Hi, all, happy to be joining you as a recapper. Let’s begin, shall we?

The family is gathered together saying a prayer for a happy Christmas season. That’s a lovely sentiment but it seems to be getting sort of unwieldy using the “repeat after me†method. One overly long sentence and the whole thing devolves into a crowd mumbling “blah, blah, blah…..â€

Brady talks about the “balancing act†that is his life. No kidding, honey. He’s also looking forward to “slowing down this holiday season†but I just don’t see how that can possibly happen. Dude, you’ve got five wives and 24!!!! kids. You won’t be “slowing down†any time soon.

We learn that oldest son Josh works at his father’s construction company. We also learn that Brady is bidding on a project in Hawaii and if he gets it “we’ll†get to go. Does he mean “we†in the “necessary company personnel†sense or “we†in the “me, my five wives, and my umpteen children†sense? Because that would take some doing. I hope we get to see how that pans out.

Josh has joined the mainstream LDS church and Brady is “proud.†  Josh explains how, even though the family has left the FLDS church, his parents still encourage him to go to church. I want to know more about the circumstances of their departure, but apparently that is not to be.

Brady tells Josh “I’m with mom tomorrow night.†That really stands out to me. Though I know these polygamist dads rotate their wives nightly, (you know what I mean, get your mind out of the gutter!) and the kids are aware of that, it is just beyond the scope of my experience having to discuss sleeping arrangement logistics with the kids. I assume Brady mentioned it so that Josh would know when he could have a private conversation with his parents. Josh walks away—I guess to go over what he’s going to say in tomorrow’s conference.

In the morning, there are a couple of brief scenes of crowded bathrooms and one kid running in the snow with pajamas and no shoes on. Can’t imagine what that’s about.

Nonie talks to Brady about the company Christmas party. Brady doesn’t want to be involved because he’s too busy. Nonie seems put out. On the one hand, it’s kind of sad that Nonie doesn’t get the time she wants with her husband. On the other, she’s the office manager and I think most office managers would do the leg work alone.

Paulie and Brady video chat with their oldest daughter, Karlie, who is married and lives some distance away. Nonie comes up from behind to see. From my monogamous point of view I feel like she was being a little bit intrusive, but I don’t think feelings like that are allowed in a plural marriage.

Karlie mentions that she “can’t wait to go home and have people to talk to.†I can see how being raised among a boatload of babies would make you used to constant action. A quiet newlywed apartment could seem boring I guess.

In this scene I’m also noticing that the Williams’ furniture is kind of beat up. And this raises my opinion of them greatly because it looks like they are budgeting wisely, not splurging , and making sacrifices for the sake of the family. (I have made a vow to myself not to be mean spirited so I won’t mention what we’re all thinking.)

The adults talk about being “empty nesters.†They say they won’t like it, so it’s a good thing it won’t be happening any time soon. Rosemary says she’ll be upset. Nonie says it’ll be nice because they can relax and go to the beach. Glad to see she’s thinking ahead. The ladies laugh when Brady mentions them “rocking 60-year-old bikinis,†except Paulie who always looks soooo profoundly sad—like beyond tears sad. I’m starting to worry about her.

Paulie’s second daughter, Madeline has gotten a college scholarship. Again, I’m impressed by this family’s fiscal responsibility.

It snows overnight and Brady has a lot of cars to shovel out in the freezing cold. (But those mountains in the background are breathtaking.) See Nonie? Brady is really, really busy, all the freaking time. Maybe the other wives can help you with the party?

Rhonda says everyone’s been really busy so no one can help Nonie with the party. Oh.

Josh is at work with Brady and Brady talks about what a great son and worker he is. Very nice. Josh seems like a very earnest young man.

Nonie waits breathlessly at the party venue for Brady to join her. I think we can all see where this is going—all of us except Nonie who calls her husband to find out where the hell he is. He appears to have forgotten there’s even going to be a Christmas party. Nonie says she’ll look at the venue herself, passive aggressively adding that she will “do the best she can.†I don’t know about the Williams house, but in my house that means “do not even think about blaming me if there’s anything—anything at all—you don’t like about this party.â€

Our mood switches from bitter to bittersweet as Josh tells his parents that he wants to take a gap year in Africa. He will stay with his Uncle Seth, his dad’s “first brother from his dad’s other mother.†I’m gonna need to see a written family tree to keep this straight. Paulie asks if he realizes how far away Africa is and Josh responds “yeah…..a couple of miles.†I’m pretty sure this is just lackadaisical teenage attitude speaking, but I’m still glad this kid is going to see a bit of the world. And he’s worked enough to pay his own way. Good kid. Paulie’s pain is palpable but I have to give her props; she concedes that the trip will be good for her son.

There’s a happy Christmas decorating scene. The family talks about how much they love the holiday, the kids, the excitement. A sampling of the kids talk about Christmas and why they like it.

Brady and Nonie are propped up on the bed. Brady is exhausted so Nonie stops herself from whining about his earlier no-show because “sometimes in plural marriage you have to let things go.†Ya think? Brady rewards her by telling us “she’s awesome.â€

Brady takes some of the boys for haircuts. No one is wearing a winter coat and a couple of them are wearing shorts and t- shirts. My motherly instinct wants to yell through the screen to bundle up. But I digress.

Brady allows his boys to choose their own hairstyle. I’m happy to see him let the kids make their own choices. Also, I would not have the gumption to fight over hair with 24 kids.

Paulie looks anxious when Josh comes to her to talk about Africa. I think it’s nice that he’s trying to put his mother at ease. She tells him she wants him to have a good time, but her face says “I am terrified of you traveling to another continent by yourself!†She tells herself she has to let the kids grow up, but she doesn’t seem to be convincing herself. She is touched when Josh tells her he is proud of her.

Karlie’s on her way home and Brady says it’s hard on him when the kids leave home. Not as hard as it is on Paulie, dude. Paulie and Brady both mention that at first they didn’t like their daughter’s husband. While I appreciate their candor I always wonder if the people on these reality shows hold grudges when someone says something like that. I would.

Karlie doesn’t want to do polygamy because “it’s really hard. I look at my moms and I don’t know how they can do that.†You and most of America, sweetie.

Robyn says she would support a daughter married into polygamy, but would hope that “she would have her eyes wide open.†Robyn seems near tears at this point. Rhonda nods her head in agreement because she’s “seen a lot of polygamist situations where they are really not happy.†Um, yeah, I bet you have.

Brady expounds on polygamy and symmetry and how polygamy can be beautiful while the wives mope around him. I would tell him to pay attention to his own family, but really, he’s too freaking busy for that.

Paulie talks to her daughter about college. Again, she seems anxious—frightened of what her daughter might say. And she’s inexplicably surprised about Madeline’s plans to move out when she goes to college. And now I’m really sad because Paulie is almost begging her daughter to come home after college and “hang out with me.â€

Later, Paulie laments her children growing to adulthood. “It’s almost like they don’t need me.â€Â  Aww Paulie, I feel ya. I’ve got kids, one in college, but this is what happens if you do your job right. I feel like maybe she needs a life coach, or career counseling, or something. Also if she loves raising kids, she’s got a gajillion of them at home to help with.

Brady and Josh sit around a fire discussing Josh’s future. I have to applaud these people; they really embrace the cold weather. I also have to applaud Brady when he says he is sincerely happy for and envious of his son for getting to experience a little bit of life. When Josh gets back, Brady wants him to be a manager in the construction business. Then Brady has to leave because he’s freaking exhausted.

It’s time for the Christmas party!!! All the wives work together to decorate the space—yay for camaraderie! It’s a bit modest and sedate for my taste, but still, it seems budget friendly and I can’t find fault with that.

Nonie describes the “kissing ball†which I guess is just a big blob of mistletoe. The guests arrive! Paulie says she thinks the company Christmas parties are fun, but she doesn’t look like she’s having much fun. There seem to be a lot of empty tables. What’s up with that?

Brady welcomes everyone and thanks Nonie. Everyone breathes a sigh of relief that perhaps that will pacify her.

Everyone is invited to get a picture under the kissing ball. There’s a professional photographer, which seems kind of expensive and unnecessary to me, but it’s not my party.

Now Brady wants his wives to come with him to the kissing ball. My first reaction is nooooooooooo! I don’t want to see him kiss wife after wife after wife after wife after wife while being professionally photographed. Call me a prude, but I just don’t.

Rosemary says it’s uncomfortable because other people are watching. Other people are married to her husband, but this is what’s uncomfortable. Okey doke.

Brady takes a kissy photo with each wife and then the obligatory “me and my five wives all together shot.

This is a new series, but so far it looks to me like these people are doing a pretty good job with the kids. Though the wives alternate between weepy and whiney, the kids appear to be well adjusted. I suppose time will tell. For now, let’s wrap up and let Brady get some sleep.

Hi, all, happy to be joining you as a recapper. Let’s begin, shall we?

The family is gathered together saying a prayer for a happy Christmas season. That’s a lovely sentiment but it seems to be getting sort of unwieldy using the “repeat after me†method. One overly long sentence and the whole thing devolves into a crowd mumbling “blah, blah, blah…..â€

Brady talks about the “balancing act†that is his life. No kidding, honey. He’s also looking forward to “slowing down this holiday season†but I just don’t see how that can possibly happen. Dude, you’ve got five wives and 24!!!! kids. You won’t be “slowing down†any time soon.

We learn that oldest son Josh works at his father’s construction company. We also learn that Brady is bidding on a project in Hawaii and if he gets it “we’ll†get to go. Does he mean “we†in the “necessary company personnel†sense or “we†in the “me, my five wives, and my umpteen children†sense? Because that would take some doing. I hope we get to see how that pans out.

Josh has joined the mainstream LDS church and Brady is “proud.†  Josh explains how, even though the family has left the FLDS church, his parents still encourage him to go to church. I want to know more about the circumstances of their departure, but apparently that is not to be.

Brady tells Josh “I’m with mom tomorrow night.†That really stands out to me. Though I know these polygamist dads rotate their wives nightly, (you know what I mean, get your mind out of the gutter!) and the kids are aware of that, it is just beyond the scope of my experience having to discuss sleeping arrangement logistics with the kids. I assume Brady mentioned it so that Josh would know when he could have a private conversation with his parents. Josh walks away—I guess to go over what he’s going to say in tomorrow’s conference.

In the morning, there are a couple of brief scenes of crowded bathrooms and one kid running in the snow with pajamas and no shoes on. Can’t imagine what that’s about.

Nonie talks to Brady about the company Christmas party. Brady doesn’t want to be involved because he’s too busy. Nonie seems put out. On the one hand, it’s kind of sad that Nonie doesn’t get the time she wants with her husband. On the other, she’s the office manager and I think most office managers would do the leg work alone.

Paulie and Brady video chat with their oldest daughter, Karlie, who is married and lives some distance away. Nonie comes up from behind to see. From my monogamous point of view I feel like she was being a little bit intrusive, but I don’t think feelings like that are allowed in a plural marriage.

Karlie mentions that she “can’t wait to go home and have people to talk to.†I can see how being raised among a boatload of babies would make you used to constant action. A quiet newlywed apartment could seem boring I guess.

In this scene I’m also noticing that the Williams’ furniture is kind of beat up. And this raises my opinion of them greatly because it looks like they are budgeting wisely, not splurging , and making sacrifices for the sake of the family. (I have made a vow to myself not to be mean spirited so I won’t mention what we’re all thinking.)

The adults talk about being “empty nesters.†They say they won’t like it, so it’s a good thing it won’t be happening any time soon. Rosemary says she’ll be upset. Nonie says it’ll be nice because they can relax and go to the beach. Glad to see she’s thinking ahead. The ladies laugh when Brady mentions them “rocking 60-year-old bikinis,†except Paulie who always looks soooo profoundly sad—like beyond tears sad. I’m starting to worry about her.

Paulie’s second daughter, Madeline has gotten a college scholarship. Again, I’m impressed by this family’s fiscal responsibility.

It snows overnight and Brady has a lot of cars to shovel out in the freezing cold. (But those mountains in the background are breathtaking.) See Nonie? Brady is really, really busy, all the freaking time. Maybe the other wives can help you with the party?

Rhonda says everyone’s been really busy so no one can help Nonie with the party. Oh.

Josh is at work with Brady and Brady talks about what a great son and worker he is. Very nice. Josh seems like a very earnest young man.

Nonie waits breathlessly at the party venue for Brady to join her. I think we can all see where this is going—all of us except Nonie who calls her husband to find out where the hell he is. He appears to have forgotten there’s even going to be a Christmas party. Nonie says she’ll look at the venue herself, passive aggressively adding that she will “do the best she can.†I don’t know about the Williams house, but in my house that means “do not even think about blaming me if there’s anything—anything at all—you don’t like about this party.â€

Our mood switches from bitter to bittersweet as Josh tells his parents that he wants to take a gap year in Africa. He will stay with his Uncle Seth, his dad’s “first brother from his dad’s other mother.†I’m gonna need to see a written family tree to keep this straight. Paulie asks if he realizes how far away Africa is and Josh responds “yeah…..a couple of miles.†I’m pretty sure this is just lackadaisical teenage attitude speaking, but I’m still glad this kid is going to see a bit of the world. And he’s worked enough to pay his own way. Good kid. Paulie’s pain is palpable but I have to give her props; she concedes that the trip will be good for her son.

There’s a happy Christmas decorating scene. The family talks about how much they love the holiday, the kids, the excitement. A sampling of the kids talk about Christmas and why they like it.

Brady and Nonie are propped up on the bed. Brady is exhausted so Nonie stops herself from whining about his earlier no-show because “sometimes in plural marriage you have to let things go.†Ya think? Brady rewards her by telling us “she’s awesome.â€

Brady takes some of the boys for haircuts. No one is wearing a winter coat and a couple of them are wearing shorts and t- shirts. My motherly instinct wants to yell through the screen to bundle up. But I digress.

Brady allows his boys to choose their own hairstyle. I’m happy to see him let the kids make their own choices. Also, I would not have the gumption to fight over hair with 24 kids.

Paulie looks anxious when Josh comes to her to talk about Africa. I think it’s nice that he’s trying to put his mother at ease. She tells him she wants him to have a good time, but her face says “I am terrified of you traveling to another continent by yourself!†She tells herself she has to let the kids grow up, but she doesn’t seem to be convincing herself. She is touched when Josh tells her he is proud of her.

Karlie’s on her way home and Brady says it’s hard on him when the kids leave home. Not as hard as it is on Paulie, dude. Paulie and Brady both mention that at first they didn’t like their daughter’s husband. While I appreciate their candor I always wonder if the people on these reality shows hold grudges when someone says something like that. I would.

Karlie doesn’t want to do polygamy because “it’s really hard. I look at my moms and I don’t know how they can do that.†You and most of America, sweetie.

Robyn says she would support a daughter married into polygamy, but would hope that “she would have her eyes wide open.†Robyn seems near tears at this point. Rhonda nods her head in agreement because she’s “seen a lot of polygamist situations where they are really not happy.†Um, yeah, I bet you have.

Brady expounds on polygamy and symmetry and how polygamy can be beautiful while the wives mope around him. I would tell him to pay attention to his own family, but really, he’s too freaking busy for that.

Paulie talks to her daughter about college. Again, she seems anxious—frightened of what her daughter might say. And she’s inexplicably surprised about Madeline’s plans to move out when she goes to college. And now I’m really sad because Paulie is almost begging her daughter to come home after college and “hang out with me.â€

Later, Paulie laments her children growing to adulthood. “It’s almost like they don’t need me.â€Â  Aww Paulie, I feel ya. I’ve got kids, one in college, but this is what happens if you do your job right. I feel like maybe she needs a life coach, or career counseling, or something. Also if she loves raising kids, she’s got a gajillion of them at home to help with.

Brady and Josh sit around a fire discussing Josh’s future. I have to applaud these people; they really embrace the cold weather. I also have to applaud Brady when he says he is sincerely happy for and envious of his son for getting to experience a little bit of life. When Josh gets back, Brady wants him to be a manager in the construction business. Then Brady has to leave because he’s freaking exhausted.

It’s time for the Christmas party!!! All the wives work together to decorate the space—yay for camaraderie! It’s a bit modest and sedate for my taste, but still, it seems budget friendly and I can’t find fault with that.

Nonie describes the “kissing ball†which I guess is just a big blob of mistletoe. The guests arrive! Paulie says she thinks the company Christmas parties are fun, but she doesn’t look like she’s having much fun. There seem to be a lot of empty tables. What’s up with that?

Brady welcomes everyone and thanks Nonie. Everyone breathes a sigh of relief that perhaps that will pacify her.

Everyone is invited to get a picture under the kissing ball. There’s a professional photographer, which seems kind of expensive and unnecessary to me, but it’s not my party.

Now Brady wants his wives to come with him to the kissing ball. My first reaction is nooooooooooo! I don’t want to see him kiss wife after wife after wife after wife after wife while being professionally photographed. Call me a prude, but I just don’t.

Rosemary says it’s uncomfortable because other people are watching. Other people are married to her husband, but this is what’s uncomfortable. Okey doke.

Brady takes a kissy photo with each wife and then the obligatory “me and my five wives all together shot.

This is a new series, but so far it looks to me like these people are doing a pretty good job with the kids. Though the wives alternate between weepy and whiney, the kids appear to be well adjusted. I suppose time will tell. For now, let’s wrap up and let Brady get some sleep.