December

December was a crazy month. I tried very hard to get a lot of my shopping done early, give neighbor gifts early and to overall alleviate the stresses of December. Even though I was able to get some stuff done in November it seemed like the list of things to do never ended. There was always something I was needing to do. I love December and I love Christmas time but I do not love the stress that comes with it. Next year (like I say every year) I am going to do everything early; I am serious this time. Well, since December was so crazy I obviously didn't blog, but what are you going to do? So this is a recap of our December; the cliff notes version if you will...

We went out and bought our Christmas tree. We still get a fresh tree, or a semi fresh one at least. We put it up and it looked so pretty. Then Isabelle and Lillian began to attack. More Isabelle than Lillian. Ornaments were broken, some were glued back together, it was a little bit of a mess. Finally all the breakable ornaments moved to the top of the tree. It really was a beautiful tree and how pathetic am I, I didn't even take a picture. I guess that is a testament to how crazy things were.

Lillian had a dance recital at a retirement home. She was supposed to wear her pajamas (which she eventually did) but she wanted to wear this little slip she has. Mind you it is December in Logan and it is super cold but she wants to wear a sleeveless slip. It was a long time before we convinced her to put on her PJ's but she finally did. The recital was very chaotic and hilarious and none of the pictures I took turned out. Sorry Lillian no pictures.

We also did a Sub for Santa this year. We did it last year and it was such a good experience for our family we decided to do it again this year. This year we did it for two little girls that were about Lillian and Isabelle's age. I definitely had an impact on me and I hope it had an impact on the girls, I think it did. In all of the hubbub of Christmas it was important to realize how blessed we are to have all we do. When we were shopping Lillian was picking out clothes for the girls and finding things they would like. I was so amazed to see how giving a little child could be. That was a lesson she taught me and I realized I should be more ready and willing to give and not just at Christmas time.

We had a great ward party, a piano recital (good job to all my piano students!), a delicious work party (thanks to the Coppermill and their divine stuffed mushrooms. I seriously need the recipe Courtney). Lillian learned Christmas carols, we made Christmas treats, drank hot cocoa, and we went Christmas shopping. Lillian informed me she is so tired of going to stores. I think that is part of Kevin coming out in her because it definitely isn't me. It was a very fun December. One of my favorite parts was at least twice a week we would sit down as a family and watch a Christmas movie. I love watching the old movies I used to watch as a kid like, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, a Mickey Christmas Carol, White Christmas, and Frosty. It was like reliving part of my childhood. It was so fun to share it with my kids. I love Christmas.

Here is a copy of our Christmas card that I designed with a little help from Kevin.