Honor Choir Overload

Maria is in honor choir. She has the voice of an angel and I'm so proud that she took it on to learn new songs and give up recess in the process.

1st stop was the performance at the art museum. It was also 2nd Saturday so the kids got to do some great print making cards, chalk drawings, and NV shaped clay ornaments.

Jerry was incredible. He talked to me like we had been lifelong friends. I wish I could be that type of person to just instantly bond with people. 

The "elf" was super creepy. She was staring directly at me the entire time and I know it's just because I was in her path of vision as a live model, but still. Completely weirded me out.

This cider!!! And the cup!!! I promise it's the little things in life. Plus candy canes, we were in Christmas heaven!!

During the performance Eli squashed his middle finger. 

Needless to say, the performance was way too long. 45 minutes. And that was only the first!!!

I took the kids to Yaya Sofia's, God bless her soul, and they skipped out on performance number two.

Hooray for eggo waffles for lunch!!!

Performance #2 was at Shoppers square. How is that place still up and running? I have no clue.

I did see a naked woman with a wolf dream catcher that I might buy Jody for Christmas though.

After grabbing everyone for the 3rd performance, we headed to Rancho San Rafael's Gingerbread Festival. It really is rather cool, just too many people.

A gingerbread pagoda!!!

Their faces sum up the 3rd performance.

We couldn't handle it, so we went to the museum. It was just taking way too long. And they started 30 minutes late.

Hunting at the Wilbur D. May museum. Again, why people would shoot things is beyond me.

It has been super cold!!! But we still headed over to the dinosaur park.

After a whooooooooooooooole day of "togetherness", Maria headed over her Bookhugger club's party and me and the kids did the ward party scene.

All I will say is say no to ham. Always.

Christmas Festivities

Christmas Candles.....so sweet. It turned out beautiful!!! She is so focused!!!

His little details make me happy, like one circle around one eye.

This year Christina and Maria got new glitter stockings. I also went through my decorations and only kept the ones I really loved. Most were from my mom or ones the kids made. And of course, one must keep the nutcrackers Yaya Sofia gives you.

The first snow of the season

We woke up to snow.

A bit meager.

But still snow.

Hometown Parade- We love Grocery Outlet!!

Our friends who own 2 local Grocery Outlet stores invited us to walk with them for the local parade. It was such a long wait!!! But worth it!!

I was so proud of everyone. They did a great job handing out items to the crowd (who were so ghetto.... seriously. No manners)

At first Eli wanted to just keep his stuff, but by the end he had found the joy in giving and was giving every last thing that he had received. I loved watching him (not intentionally) pelt people with candy. It was magic.

I can't believe how rude people were. Merry Christmas folks. Merry Christmas.

So grateful for our friends though and the opportunity to help them out. They always throw parties and the girls love to go to their house. Sara is really wonderful and we have a lot in common too.

Getting in the Christmas spirit!!!

Home Depot Gingerbread Houses

Keyonna's Baby Shower

Alicia made a good point. Why try taking a nice picture. We never end up happy with them and voila. Best picture of us ever.

I must say, I have good friends. Everyone is so wonderful. I must have had 10 calls of people calling to see what they could do to help. In the end, I was just like come and party.

And so we did. Until 10:30 PM. Awesome.

I love Keyonna. We met when Joe died. She was so kind and came over to offer her condolences. She had a baby boy who was just born and his name was Joe too but they called him by his middle name instead. I told her my baby was cuter than hers. In the end our girls ended up best friends. She is a gem of a person and I love her so much. I know I could turn to her for anything and she is just the most thoughtful person you could meet. It's been a "year" for her, with her decision to leave her faith and this surprise blessing of a baby. Her husband has had numerous biking accidents as well as one other accident for another daughter. But she's weathered it all because she is a rock.

All our kids love each other.

Glad I got one more cake at the last minute. I seriously would be mortified if people felt like there wasn't enough food. Fortunately, we had leftovers to send home with people!

This was a joke picture. "Selfies" gone bad.

Keyonna and her lovely ladies.

It was a wonderful night. Everyone was very generous but it's because Keyonna is such a generous person. She is always there for people and I just hope she knows how much she is loved.

Annual Sunday Cake Wars

Whip Cream Dream vs. Galaxy Cake

Christina's cake won! Pictured below.

Both were yummy, but her frosting was a bit more solid.

Saturdays are a special day....

I love Saturdays. I love doing things with the kiddos.

We built huge towers at the library that very loudly crashed. Fortunately, the librarians were just happy the toys were being used.

Poor Maria. It crashed before I could get a pic.

I read a very interesting book on Pablo Picasso. These were all his "loves"/wives.

I thought Eli did a spectacular job on his.

Next up was a craft show at the Nugget. My mom used to take me to these types of things all the time. I remember one time she bought me blue earrings that were made out of hardened bread. I thought they were the coolest thing ever. She also loved to buy wreaths and birdhouses made out of barnyard doors. At one point she was redecorating her bedroom and let me help her choose the things to put in it. Ah, the 80's and the color peach.

Santa was a bit creeper. He kept insisting I get in the picture. I'm good man. I'm good.

Really should have bought these for my dad.

Hooray for not getting shot by Trump supporters!!!!!!!!!!!!!!