Christmas 2010...Unforgetable

For several weeks we looked forward to having the whole Serafine family home for Christmas. Then on Monday, Bradley and Mandy's family got the stomach flu and had to get off their plane and go back home. We felt so bad for them and us. So, then we were all depressed, but we quickly regrouped and focused on baby Graham coming with his parents from Arizona and the rest of the family. Hold on-- on Wednesday we started getting some vibes that maybe something might be going on... then we talked to Bradley and they were in Laramie!!!!! We couldn't believe it, after they got over the worst part of the flu, they got in their car and drove out to Utah. So for two and a half days we enjoyed non-stop fun and togetherness. I know for sure that the parents and grandparents of this group were in heaven and loved every minute of this memorable Christmas.

It all started quietly like this...Graham and Grandma


Frosting sugar cookies with the girls. Aren't they cute?
By the way,we used Mandy's new recipe and loved it.

Graham's first Christmas Eve Program.


Grandma and Grandpa Bradshaw and Graham

Serafine family reciting 15 fun facts about candy
canes...don't ask.

No matter what anyone says, Annie is an Angel!

Jane participating in the Bradshaw nativity program
She is the angel. Anna, Eliza, Drew, Caleb, Sam and
Ben are shepherds and the star.

Jane and Annie sitting on Grandma and Grandpa
Bradshaw's lap. Jane is holding her chocolate gift.

Bradley, Mandy, Jane and Annie Christmas morning.

Look carefully and see that Annie could only use
one hand to unwrap her gifts because she wouldn't
put down her new chocolate!

Graham sitting upright in the gift wrapping position!

One last sleepover with Aunt Katelyn before she
leaves on her mission to South Carolina.

The three sweetest grandchildren ever. We just
loved having them and the rest of the family for Christmas!

Allison and Riley Wilson are Engaged!

Allison and Riley Wilson got engaged on Friday,
December 3, 2010. They came over to make their
announcement, but we weren't home. So they waited
with Katelyn for a while, then called us and we came
running home. We did have a "heads up" that it was
coming since Riley had asked to meet with Dad the
day before. We are very happy for them and
celebrated that night with a toast and sparkling cider.
Ok... so maybe I should remember what has already
been posted, you already know they are engaged!

KATELYN'S CALL

After what seemed like an eternity, a lovely large white envelope arrived at our house on December 15th! Congratulations to Katelyn on her mission call to serve in the South Carolina Columbia Mission. She reports to the MTC on March 23. We are all so excited for her and know she can do anything she puts her mind to. We love you Katelyn!

Kelli & Jake Trip to Oakland

This last weekend Jake and I were able to make a quick trip out to Oakland to see the Terrones family get sealed in the Oakland temple. We drove Friday afternoon and evening, spent the entire Saturday with friends from the mission, and then drove Sunday. It was such a quick trip, but turned out to be the perfect weekend. Let me tell you why....

The Terrones are an amazing family! Back in the summer of 2007 when I was in my last area of Richmond we knocked on their door and first met Enrique (the father) and he chatted with us and invited us back when we could meet with his wife as well. We went back a few days later and met Evelyn (the mother) who was just as kind as can be and an amazing cook. We taught them the first lesson and then wanted us to come back to teach their 2 teenage daughters and their younger children (Lizbeth, Nohely, Lil' Ricky (Enrique), Eve (Evelyn)). And so we taught them again and again and within a few short months they were attending church & mutual, having family prayer and scripture study and preparing for baptism. They were the perfect little family and I just felt so blessed to even know and work with them. This family though before they were baptized has several little problems. Not really anything big, but they seemed to always be arguing with one another, had lots of financial difficulties, and were struggling to keep their family going. Since they have joined the church they still have these difficulties, but they are able to work through them with the principles of the gospel, paying their tithing and receiving the blessings that Heavenly Father has for them. The gospel has blessed their life. The gospel blesses all of our lives.

So, we fast forward almost 3 years later when I hear that December 11 they are going baptize their youngest daughter who turned 8 and then walk over to the temple to be sealed. I was so excited! This was the family that I had seen come to church for the first time, pray for the first time, read scriptures, develop their testimony and become active and faithful members of the church and know they were going to be sealed! This is what every missionary of the church wants for everyone they talk to. They want for all people to return back to Heavenly Father and take the necessary steps and ordinances to do so.. and that's what they did. It was nothing that I ever did or said that made them join the church or get sealed. It was all the work of Heavenly Father and I was lucky enough to be a part of it. I can't really even express the feelings and the joy that I felt sitting there in the sealing room with their family, watching them take the next step in their eternal progression.

After the baptism and temple and in traditional Mexican style there was a fiesta at the church that afternoon/evening. The Terrones celebrated this sealing almost like it was another wedding...a renewing of vows of sorts and so there was a wedding dress, cake, food, dj, dancing and all that fun wedding stuff. I loved Eve's description of the day, she said, "I'm getting married to my parents!" and really that was the newly baptized 8 year old's understanding of the day. They all wore matching dresses and danced the night away. Jake and I only stayed for a little bit because we went to San Francisco that night.

Anyways, it was a great weekend. I am so glad I was able to make it back for this event and to introduce Jake to all these people that I always talk about. The weather cooperated nicely and we enjoyed ourselves. Let's all remember the joy we feel when we do missionary work and really renew ourselves to sharing the gospel with others. We have the knowledge and blessing of the gospel that we should be sharing with others and I hope we can all make those efforts to do so. Here are some pictures of the day.

10 days and counting!

Hey family, did you know we have completed 100 posts? This blog is awesome and I'm glad we have it and each contribute. There are only a few more days until Christmas and I can't wait to see you all again, have some good quality time and enjoy Christmas together!!

A few things that will happen before everyone gets here:

-Katelyn will get her mission call tomorrow!! If you haven't put in your guess you better do it soon!

-New Mexico Bowl, I think Jake and Riley (S) are going down to it. Which means they miss..

-The Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert!!!!!! This Friday night! I might burst with excitement!! Only problem is...we have 4 tickets for 6 people. Hopefully standby pulls through for us!

-Savior of the World! Riley Wilson was sweet and bought us tickets to it on the 22nd. So, for those of you rolling in that day I won't be home till around 10, sorry!! I can't wait for this either :)

-Finals end.. Thank goodness. A long semester and it is soon to end! Ok, I'm not actually in school, but Riley studying all the time can

be a drag. Four finals down, two to go!

-I've got a few projects that I'm working on, so hopefully those get finished by Christmas!

-I only have three more days at East Shore High School. Yes! Oh but I will be working from home for them next semester, along with part time at UVU, and 14 credits at BYU, and oh we'll be planning a wedding. Wish me luck..... I doubt you'll hear from me next semester.

-I start at BYU in like 23 days or something. I should probably start doing something to prepare..

-I haven't participated in any service projects yet this Christmas. Any good ideas? That always puts me in the Christmas spirit!

-Last, but not least, I love this bouquet...

P.S. We're engaged.

I don't want to brag, but I could very possibly be the happiest person in the entire world! Here is why:Here is the low down. On Friday, Riley couldn't hold the secrets in anymore so he told me everything! (which, you should all know, I was very happy about. I couldn't stand waiting either). So, we followed his original plan, which was supposed to happen on Saturday, and drove up to Bridal Veil falls, took a lovely walk and then he "popped the question". I think it goes without saying that I agreed. Afterward we went to Macaroni Grill for some dinner which was delicious. Then we went to Riverton to surprise the parents, but they weren't even home but Kate was. The parents soon arrived and had Martinelli's in some lovely plastic cups. Soon after we went to West Jordan to tell his parents and they were very excited as well! It was a wonderful evening, Riley and I are very excited!!