Dec 25 - 31

Monday, December 25 - Merry Christmas! Today was full of traditions, family, and fun! We had our family Christmas in the basement this year and we really liked that. After everyone was spoiled, we went to breakfast at the Howard's and opened more gifts. Then, we headed over to the Pearson's. Gifts again and dinner. Christmas really is so wonderful! I love the time spent with our family.

Tuesday, December 26 - We got tickets to Christmas in Color and took the kids tonight. It is so fun! They do such a good job and all of the lights are synchronized to music. The kids had fun standing on the console and sticking their heads out the sunroof. :) Sidenote: On the way to Christmas in Color, we saw and emergency in progress on 13400 S. 5000 W. so we stopped. A teenager got hit by a car so we stopped to help. He was okay but his leg was definitely broken. We found out later that he was playing a game of real life Frogger and lost. How dumb is that?!?

Wednesday, December 27 - Ricki has been asking for me to paint her nails so we finally sat down and did that today.

Thursday, December 28 - We always go to a nice lunch/dinner between Christmas and New Year's. We decided to go to Olive Garden and invited the McCullough's to join us. It was nice because they had several menu options that work with my health plan. Afterward, we made a few stops. One was at Hobby Lobby and we picked up this awesome ceramic tree 65% off! It's so nostalgic for me.

Friday, December 29 - I worked this morning on a photo shoot with Liz and made bank! 🤑 Simon had Ryan and Ashley's kids for a few hours while they were busy. Ricki slept over at Jenni's house last night so we were all just doing our thing and hanging out.

Saturday, December 30 - We started our fun but busy day out at dad's birthday breakfast at Golden Corral. TRADITIONS! Then, we headed to Zack's indoor soccer game. Unfortunately, we lost 1-6 but that one point was made by Zack so that was fun! Later, we went to Ninja Kids to play with our Florida cousins. They are in town for a week with Katie's mom so we got to see them for a couple of days. It was such a busy fun day!

Sunday, December 31 - As usual, we spent New Year's Eve at my parent's house. We ate a mix of dinner and snacks then made Bratzeli's. I'm glad that we kept the Bratzeli tradition going even though Grandma Howard isn't with us anymore. When those were done, we played a big game of Ticket to Ride. We are really having fun with our new game! Happy New Year!

Dec 18 - 24

 

Monday, December 18 - I have been spending these past few days "putting out fires" and just getting done what has to be done. I finally got some things finished for Ricki's class Christmas party. How cute is this Grinch themed stuff? I'm getting excited for the party!

Tuesday, December 19 - We went to our annual friends Christmas lunch. Always at Cafe Rio with these girls! We exchanged gifts and visited for a couple of hours. I love our lunches together!

Wednesday, December 20 - We had a busy day! We started out extra early at Simon's vasectomy appointment. No more babies for us! :) Then, I met Ricki at the school for the Leader of the Month lunch. It's such an honor when the kids get these awards. I had about two hours then had to be back to the school for the class party. It was an enormous hit! It turned out so cute and the kids had fun. The Grinch even visited the party! So fun!

Thursday, December 21 - I was so lucky and got a last-minute sub job today. This was the school singalong and I loved every minute of it! The kids are so happy and having so much fun. After this, we went to another classroom and watched "The Polar Express". The school day flew by (it was short day because it was the last day before winter break) and before I knew it, I was home. I was even able to get most of my wrapping done. 

Friday, December 22 - This is how I have felt all week! Getting ready for Christmas is no joke. It's getting closer but I'm feeling more and more ready each day.

Saturday, December 23 - I'm trying out new recipes from my functional medicine program. This dairy and gluten free stroganoff was really good. I had it over riced cauliflower and it was tasty! I thought this would be more difficult during Christmas but it has actually been fine.

Sunday, December 24 - Happy Christmas Eve! We went to Christmas sacrament meeting (it was only one hour church today) then I spent some time sewing pockets into our PJ pants. We had our traditional Christmas Eve prime rib at Grandma and Jim's then opened adult gifts. These traditions are just so great! When we got home, we left cookies, milk, and carrots out for Santa and his reindeer then we all went to bed so that Christmas would come faster. :)

Dec 4 - 10

 

Monday, December 4 - This is what happens when Ricki "borrows" my phone for a second. Silly girl!

Tuesday, December 5 - I had a substitute job today in Ricki's class (Mrs. Lofgren). I thought these December callbacks were super fun so I snapped a picture. Such a great idea! 

Wednesday, December 6 - Jenni, Mom, Marisa, and I went to lunch together at Cafe Rio to celebrate Jenni's birthday. As we were sitting there, Trevan walked in not knowing we were there! Love this guy! Tonight's YW activity was so fun! It was a "favorite things" party and it turned out so great. It's also so fun to get to be there with Kendra!

Friday, December 8 - Nick and I got a fun new toy. We went in together on this 3-D printer. He is having a blast figuring out the ins and outs of the printer. I'm glad he's figuring it out because I want some cookie cutters made!

Saturday, December 9 - We were privileged to see Finley in her dance performance tonight. She is so great and just comes alive on the stage! It was fun to be there, to see her dance, and to support her.

Sunday, December 10 - We celebrated Jenni & Jim's birthdays at Sunday dinner tonight. It's always a good time when we're all together!

Nov 27 - Dec 3

 

Monday, November 27 - Ouch! This hand/wrist has been so sore! The bruising and swelling are going down but still so painful. I also don't have very good range of motion in any of the fingers but I am a little worried about the middle and ring finger. I can't bend them really at all yet and I think I should be able to. Hopefully it comes back...it may just be slow.

Tuesday, November 28 - I took Simon to get an injection in his back first thing this morning. The only thing I was worried about was the kids getting out the door on their own. Viv came over to help them get ready but then had to leave about 10 minutes before they left. I went over time and time again that they had to shut the front door and lock it. My fears were confirmed when we got home and not only was the door unlocked, it was WIDE open! That was frustrating! Nick had a well-check and this was probably the last time at the pediatrician's office. :) It's funny to see a big guy at the kiddie office. He's doing great, super healthy!

Wednesday, November 29 - Right after school today, Ricki had activity days. They made these extra cute star sugar cookie trees. Then, we went to my first activity back in Young Women's. It was a prep activity to get ready to run the hot cocoa bar at the ward Christmas party in a couple of weeks. It was so fun! It's good to be back in my favorite place - Young Women's!

Thursday, November 30 - Since Thanksgiving fell so early this year, I feel like we've been ahead of schedule as far as decorating. Simon set our brand new Christmas tree up in the basement then Ricki and I put the ornaments on it. This is going to be our tree of memories with personal ornaments and the upstairs tree will be my "fancy" decorated tree.

Friday, December 1 - I started Christmas shopping online this past week and it shows! It's so fun to get packages on the porch because I almost don't remember what I ordered until I start opening them. It's like Christmas for me! :) Sorry for all of the gross wrist pics. You can obviously tell what has been on my mind the most over the past week. I finally got all of the tape off today and got a good look at the scar. It looks pretty good. I think it will heal well. Also, notice the cookies in the background. I don't know what I was thinking doing sugar cookies with my hand in this condition. Oh, the things I do.

Saturday, December 2 - I finished the cookies for the Olson's Christmas party tonight! My wrist did fine making them so I was glad I ended up doing them. Poor Zack has holes in his shoes so I finally took him to Famous Footwear today and got him some new shoes. Normally, I would make him wait until Christmas but he has actual holes in the bottom of his shoes and I can't stand for his feet to get wet. So merry early Christmas Zack!

Sunday, December 3 - The Elf on the Shelf is here! And he helped himself to a cookie. At least he's considerate and wrote a thank you note. :)