Nutshelled December

I'm getting so far behind I thought I had better do a quick post to finish out the year (although I will be back-tracking to cover a skipped event or two... eventually).

I'm supposed to be sorting mail, balancing checkbooks, and paying bills.

I'm going to try and squeeze it ALL in.

Here's a few of the highlights of this crazy busy month:

December 6th - Ward Christmas Party
Walk To Bethlehem

Mar invited two of her non-member friends to come and they all had a great time, even if they were wearing tablecloths.


December 10th - Bishop's Bash
The kids all met at our house, then divided up into age-groups and rotated between three houses for games. They all came back together at the end for a crazy mix of treats and snacks.

I didn't snap a lot o' pics because Shilo and I came late due to a swim meet.
A lot o' kids. A lot o' food. Some really great white elephants. A lot o' fun.

December 13th -
Bill's ET Investments Work Christmas Party

This is possibly the LAST Santa lap-sit picture I will get of my own children.
Good thing grandkids aren't far away.
I won't mention the extra long detour the girls and I took getting home because I was touting the virtues of days-gone-by where we used our heads instead of a GPS to get places... and it's not like we were in unfamiliar territory... one wrong turn and driving at night were my downfall.

December 14th -
LHS Swim Team Christmas Holiday Party
(two Jewish girls on the team)

I made my famous-if-only-to-the-swim-team funeral sandwiches.

They were a hit. Again.

Thank heavens for our basement - it's well used and well-loved.

December 16th - Mar's Christmas Concert

I think I sang this very song back in my jr. high concert days. Love it. Love that I live in a community where we can sing songs in school like Silent Night. (I trimmed off the first part of the song in this clip - in the interest of your time). Mar is on the second row from the top, 6 in from the left.

December 17th - Pop Star Day
in the middle of Spirit Week

Mar wanted to be Niall, but settled on a tamed-down Cher OR a white Diana Ross.

She's got spirit, that's fo' shor.

December 18th - Bill's Align Group Work Christmas Party

In Colorado Springs at an old Gentlemen's Club. Not necessarily Bill's choice, but it was nice.

December 21st - Coaches Invite Swim Meet

I made and hung locker tags.

Shilo's Medley Relay team made it back to finals making it a good 12-hour day.

Her 400Free Relay also qualified for State. Nice.

Also December 21st - Jack and Ava's Birthday.

They're TWO (in people years).

Mar took this awesome pic of Ava's nose.

Sometimes my camera does genius things, sometimes it's crap (demonstrated in any low-light pics).

All throughout December I was trying to get it together for neighbor/HT/VT/Bishopric gifts.

Let's just say this year it was sporadic. Not all I had envisioned in my perfect-world dreams. I might have missed one... or two... friends I shouldn't have. I gave a valiant effort.

December 24th - Our last Christmas Eve with the Billats.

Even as I write, their house is boxed up, packed up, and devoid of nearly everything except them.

In a day or two they will be gone, baby, gone.

It's so sad. I was hoping they would stay forever.

Christmas this year was spent with these three beauties.

December 25th - Christmas Day

It was our first Christmas ever without Britta.

Taylor and Lynnea spent it in Conifer with her family.

It was small. Humble. But filled with laughter, fun, and love.

December 27th - Open House for the Billats

December 29th - Farewell Party for Elder ValVerde

He heads home this week. He was a diligent, patient, and humble missionary. I've told Lex she should be his friend on FB once he's home (cough, cough). That just makes things socially.... uncomfortable... at events like these.

Most. Awkward. Picture. Ever.

Our other current elder, Elder Goodwin, just happens to be the grandson of Bill's Japan Tokyo South Mission President, President Goodwin. It's a small world, after all.

Also pictured, our totally awesome Ward Mission Leader, Brother Spratt.

Did I miss anything?
(Likely)
We are going to ring in the New Year with lettuce wraps and some Monopoly.
Maybe a mozzarella stick or two. We'll see what this new day of a very old year brings.

Happy New Year!

Still Thankful.

Remember when I said I would post about Thanksgiving?

Today I'm git'n 'er done.

(I'm trying to sound Texan in honor of the Billats. Say it with a drawl.)

I'm git'n far-ther and far-ther behind, so I'd better start ketchin' up.

Here was my contribution to our Thanksgiving feast:

I am thankful for Pinterest and its plethora of creative ideas. I made a similar veggie tray last year. Not only is this {cute}, it's one of the easiest veggies trays I've ever made. Sold.

We held our gathering at a church by Matt and Lia in Herriman. Lia did all the food coordination (+ a lot o' cooking/baking herself), set-up, and decor. I just showed up with my veggie tray. She is amazing. I am so thankful for her willingness to put so much work and effort into making it a lovely day.

The apple crisp (bottom center) was made by Taylor and was delish. I am so thankful to have him as my son!
I am the luckiest.

(I had to include this cute pic of Rob and Sookie the day before their wedding.)

 I am so thankful for this sweet girl!

I am thankful our CA cousins could be there! It's been a long, long time since we've had Thanksgiving together.

Britt and Austin made their announcement official on social networks...

 ...I am thankful that I can now share my excitement with everyone!

Despite the craziness of the week, I wanted to be sure and get a family picture while we were all together. Unfortunately (or not), the only time-slot left in our day was right after dinner (the light was fading). I am sooooo thankful for kind and loving parents, siblings, in-laws, nieces, and nephews who were willing to clean up dinner while my family took pics. 

I am thankful that Austin has a great camera (+ remote picture-snapping and phone viewing capabilities) and some awesome photography/editing skills.

 Lynnea was sick that day (she's still suffering from bronchitis), and the last thing she wanted to do was spend an hour in the cold without her coat. You would never guess how awful she felt by these beautiful pictures. I am so thankful for such a wonderful DIL and S(on)IL - I couldn't have asked for any better!

 I love to see these girls together. I am blessed and thankful to have such amazing daughters.

 I am thankful for Billy-my-hero. He's just that. My hero.

I am thankful to have had the opportunity to celebrate with my family. We missed those who couldn't be with us, but loved spending time together. Seriously, we need to do this more often.

Quick note: While I was working on this post I was simultaneously watching an Ebay clock count down to the final seconds on the very first item I have ever bid on. My heart was pounding (still trying to calm it down). It was for a Christmas gift for Mar. I had a tiny ray of hope that the item was meant to be mine. Nope. {Sad face}

Life has been crazy busy. I want to just sit and blog about it all, but I'm too busy. I love this quote from one of my favorite bloggers:

"If we are too busy, then we are too busy."

Amen, sista.