The First Presidency Christmas Devotional

Tyson and I were able to attend the First Presidency Christmas Devotional with friends Billy and Tonya. We had a great time with them! It was a great evening with a little story to go along with it...

Tyson and I got there at about 5:00 and we had to be in our seats by 5:30. We stood in line to get in and waited for Billy and Tonya. We had their tickets so we couldn't go inside without them. The line was going really fast so we stepped out a few times till they got there. I was amazed at how fast we were able to get in. The four of us got in line, went through security (I got beeped AGAIN. I always get beeped!), then made our way into the conference center. We were in section 6, which is one of the middle sections on the main floor. Exciting! We expected to be in one of the balconies. As we approached, a guest service member told us it was full so she directed us to section 7. We started walking over there when a man in guest services stopped us and asked us how many we had in our group. Tyson told him 4 and the man said, "Follow me. And put your tickets in your pockets." So down the walkway we went. Farther. And farther. And farther, until we got to a red velvet rope at the VERY front of the conference center. The gentlemen then says, "You will be sitting with the general authorities and their families so please respect their privacy." We sat down on the fourth row and excitedly watched as the general authorities (Elder Oaks and others) with their families came and sat all around us. It was so fun! We had better seats for the First Presidency Christmas Devotional than we ever get in sacrament meeting. And we always have a bench in sacrament meeting, if that gives you an idea. It was so wonderful! We had a great time with Billy and Tonya. It was nice to get out and do something with friends!

We had left Brycen with my Uncle Bob and Aunt Penney in Farmington. My grandparents were there visiting as well so it was especially fun for Brycen. That week we had a GIGANTIC wind storm across the Wasatch Front. Ogden winds topped at 93 mph, nowhere close to the over 105 mph winds Centerville and Farmington got. When we drove through Farmington to take Brycen we couldn't believe how many trees and fences were blown apart and all over the place. That Sunday the wards in the area were cancelled after the sacrament was passed so the members could go out and clean up in preparation for another storm that was expected to arrive the night of the concert. A couple of inches of snow was expected along with the winds. By the time we left Bob and Penney's house the winds and snow had begun. Yikes!

Brycen had a blast at Bob and Penney's. Not only did he have them to play with as well as my grandparents, but my cousins Kayleigh and Ashleigh were there too (Ashleigh for just part of the evening). But he loved it! By the time we got there he was in the basement with everybody playing on a banana chair and throwing a ball around. He was giving the ball to my grandma to throw up the stairs and it would come bouncing back down. When someone picked it up and gave it to him he'd give it right back to Grandma to throw it back up the stairs. He ate dinner with them and they watched the broadcast of the devotional together. The power went out for a bit while he was there and he was mad that the Christmas tree went dark. Silly boy. It's so nice having family close to watch him. They loved having him there and he really enjoyed it. Thanks again, Bob, Penney, Grandma, Grandpa, Kayleigh, and Ashleigh!! We really appreciated your help!