Christmas Festivities Begin!

Last year with my christmas bonus, I took everyone

to "The Roof" for dinner. We had such a great

time. We had a private room that over looked

the capital and temple square. This year I wanted

to spend the money a little differently and all of

my kids agreed. At one of the gyms I teach at,

they had Sub for Santa. I loved how they organized

it. You knew about the families situation and what

they needed. We ended eating at Chelsea and Joey's

before we left to go shop!

One 35 yr. old mother had her husband die, June

2010. She was left with 4 boys and no life or

death insurance. Another mother has a daughter

who was disabled. Her father committed suicide

on her birthday. Another family just had their 15

week old baby and has another son and the

father just lost his job. So . . . .

Everyone was helpful and honestly trying to

pick the best thing for each person we had

to buy for. Rodger couldn't come at all and

Dave was only able to make it to the dinner.

Joey was a good sport and volunteered to

be the photographer. From the pictures

below you will see that it kept him very

entertained!

I think we were there about an hour and a

half, so there was time for fun!

I'm sure people were wondering what
in the world are they doing!
There was a dance game and Isaac had quite
the crowd watching him! The picture of them
looking at a shirt, they were seriously figuring
out what shirts to buy for the boy.
I have the cutest family!
There was never a dull moment!

Who says shopping can't be fun?

At this point Chelsea is probably thinking,

"Joe, do you know that my Mom will be

putting these pictures on the blog?!"

And. . . she did! Keep in mind, he's

the photographer!

We went home and wrapped all the gifts and

delivered them the next day. I believe this

will be just as memorable as last year.

Chelsea told me later that Isaac said the

cutest prayer about the families we helped

for Christmas. It made it all worth it!

Thanks to my kids for all their help!

(P.S., if you click on the pictures they

will go bigger.)

More Christmas to follow!