We started the month off at Provo Town Center, doing our annual Red Robin/Santa visit. Santa got strict this year and doesn't let you take your own pictures there anymore. So we opted for a picture on the big couch for now.
So many performances over the last couple weeks! Alli's school choir performed at the Festival of Trees. The 6th graders were in charge of picking out shirts this year and they picked pink...a very bright pink! The boys and girls alike wear it well!
Brynne...oh, the stories I could write about Brynne. I don't want her to hate me when she reads this years from now, but man alive that girl can frustrate me like none else. "And when she was good she was very very good, and when she was bad she was horrid". THIS! For all the grief she gives me, she can be the best helper with Cooper. And she's pretty dang cute.
Next up: Holly and the other 2nd graders at the Festival of Trees! We missed a lot of their performance while trying to find a place to park, so I didn't even find her in the crowd until she was walking off the stage. Sad. But she showed me the tree that the 2nd graders decorated and donated, and we were able to walk around and see some of the other fun trees and decorations.
And then Tyson was like this:
Somehow we managed to escape taking any pictures of my 30th birthday. The actual day was a bust, with me, Alli, Holly, and Cooper all throwing up. But Alex went above and beyond, planning a big friend/family/neighbor surprise party on Sunday evening, and a dinner with the McCarty's on Monday night. I won't say I'm thrilled to be 30, but I am still alive and that's all that matters. Right?
Unfortunately, in the midst of the sickies, I had to get Alli and Holly to their piano recital that night. Thankfully, I had already arranged for a babysitter for the younger three kids, as I definitely wouldn't have felt up to taking them all by myself that night. The girls played so well and I couldn't have been more proud of them! It's very rewarding to see the payoff for all the practicing they do. This year Alli played "Do You Hear What I Hear?" and Holly played "Jingle Bells".
A couple days later Alli had her school concert. Finally one that the whole family was available to go to, and we all loved it. Tyson copied their dance moves and even did a little dancing out in the hall during his bathroom break.
Late Thursday night of that week, my dad came into town. We spent Friday morning running some errands, and that night we went to the Joseph Smith Memorial Building for Alli's last concert, then to dinner and then to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas concert. It was a really amazing night and I'm so glad I was able to share it with so many people that I love.
The tree at the JSMB is always spectacular!
And I caught Holly entranced by it.
Alli had quite a few people come to support her: Mark and Liz, my dad, Holly, Aunt Carla, Mambo, and Grams.
The next morning my kids played "Hedbandz" with my dad.
We spent the rest of that day at Scheels and Cafe Rio before he had to head back to the airport. Luckily we will be seeing him again in a few short weeks for Holly's baptism!
Monday night was Brynne's dance recital. She was adorable and didn't even get scared this time!
I took the kids to see Santa at the Traverse Mountain outlets on Monday and it was the best Santa experience I've ever had. He talked to my kids for at least 5 minutes. When Alli told him she wanted an ipod touch he told her he has a lot of kids that want that and she should have another idea in mind, as well. He said that he was glad they all picked something they wanted, but Santa liked to do surprise presents sometimes too. At the end he told the kids that it looked like they had a nice family, and that they were so lucky for that. And then he reminded them that the best part of Christmas was getting to spend it with their family. Best Santa ever. Hands down.
I finally got Cooper's birthstone ring to add to my necklace. This necklace is one of the best presents Alex has ever gotten me, and I love it at much now as I did 6 years ago when I first opened it. Way to go, Alex.
Tyson drew a snowman who is afraid of the storm. The black spot is the storm. I LOVE when kids start drawing actual figures. So adorable.
I got a small gift for the Alli and Holly's piano teacher and had them write a card for her. I was so happy to see what Holly wrote, not only because I think it's adorable, but because she said she likes piano! Sometimes she's really stubborn and doesn't want to practice but she is getting better all the time and I am so proud of her. Also, she likes to sign her name fancy and swirly, and it always looks like she spells it Hollye. It makes me laugh.
Just two days of school left until Christmas break and then things will slow down a bit so we can really enjoy this most wonderful time of year. I'm so grateful for the reminders of faith, service, family, and love that we get so much right now.
