Random December Happenings

We have had such a mild winter here in Utah this year that it hardly seems like winter at all.  We took advantage of the unseasonably warm weather (cause we all know I HATE being cold and in snow) and went up to see the lights at Temple Square.  We haven't been since Asher was still in a stroller (ya me and the hating snow thing . . . pretty sad huh?) We drove to the Sugarhouse (?) stop on TRAX, parked there and rode into downtown and got off at Temple Square. It was pretty awesome!  It was so beautiful on Temple Square.  The Nativity was gorgeous.  We decided to go into the visitor's center and see the Christus.  We also went with some sister missionaries into a little movie presentation that they show in several rooms about the plan of salvation.  It was really touching even for the kids. I got really teary when we got to the part about loved ones who have passed on. I bore my testimony to the kids and the other people there about how much I love that I will get to be with my many loved ones who have passed on in the next life.  

I know this was just taken with my phone and it is a little blury but it is precious to me.  These three are my reason for existing.  

Hannah is reading out loud to the dogs.  I am sure they have lots to say about the story,  if only we could understand snorts and whines.

I know he's just a dumb dog but I think it is kinda cute when his tounge is sticking out like that.

As a 5th grader Hannah has had the opportunity this year to join the school band.  She has really enjoyed learning the flute.  I can even tell what she is playing now! It was fun to see her in her very first Christmas Band concert.

JJ wanted to take guitar as one of his electives in 7th grade so we borrowed Carter's guitar for the semester.  Little did we know what a pain in the butt it would end up being.  JJ hated the class because it was chaos ALL the time and the did very little learning.  He wouldn't practice and because he forgot the combo to the lock on his assigned instrument locker he left the guitar sitting outside the locker where it got broken right before the Christmas concert.  We were able to get it repaired in time for the concert but it was an expense we were not planning on. We were also mortified that it happend with a borrowed guitar.  The repair is barely noticeable and we know it is there.  

I was asked by the relief society president to put together the decorations for the ward Christmas party.  I had very little budget but I did the best I could with what I could scrounge up.  I set up the backdrop for pictures with Santa too.  I had a friend take the photo below.  It turned out really cute of all of us I think.  

Hannah and I saw this craft on pinterest when we were looking up the best way to make paper snowflakes.  Hannah had a blast making ballerinas out of paper with snowflake skirts.

Lance and I attend the Utah County Employee Holiday dinner.  It was what it usually is . . . political blowhards patting themselves on the back for stuff they actually didn't do. But heck it was a nice free dinner.

This is Lance helping me with one of my pintrosity ideas for the decorations for the Christmas party.  The didn't look like what I had hoped they would but we had to use them anyway.

I had to snap this picture quick and with out them noticing.  They are like oil and water most of the time but this moment JJ let her lean on him while watching him play a game.  It may seem insignificant to most people but to me it is a moment to remember.

One of our Christmas traditions is to get out a few of our favorite advent calendars.  This year we put up the barest minimum of decorations - we didn't even decorate the tree.  Our decorations were packed away behind tons of stuff while Lance was finishing the basement enough for us to get carpet layed and a fireplace installed.  I am grateful that we are getting that done but it was a bit of a bummer for the kids.  Still they loved the advent calendars and I still got them each a new ornament too.

This is Hannah's friend Connor.  He has liked her pretty much since kindergarten.  He's a sweet young man.  He decided he wanted give Hannah what she was asking Santa for . . . the newest Super Mario Wii U game.  So unbeknownst to us he worked and saved money enough to buy it.  He gave it to her at school right before Christmas break.  I happened to be subbing as recess lady that day when he came up to me and told me that he had given it to her.  I was SHOCKED.  I really didn't know what to say or how to react because that is an expensive game and not something I would have encouraged her (or even allowed her) to do for a friend gift.  I could see that it was very heartfelt after talking to Connor and later to his mom.  So we allowed her to keep the gift.  She invited Connor to come and hang out one evening. We made Christmas trees out of sugar cones and frosting and played lots of games.  For her gift to Connor I explained that we would not be able to buy him something of equal cost but that she could make him a gift that would be meaningful.  She made him a personalized mug and filled it with goodies.  She wrote him a sweet letter to go with it.  

One of the fun things that happened this year was that some one did the 12 days of Christmas for us.  The kids really looked forward every night to see what our secret friends would leave.  The little notes were always funny and cute and the items they brought were always useful.  We loved it and appreciated it so much.

 We continued our tradition of attending the Festival of Lights even though there was no snow.  This the time we really remember my mom and talk about how much we miss her.  We always took her with us when we went years past so it is a special memory for each of us.

 After we got the carpet installed we were able to get the used couches (we had gotten them for free about 5 years ago) out of storage in Jake and Carolyn's basement.  Lo and behold the largest on wouldn't make the turn down into the basement no matter what we tried.  The Zeller boys helped Jake and Lance try to make it work but we finally had cut part of the new wall to be able to get it into the family room and out of the laundry room.  That couch will not go out of this house again in one piece.  I am grateful that we have free furniture but they are a bit more dirty and worn than I had realized. Oh well guess it is time to look into slip covers. At least we lots of seating so no more fighting over seats to watch a movie (hopefully?!).

 For a gift for the Madigan cousins we decided to try our hand at personalizing mugs.  I think they turned out cute.  Not sure what the cousins thought though.

 Mom and boys date to JCW's.  Best hamburgers and shakes in the West!