Our Official Opening of the Season

About 5 years ago we created a new tradition

which officially begins the Christmas Holiday for us.

The Saturday following Thanksgiving

we go to The Big City and have a lovely dinner

and then go to The Symphony Hall

to participate in the annual

Messiah sing-in.

We've taken different people with us because

it is Just So Cool to do this

in a huge, beautiful hall

with people who know what they are doing.

This year we took all of our children

and Fred's girlfriend, Morgan.

We started off with dinner at

Buca di Beppo

(this is Doug holding up the fried calamari-ugh)

(Fred and Morgan laughing about something)

We had lots of food.

In fact, we're still eating leftovers.

And it was good to spend another day

with our children

because they are just so great

and we love to be with them whenever we can.

After dinner it was off to Symphony Hall

and the wonderful experience of singing

this beautiful music.

This year Doug and I were really prepared

and were able to sing all the music

(for the most part)

because we had worked hard to learn the music using this.

It was Great.

It was actually better than Great.

Then, wrapped in blankets from the car, we walked over

to see the lights at Temple Square

stopping to get some cups of chocolate warmth

and while we were stopped at this corner

Santa drove by in a small yellow car

and opened the window and called out

TO US

"Merry Christmas!"

and waved as he drove away.

It was SO COOL!

He wasn't wearing his formal gear,

he had on a white shirt and red suspenders.

But it was him, white hair and beard and twinkly eyes!

It was wonderful to be with my family, together, on the grounds of the temple

where we can go to be sealed together as a family for all eternity.

Who wouldn't want to be with this crazy bunch for forever?!

Doug and I are blessed, indeed.

And now the Christmas Season is officially here!