Layton Companies Christmas Party

We always enjoy going to Paul's work Christmas party. For the last couple of years it has been at the Show Barn at Thanksgiving Point. This year it was billed as Sweatermania or wear your favorite sweater. I think what they really meant was for it to be an ugly sweater party but it that wasn't clear so we didn't really know what to wear. Some people really went the ugly sweater route and some like us, just wore a sweater. The dinner was delicious. The entertainment was a duo called "The Dueling Pianos" They passed out request papers to everyone in the audience and then would play those requests. It was amazing what they could play. Of course they had a whole act to go with it and definitely got some employees up on stage to embarrass them. The best part was the photobooth set up for everyone to get their pictures taken. The company Funny Face Photo Booth was great and had the best set up I've seen so far (we've seen several at different weddings lately). They had tons of props we could choose from and gave us 3 copies of our photo strip and a free digital download code. Very fun night :)

Look who's got a Girlfriend

This is Max. He's the elf on the shelf at our house. I can't remember if I've posted about him before. He started visiting our house last year and he's come back again this year. Jared and Kamryn were very anxious for him to come back and for the few days before Dec 1 they started looking around for him.

This year they got up early the first few days that Max was back and would stumble around, all bleary-eyed looking for Max. One day Max didn't make it to the North Pole during the night, but went instead while they were away at school all day.

Now it looks like he's gone and found himself a girlfriend !

The Big Day

weighing in Wed morning

187 lbs

checking the weight on his big bag

over by about 7 lbs

dad checking the weight on the smaller bag

just under

all lined up, ready to go

last family photo in front of our house

(thanks Noel)

my great kids at the Provo Temple grounds

Kamryn with her missionary brother

Elder Adams with his brother Jared

Elder Adams and his brother Taylor

Elder Adams with his beautiful sister, Brooke

Elder Adams with his dad

Elder Adams with his mom

(notice she's trying to hold on tight)

Elder Adams with his very proud parents

Elder Adams

(I love the sound of that)

another family photo,

just before heading over to the MTC

time for hugs goodbye

the weather was cold and a little dreary

with little snowflakes falling down

heading to the car to go across the street to the MTC

she's really going to grow up while he's gone

I love this one

(but at the same time it really breaks my heart)

the drop off went so much better than I expected it would. This new system the MTC has in place is actually a good thing and so much easier, I'm sure. He was met by his host missionary - who's leaving to go to Germany the day after Christmas. We had a big family hug all together and then he was gone. For 2 years.

Setting Apart

Justin's farewell dinner at Golden Corral

Missionaries get to eat for free there the day before they enter the MTC

My parents and Paul's dad were able to join us

a happy and satisfied Elder

hanging out

while Justin met with Pres Stringham

Justin's little angel sister

Jared catching a little snooze while we wait

the wonderful brethren

who were in the circle to set apart Justin

Justin with his Shingleton grandparents

Justin and Grandpa Adams

Two wonderful men

Justin with proud mama

Justin with his siblings

Justin with his very proud parents

We've been home just a little bit from Justin's setting apart and I'd like to jot down a few things to remember what was said and what happened tonight.

When we first got to the stake center Pres Stringham met with Justin in his office while I had a few moments to lose it. Then when we were all gathered together Pres Stringham counseled our family and gave us good advice and testimony. The spirit was very strong in the room and actually very comforting. Pres Stringham then called on several of us to say something. He called on Brooke, Grandpa Adams, Grandma Shingleton, Bishop Hinckley, Paul and me.

Brooke wasn't prepared to be called on and didn't say too much. We all know she's really going to miss her big brother.

Grandpa Adams talked about how proud he is of Justin and glad that he has chosen to serve a mission.

Grandma is also very proud of him and hopes that she will still be here to see him come home. She was a little emotional and that is not something my kids have probably ever seen.

The bishop talked about our family and how important our nightly scripture study and family prayers have been.

Dad told him how much we're going to miss him and that's been a great son and easy child to raise. He shared how important it was that Justin decided on his own and made his own decision to go on a mission.

I of course cried but really only to begin with. I talked about how much I'll miss him esp since we've spent so much time together the last 6 months. I talked about how funny he is and how much he makes me laugh. I commented on what a good companion he will be and I think he'll probably get some difficult companions because his president will find that he is very easy going and very laid back, in a good way.

Pres Stringham gave him a wonderful blessing when he set him apart. Some of the few things that I remember now:

• he blessed him to have good health and be able to sleep
• he blessed him to be able to learn the language
• he talked a lot about the people who are being prepared to be taught the gospel by Elder Adams

All Done

He's all done packing - by 1:30 on Tuesday! And there's room to spare - for all those books he's going to get at the MTC.

Packing

Justin started packing yesterday and look who fits in his suitcases!

Justin's Farewell

Elder Jordy Osborne

and

Elder Justin Adams

Sunday, Dec 11 was a combined farewell for Justin and Jordy. They've known each other since they were five but have only been in the same ward for the last 3 years, since our boundaries were realigned. Justin leaves on the 14th and Jordy leaves on Dec 28 so it worked out for them to have a combined farewell.

Both elders did such an amazing job on their talks. They both gave really good, well thought-out and prepared talks on the sermon on the mount. Brooke played a beautiful piano arrangement of Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing, with a little Lord of the Rings mixed in :)

After the meeting we had an open house at my parent's house. They were very nice to let us have it at their house, since we really don't have room to have that many people at our house.

It was so much fun to see so many good friends and have family there to support Justin and our family. Thanks so much to my sister Susan for being in charge of the kitchen and for all of her work. Thanks also to Julianne, Mackenzie and Jenny for helping in the kitchen. And thanks to all the wonderful people who brought food over for the yummy feast.

a very proud mom

with her handsome missionary son

check out all that good food

I love this shot of Jared and his cousins eating lunch

Kamryn, me and my mom

so fun to have so many great friends and family come

a tired daddy

susan was such an amazing help for the whole event

she helped me clean my mom's house, helped me set up and

worked hard all day making sure the open house ran smoothly

and kept everything stocked and organized

even at the end she made up goodie plates

with the desserts that were left

my wonderful 3 teenagers

although it is hard to get a good picture of all 3 of them

one of the hardest parts of thinking of Justin leaving

is the change that it is going to start in our family

its never going to be the same again :(

Trying to get Katie to give Justin a hug good-bye.

a picture was all we could get.

PS for more pictures check out the album on facebook