40!
I turned 40 this month! Katie turns 40 a few weeks after me, and our family decided to have a joint surprise 40th birthday party for us. Dave just told me we were going to meet Mom and Dad at Dion's for dinner, and I had no idea they had a whole party planned. Mom made the funniest coffin cakes for us and had all sorts of black decor set up. It was so fun.
My Class at school also had a fun celebration for me, with brownie cupcakes and sweet cards from the kids. It was also my goodbye party - notice is in and I am not returning to work at the school after Christmas break! Can't say I'm sad about it, but I will miss all the love from the kids in my class.
Surprise Party, Round 2!
Dave went all out this year, and planned a second joint surprise party with our friends for Colette and my birthdays. I knew he was acting strange when he was very vague and evasive about our plans for the night, but I did not expect to find a garage full of wonderful friends to celebrate 80's style with us! They snuck in through the garage side door and scared me half to death.
While Dave was surprising me at home, Jennifer took the kids to zoo lights. They ran into Russ and Katie and their family while they were there - cousin party!
We also celebrated Lexi's 12th birthday as a family. Her friend party will be in January.
Clara and Lexi both had fun celebrating their friends' birthdays this month.
We ran into Santa at both the ward Christmas party and the airport on our way to St. George - he's a busy guy!
One tradition we have is watching the live Christmas nativity at our stake center each year. The kids loving petting the animals and walking around the creche and seeing all of the nativities from around the world.
We spent Christmas in St. George with the Beutlers, but Santa came a couple days early and brought the famiy an Air Hockey table!
Trips to St. George always include a fun park trip and some nice outside time in the sun.
Merry Christmas!
Grandma taught the older kids how to play Scrabble - they are hooked!
We went on a hike to some really cool lava tubes. We didn't make it very far in the tube (forgot to grab some flashlights), but it was neat to see how it was formed.
We also hiked to the top of a nearby extinct volcano and Dave ventured into the crater with a couple of the kids.
The Lite bright was a favorite gift this year.
Other December happenings...
Cole and Lexi had a combined white elephant gift exchange. They have been blessed with a great group of kids in our ward.
Jennifer and I sand with the multi-stake choir and orchestra for the Christmas concert this year. It was a wonderful and powerful experience! Lexi and Macy also sang in the children's choir.
Piano recital time. We love Sandy!
Clara's school concert.
Lexi's school concert.
This is Benson and Mac's very favorite spot in the house. They perch themselves on the stair landing and watch out the window for packages or guests (or neighbors walking their dogs).
I was listening to Pandora Christmas Radio when a song came on that was really familiar. I checked what it was, and it was a song that I recorded with MCO in Arizona. I was listening to me singing with the choir on the radio!!! So exciting.
Jennifer is great at organizing play date for Benson.
