This was a week of Christmas activities and I feel like we are in the thick of it now.  Our house seems quiet and a little lonely without Daniel's family as we dived back into a week of school, work, cleaning up and reality.  Luckily our nights were full to keep us full of the holiday spirit and make us grateful for those nights when we got to stay home!

Monday night was our annual neighborhood lighting parade.  We meet up at the top of the cauldesac with some of our neighbors and walk up and down the street turning on our holiday lights and then we hang out with some cookies and hot chocolate.  We have a prayer and our elderly neighbor says a few words.  Its just a fun excuse to visit and kick-off the season.

Tuesday night we worked on mundane things like groceries and laundry and paperwork and homework.  I love nights like those, especially when I happen to buy some caramels from Costco and all the kids happily decide they really need to go to bed early to fight off some colds.

Wednesday, Allison had to miss her field trip to Festival of Trees so that she could come home and crawl into bed for the day.  She discovered Dayquil and Nyquil and felt better after a bunch of sleep.  It actually worked out OK logistics wise as I had been going into work late that morning as I had to meet with Spencer and his counselor so I was able to get her home and settled before going into work that day.  Allison popped a bunch of cough drops that night though and soldiered through a mandatory theater rehearsal and her choir concert.  The concert was super fun and brought back a lot of memories of choir concerts over the years.  My favorite part is that it was short, fun songs and the kids were having a great time on stage.


Thursday night was our ward party.  Jeremy was the photographer for Santa at the end when kids lined up for visits and adults cleaned up the gym.  Spencer had headed home to catch up on homework so no pictures of him and Santa this year.


Friday night while Jeremy volunteered to stay home with Taylor, the pizza and a remote the rest of us headed up to the Alpine live Nativity.  A huge group of people put this event on every year to raise money in memory of a woman/friend who died.  They take us up into the mountains in horse trailers and we walk through a walk to Bethlehem, petting camels and donkeys, visiting with shepherds, wise men and soldiers and seeing baby Jesus in the barn and then walking back with some hot chocolate.  Always cold, packed and amazing.


Saturday, Spencer and I both got to have our hair done - it was way past time for both of us.  I still do a double take when I see Spencer with a short crew cut, all spiked up.  We have had such warm afternoons I even got to spend a few hours mowing the lawn to get up all the leaves - so much easier than raking.  We didn't even wear coats today to go to church.  Its hard to believe it is December but I will enjoy it for as long as it lasts.

Saturday night while Jeremy graciously took on solo parenting, I went for my annual girl's shopping day.  No shopping was done but we did spend 5 hours at dinner in Olive Garden.  I am sure our waitress was thrilled with us.  We had a great time catching up and as always I am amazed at the strength of the women I know.  What they graciously deal with in their lives and face with humor and persistence is amazing.  I had a great time.

Robyn spent her Sunday morning productively as she didn't stay up late watching movies with everyone else.  She has been busy trying to re-create scenes for her dolls.  You can have a lot of fun with cardboard and tape.