December 14, 2013

Yesterday Isaiah and I went on our monthly date-without-Evan-to-the-temple night to the Oakland temple. I'm used to bigger temples but this one was really, really big. There were at least 3 sections in just the dressing room and I had to ask for directions to get out of there. As big as the temple is, it was pretty empty inside and allowed for a quiet, intimate time inside. The temple is wonderful.

I love how when you turn off the freeway the temple is just right there in front of you. With all the lights it was even more spectacular. I love the view of the city from the temple and how you can see the Bay Bridge and over to San Francisco. I love how you can walk around the top of the temple. I love the carvings on the temple walls. This is the temple Isaiah grew up attending (since the Sacramento temple is pretty new) and he said he'll probably always think of it as his "home temple." The Timpanogos temple will always be "my" temple, but for California I think I'd prefer claiming Oakland as well--though don't get me wrong--the Sacramento temple is awesome in its own way too.

This morning we went to the Woodland Christmas Parade. I love parades. I love small town parades. We bundled Evan up in fleece pajamas with a blanket and had great seats right next to the announcers. Evan even scored us some candy...and crashed on the way home.

This evening was our ward Christmas party--a ham dinner with funeral potatoes, rolls, salad, and desserts. Oh, and SANTA of course! I'll let the video tell the story.

We're feeling pretty holly jolly, finishing up Christmas shopping, wrapping presents, delivering Christmas goodies, watching Christmas movies, drinking hot chocolate...there's just 10 days til' Christmas!