Oh Come All Ye Faithful

Hi! My five faithful readers were probably wondering where I'd gone. Sorry about that. A bunch of different reasons, but the biggest one being that I can't load pictures on this computer. It's a real bummer. I debated whether to just start with today or to try to catch you all up on the happ'nins. Forgive me, I settled on the latter, but I did try to use clever headings! Read it in installments if you need to. I'll understand.

Later We'll Have Some Pumpkin Pie
Thanksgiving was fun. It's one of my favorite holidays. Mom and Dad teach adult ESL (English as a Second Language), and they invited over two families who are their students to join us. One couple was from Brazil (near Recife, which we learned is pronounced he-cee-fay), and the other family, a mother and her two sons, from Venezuela. Mom and Dad left to go pick them up and left their adult children in charge of three key processes of Thanksgiving - Gravy making, potato mashing and turkey carving. I was panicked, but everyone did a great job. It was fun sharing our American Thanksgiving traditions and foods with our new friends, and helping them to feel less alone during the holidays. I do think they were a bit disappointed that we didn’t have apple pie. We are a coconut cream and pumpkin pie bunch at Thanksgiving.

It's Beginning to Look at Lot Like Christmas
We went to see the lights at Temple Square the next day, and the weather was perfect! We bundled the kids up in the Chariot and they enjoyed strolling around choosing their favorite color of tree. We cruised downtown to the Galavan Center to watch the ice-skating going on. They were very sympathetic to the new skaters who wobbled around on the ice and took an occasional tumble. "Did dat guy fall? Did he bonk his head?" They wanted to try it out, but I can’t skate at all. The past few days the kids have been skating every day – they strap on their “skates” (socks), and skate back and forth from the kitchen to the front room, holding hands. It’s fun. I should strap sponges to their feet and let them mop the floor for me!

Oh Christmas Tree
We usually drive up to the mountains where Josh’s aunt’s family let us cut down our own Christmas tree. This year we didn’t want to make the long drive, so we have been debating whether or not to make the switch to artificial this year. We had been tossing around several economical ideas including making one ourselves (it was complicated, and involved hula hoops), getting a tiny tabletop tree, or seeing what we could buy for $20. I went to DI two Saturdays ago hunting for treasures and found a 6’, pre-lit, box included Christmas Tree all fluffed up and waiting for me for the bargain price of $10. Ten minutes later, the nice DI man helped me load it into my car to take home and set up before the kids woke up from their naps! It may sound lame, but it truly felt like a Christmas miracle! I’m so grateful for our beautiful Christmas tree!

Deck the Halls Boughs of Holly
Also having to do with Christmas decor, last night we hit DI and found a front door wreath that just needed some decoration. I couldn't resist taking it home and pulling it apart to see what I could make of it. The only problem is that I'm not crafty or creative in THAT way. I went to Roberts crafts to get some ribbon for it after the kids went to bed (my kids + craft store = bulls in a china shop). I stood in front of the 60% off ribbon, and stood there and stood there and stood there trying to decide. Good grief! Crafting is hard work. Now I know why it's not my hobby! I ended up buying three types of ribbon because I couldn't make up my mind, and because the store was closing.

Do you Hear What I Hear?
A few weeks ago Josh and I were called into the Stake offices to visit with them. The only thing we could think of is that they were calling us to be Ma and Pa for Trek this summer, since I seem to be the only young mother in the ward who isn't expecting! Bracing myself with sweaty palms, I started daydreaming about what color calico to make my skirt, when Josh got called to serve as a councilor in the Stake YM presidency. He was released from the Bishopric, and although he’s sad to leave his current calling, I’m elated that he gets to sit with us at church and help me out “on the bench”. Is that bad?

Away in a Manger
Cath gave birth a month early to a baby boy (Tate). I felt bad that I was texting her with insigificant questions like, “Whose name did you draw last year for the gift exchange” before I realized that she was getting admitted to the hospital! Sorry about that, Cath. He's still in the hospital for a few more days to pack on some pounds, but we're excited fot this EARLY Christmas gift!

Have Yourself a Merry Little (Youtube) Christmas
I’ve discovered all of my childhood Christmas favorites are available on Youtube: Muppet Family Christmas, Mickey’s Christmas Carol, Pluto’s Christmas Tree, Donald’s Snow Fight. Many fond memories of childhood Christmases are wrapped up in these fun films. We watched them religiously every holiday season, and when we "outgrew" them, we STILL watched them. That's how wonderful they are.




Twas the Night Before Christmas...
We have been reading several Christmas books this season. This year’s favorites appear to be Christmas Oranges, The Sweet Smell of Christmas, The Polar Express (pronounced The Polga Express), Mickey’s Christmas Carol, and The Nutcracker pop-up book. Boo having read a part in a story where mother goes to the kitchen for a jar of candy canes to trim the tree, excitedly ran into the kitchen and said, “Mom! We need some Candy Lands on the tree like the story. We can get some Candy Lands at the store!”

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
Yaks woke up early and crawled in bed with me to finish waking up. I was stroking his soft cheek with my hand and he grabbed it and proceeded to lift my fingers one at a time. One, two, three, four. When four fingers were up, he said (referring to my fingers), “Das kinda like hot dogs!”