This was such a fun month. I think I had a little bit of stress and maybe grump happening before it came up because of letting myself get stressed and overwhelmed with trying to plan the advent and just all the things that need to be organized and happen in December and knowing I was going to be in AZ for part of it, etc. Coming home to having the tree up and decorated with like the best, most wonderful surprise ever. And when I started working on the advent, I had Christmas music and I really just got into the spirit of it all and it was great. I was happy about what we had planned and we did a pretty good job of getting to most of it :)
My dad made us this amazing manger. I wanted to do this as our version of a secret service during the month. Kids (or us) got to put a piece of "hay" in when we did something nice. I think it will get better as they get older but it was still a great start and I love it.
Cool crystal growing trees we did the first day. I should have taken more pictures. This would have been really cool as a timelapse because it actually did happen pretty quick and every hour or so it changed a lot!
Lots of skiing this month! So grateful and happy for a good winter and lots of snow storms. Lottie did a lot of sitting in the car with blanky and the tablet. Haha. She wore out easily.
Lottie was unfortunately not feeling well during this activity so she was out for the count. (A couple weeks later would randomly get very upset saying she didn't get to do wreath pizza's. Haha).
Harvey was playing with the blow drier I think and really loved how his hair turned out so decided he needed pics to remember how it was.
I went skiing one day and Nat and Preston met me for a few runs. Mitt happened to call on the way up the Gondola so we hung out in the lodge and got to chat with him. Super fun!
I have no idea why she is thumb's downing. She was having fun.
NOT at all the sound I wanted to hear at 5 in the morning. Oh man. This was so so gross and hard and miserable trying to clean up.
This was a super fun night!
Finished it off with ice cream at none other than the Cannery! We love that place!
Tickets with Onstage Ogden to a Utah Symphony "Here come's Santa Clause" performance. I LOVED it but I love the symphony. Lottie was ornery and hard. Actually all the kids were kind of pills at this for one reason or another. Ha. Oh well.
The ward did a back to Bethlehem theme for our ward Christmas party. They asked the kids to take part in the nativity and so Greta and Lottie were angels and Harvey was a wiseman. Tanner had to take them by himself because I was in AZ but I was grateful he was willing to.
These pics were all sent to me by people in the ward. I think Tanner sent me one. But they didn't get any good pics of Greta.
Then we went to lunch with Cam and got amazing tacos!
Harvey had been complaining of a really bad sore throat and after a couple of days of it sticking around and looking pretty bad, I assumed it was strep and instead of me prescribing him something, I actually took him in. I don't know if I'm annoyed or proud of myself. It was strep and he did get antibiotics that we were not good at using unfortunately. But he got better.
Neighbor gifts! We made a lot because I love this neighborhood so much and there were so many people I wanted to take something to. I probably should have made even a few more. The kids were good helpers minus arguing who was going to take it up to what house, etc.
Our birthday cake! This one turned out good. It was a white chocolate buttercream with chai cake layers and it was SOOOO good. I was pretty happy with how it turned out!
How cute is she!?
Ski day for mom! Loved it. This might have been my first day on my new skis because unfortunately, the day I skied with Nat and Preston, I accidentally left my skis sitting next to my car when I drove off. They were turned in, but I had run them over. So so so stupid and I was so so so sad and mad. It was kind of terrible but luckily I know a guy so it wasn't the most financial devastating mistake. Goofy girls.
Helping in Lottie's class. We had a lot of fun!
First day of ski school for Harvey! It was Tanner's birthday. So Harvey was off with his class and Tanner and I worked with the girls. I can't remember but I think this day we maybe got Greta to go up the Wildcat lift?
Presents after we were done with skiing. Tanner requested stroganoff for dinner and then I made him a german chocolate cake which was rich and delicious beyond belief. Ha.
Love this picture.
Dropping off Heather's birthday present on our way to dinner with Clare and Berrie. She had presents for them. So nice!
Harvey was dang stoked on his awesome real Megaladon tooth.
Last day of my 30's...
1st day of my 40s...
Tanner came skiing with me on my bday and it was SO fun!
He even went to a Thai restaurant with me and I got delicious pho...
And they brought me a little Thai donut treat.
This was my birthday dinner. I didn't cook - kids all got straggler dinner.
Then I did a puzzle and we watched a movie. It was a chill, perfect evening.
Heather brought me balloons too! So nice!
Family Christmas games. Pictionary, bingo, and a dice/music game that was fun.
During the break we went swimming in Clearfield and Crew joined us. It was really fun.
Greta is doing so good!
And then after Christmas I went to Arizona. This is the first time I really got outside and explored anything. I found a walking path by the river and went for a good long walk in shorts and a t-shirt and it was super glorious.