December Tid Bits

 

Checking Sydney's Chrome Book activity, it warmed my heart to see this was her most visited site.

For one of the youth activities, they visited a Giving Machine and since Gita is moving up next month, she filled in for Ireland who was at dance. Our Bishop and his sweet wife drove them and clearly they had a blast!

I noticed an Estate Sale sign as I dropped Ireland off at a friend's Christmas party. Sydney was with me and I asked if she was game to check it out and she was. They had a lot of fun stuff and Sydney found a really cute purse that spoke to her. I spotted some really nice chairs but elderly people were sitting in them and I didn't want to be too obvious about it. I went home and told Brent, assuming he'd say no. We just went to Disney and Christmas was right around the corner! Turns out, he was game so we headed over in the truck. We ended up buying them and as we waited to pay, Sydney spotted a projector. Between the purse, chairs and projector (which Sydney wasted NO time in setting up!) it was an incredibly successful Estate Sale for us!

By the time we had everything loaded into the truck we were tight on time so Sydney and Brent rode in the back and just held on to the chairs rather than lashing them down. Sydney still talks about the thrill of hunkering down in the bed of the truck, hoping we wouldn't be spotted by a policeman.

We were playing Temple Jeopardy and the answer was St. George so I hinted it was an Utah temple beginning with "Saint"

Gita: SAINT BERNANRD!!!

I got to witness the most stunning sunrise on one of my morning walks. The inky lace of the trees against the painted sky took my breath away.

At dance Ireland received a stamp every time she answered a question right or demonstrated a move correctly. She had a good class.

Gita: I still just don't understand how I got strep!
Me: Like this *grabs Brent for a November Rain French Kiss*
Gita: Nooooo STOP!!!!

Reagan sent us a package of fun stuff she picked up on her trip to Ireland including this adorable beanie! This is not the first time one of my siblings has done this and I'm so grateful for the love they show my kids. It takes a village!

When Liesel saw this photo, she was irritated Ireland had used her sweater. I saw this and it made me laugh because this is truly what it's like to have sisters!

We had some really pretty snowfalls that created the most beautiful winter wonderland!

During our post-Christmas shopping we picked up a chunky knit tree skirt for Whitney that was sold out online and not available at her local store. The heart wants what the heart wants!

The moon was out in full glory on another of my early morning walks.

Found this cute little note and Sydney's Tamagotchi wrapped up all snug in some tissues in the office

The National Park Service Instagram feed is one of my favorite and this one had me chuckling.

In case you didn't suss it out, the answer is "Millenium Falcon" haha!

Sydney really made a big deal about her 4th Grade Winter Performance. She wanted as much of the family to be there as possible and asked over and over. At the time it was so odd- I mean between her older sister's performances, dance recitals and musicals we have ALL been to tons of musical  performances over the years. Why was she so hung up on this one? Once we were there it sunk in. She has a new teacher and he is absolutely brilliant. He really engaged the kids on this and got them playing instruments and creating their own choreography. You can tell he has a really great connection with the kids and Sydney truly shined. Enjoy!

Chicago Art Institute

It was actually Ireland's idea to go to the Chicago Art Institute. Turns out going somewhere inspiring and full of color and imagination is the perfect thing to break up a long midwinter. The girls are old enough to appreciate it more and we had a lot of fun discussion along the way! 

Gita spotted the painting featured on the cover of the museum map.

A pink lady made of shells...

and her little dog too!

When we came upon this one we all kind of chuckled. Was it a joke? There's nothing there! Turns out the art is the frame. See the golden border? That's the work of art. I wish I'd taken a picture of the description because I know I'm not doing it justice here. I just think this is so much of life where we are expecting something to be the fantastic artwork when in reality we are working on the frame. Maybe the center will be filled in someday and maybe it won't but the frame is just as important.

I adore the Chagall Windows!

This is actually a bit of a flashback from when Sydney was just 3 years old. Julie was visiting and as soon as Sydney finished dance, we headed downtown. We had a blast back then and we had a blast today!

Jackson Pollack then

Jackson Pollack now

Suerat then

Seurat now. I love doing Eye Spy with this one. Do you see the monkey? The soldiers? How many sailboats can you count? There's always something new to look at. The border was discovered when this was cleaned and they decided to showcase it when re-stretching the canvas.

Pharoah bust then

Pharoah bust now

There was a Picasso exhibit that I was going to skip because I'm really not fond of him as an individual but the docent encouraged me to do it anyway. This one reminds me of the look Brent gives me when he's about to contradict me on something- haha!

Reasons I don't like Picasso:

We had a really great day and it made me determined to return more often.

Everyone needs some inspiration now and again.

Merry Christmas!

 This year's stockings absolutely made me smile. Most of the old stockings were purchased when we were young and short on cash. They worked! But they were a bit of a hodgepodge. We had 1 red and 1 cream knit stocking from Pottery Barn that I absolutely loved. Years ago when I purchased them, these stiped ones were pictured but they were sold out online and in the stores. I did a little hunting (thank you eBay!) and I found THREE which I paid a ridiculous amount for but no matter, they look so charming! If I can find just 1 more, we can do Brent's red on one end, my cream on the other and the girls can all have a striped sock in between. I have dreams!

Stuffing the stockings with Brent on Christmas Eve was extra fun. I plan for and purchase Christmas stuff so far in advance, I often forget where I've hidden things and that was definitely the case this year! Throughout the day I had to keep checking the nooks and crannies of the house to retrieve something or other. Good thing the girls are at an age where they didn't mind a little something being handed to them mid-morning rather than digging it out of their stocking!

On Christmas Eve we all took turns laying our gifts beneath the tree.

We strategically placed the mini fridge for Ireland and Gita so it wouldn't be visible from the door.

I think we did a good job! You can't see that mini fridge at all! It's hard to tell, but my Aunt Beck was cleaning out her home and sent me her LGB train cars they no longer wanted. Our train was particularly full this year too!

Brent started breakfast while I put a fire in the fireplace and set the table with the Christmas plates. At long last it was ready.

Photos turned out SO much better this year with those clean, white walls! I'm so glad we repainted the foyer!

Breakfast was a classic: eggnog French toast and frittatas with festive-looking red and green peppers. 

Finally time for stockings. Due to our Disney trip, we really scaled back on Christmas and I made a last-minute decision to get the girls new water bottles. They went over really well!

Traditional Pringle pic to share with the family!

With stockings done, we moved to open the presents under the tree and they finally spotted that mini fridge.

My sister-in-law texted me and asked if the girls are Swifties. I told her if she got them something relating to Taylor Swift they would build a shrine to her and set up velvet ropes to bring tour groups by. Just listen to those squeals of delight! 

Every year the best part of Christmas is watching the girls exchange gifts with each other. They are so excited to give and receive, the presents aren't wrapped perfectly and they are usually in an old shoe box. 

Liesel used her own hard-earned money and spent quite a bit on her family. If I've finished buying for someone and spot something that would be just perfect, I'll often splurge a bit but other than that, the girls have to find gifts from the local dollar stores. Ireland and I were out shopping when we saw a package with Grace perfume and body wash. Grace is Liesel's middle name and she considers that to be her signature scent. But this year Liesel had her own ideas and she carefully selected each gift.

As I mentioned, we really scaled back because we had just done a Disney trip. I bought early and on sale and when it came down to the day, I wasn't sure how Christmas would go over. We set expectations pretty low and as you can see, everyone was really happy and grateful for their gifts.

This is just a tote that says I Love You at the top and then has all the Taylor Swift lyrics from her different ballads. Sydney was thrilled- like she'd won the lottery!

She also liked her Tamagotchi and had that thing running like a clock in no time.

Grandma and Grandpa Wuehler were incredibly generous. On top of gift cards, they gave everyone cash! Aside from refilling recently depleted money coffers, this gave the girls great anticipation of going back to the mall and purchasing those things they'd wanted for themselves that didn't end up under the tree.

In another Christmas zhuzh, I came across more paper snowflakes at a local Christmas store and went a little nuts. I cleaned them out. Then I found even smaller ones at Crate and Barrel and again went a little nuts. I didn't completely clean them out, but I bought so many even Liesel mentioned maybe I needed to stop- haha! In spite of the Christmas mess on the floor, I really love this room during the holidays! 

I received so many kind comments about our Christmas card. The girls' orthodontist positively gushed as he is the father of daughters as well and immediately understood the nuance. I wanted our card to show a bit of personality and stand out a bit and I think we accomplished that.

The girls told me it didn't feel like we scaled back at all and this was the best Christmas yet!