Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve was quiet and perfect. Grandma and Grandpa B had some sister missionaries over for dinner and all the fun. We read a Christmas book. We acted out the Nativity. We played games and ate yummy food. The best part of all was being with Grandma and Grandpa. We love them so much!

On Christmas day, the rest of the missionaries in the district came over to use the WiFi and Skype with their parents all over the world. In the afternoon/evening, several young singles adults (the ones Grandma and Grandpa teach and work with) came over for dinner. We played more games, ate more good food. Grandma B has it down to a science. She seems to make food appear whenever there is a group. And there is more than enough for everyone. It's like feeding the 5,000. Ha ha!

Christmas vacation - Norwich and Strangers' Hall

Norwich (pronounced Norich, without the 'w') is a super cute city. Grandma and Grandpa showed us all the best parts. We enjoyed walking around and shopping downtown. The market is a permanent structure in the center of town. We walked to the river. We explored the self-proclaimed cutest street in Norwich, Elm Hill. I must say that I agree that it is an adorable street. 

We ended our day with a visit to Strangers' Hall, a medieval building dating back to the 1300's. It was the home of wealthy merchants and the mayors of Norwich. Different rooms are decorated and furnished to depict different historical periods. In the Tudor Great Hall we enjoyed a private concert by a musician playing the Hurdy Gurdy. 

Our visit was such a treat!

 Strangers' Hall

Christmas vacation - Norwich Castle

We drove to Norwich to visit Grandma and Grandpa B, who are currently living there and serving as missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

Grandma and Grandpa took us to see Norwich Castle. Norwich Castle was built by the Normans in the 1060s and 1070s. It was really cool!

Today, it is a historical site and museum. Grandma and Grandpa were great tour guides. The kids enjoyed the fun activities and learning projects that were available for kids inside the castle, including dress-ups, medieval games, and more. The kids figured out how to work a catapult and how to build an archway out of styrofoam stones. It was so much fun. 

The main area was the keep. In it's original state, the balcony level was actually an entire upper floor. Then there was a higher balcony in the rafters for musicians.