go to the Temple where you will find peace and assurance.  Elder Vaughn J. Featherstone said, "As the evil night darkens upon this generation, we must come to the temple for light and safety.  In our temples we find quiet, sacred havens where the storm cannot penetrate to us.  There are hosts of unseen sentinels watching over and guarding our temples.  Angels attend every door.  As it was in the days of Elisha, so it will be for us; "Those that be with us are more than they that be against us."  He concluded by saying that if we are faithful in attending the temple, angels will  guard our children and protect them from the evils of the world.  Who wouldn't want that???  Have a wonderful 2016, everyone.