December

Let’s simplify this year, hey I have the whole month planned out, we have to do something Friday night 2 things on Saturday and Sunday night, we can get it all done.  Both statements come from me.  

We went to the tree lighting, there was a huge bubble “mosh pit” Azalyn got lost but did the right thing she went back to the last place she remembered her dad being.  Tons of bounce houses, huge slide, and they got to ride a mechanical reindeer (they are still excited to play on everything)

We finally were able to go to our ward party, it was brunch, Greg and I spoke about Christmas memories.  Colvin got to be part of the Nativity.  Denali and Azalyn sang with the primary. Last time Denali will sing with the primary.

We put up outside lights, I twisted Greg’s arm.  The funny thing was it was hot, I have never had to take off clothing to put up lights.  Arizona right.  Denali Azalyn and I went to a crush (a display of nativity’s) Denali was walking around drinking hot chocolate with shorts.

With all that running and the time of year we are going to get sick.  Poor Colvin was hit the hardest, he was out of school for almost 2 weeks.  He could not shake it, but I took him to the doctor and the test all came back negative.  He slept more in 2 weeks than he usually does in a month.  When he was finally on the mend the only thing, he wanted was Zupa’s.  We made it a night and went to the Mesa Temple.  Satan does not want us to be happy at the temple.  There is always a fight and a disaster, but we keep going back every year, we only remember the good feelings.

Sad but exciting family news.  We sold the Van. (Gregs mom gave us the van right before I found out I was pregnant with Colvin).  I learned I cannot haggle. It was bittersweet.  I took off the kid’s stickers so they could have something to remember.  Greg started a new job, it is a longer commute, it kind of scares me. He is getting home later but wow am I able to get more done (kids are not loving that part)

Colvin did a winter concert. There were no stitches this year after so win.   It was so fun Greg was able to meet us there.  I love watching my kids but STOP GROWING.

Funny: most mornings Azalyn will come in my room and ask if she can get out of bed.  If before 6 no, after 6 yes (6:30 is our goal) then she will take my phone.  When my alarm goes off, she will come get me, but her line to wake me up is mom you can get out of bed now if you want.  (That is the line I give her if before 6 and she has to go lay down.  At 6 I say ok you can get out now, if you want, someday they will want to stay in bed) The day before Christmas brake Denali had a poster due, he forgot it so I brought it too him so he could watch the movie.  I was not the only parent.  Dad came to drop off with me. He was in the front when the seat belt started to ding.  I went to hit him in time to the ding, Colvin yelled mom you cannot hit the elderly.  When I went to turn to go home, I did not turn the whole way and started going down the road the wrong way.  STRESS anyone?

We did neighbor gifts; I was going to keep it stupid simple with bars of soap shaped like trees and snowflakes.  With the note, may your Christmas be filled with love, joy, and soap I mean hope.  However, when they came Greg thought we should put candy with it.  The kids and I put then together, then we discovered Greg HATES delivering them, so we also did that.   JOY!  As a family we were able to drive around and look at Christmas lights.   There was one house where the lights were timed to music. 

Mom and Dad came to get out of the cold.  I had a list of projects for everyone.  Mom, me and the kids cleaned out the laundry room, wondering how long it will last.   Dad and Greg went to Home Depot, dad built a lean too for all our bikes.  We want to be able to park in the garage.   The day it was finished it rained and nothing under it was wet.   We were able to park both our vehicles in the garage for the first time ever.  He also took apart my stove, so all the burners work but two do not have lighters.  He put shelves up in my closet (now I have storage).  The last job was power washing my rocks.  (they left right after Christmas) Not sure what he is going to do when he gets back.  Go to the gym with mom? Mom did all my dishes and all my laundry, I told her the kids still had to clean up dinner.  Dad was also able to go on a field trip with Colvin.  They went to the wildlife zoo. They were going to be home early but did not get home till after Denali was home. They walked the whole zoo.  Mom stayed home with Azalyn I got to run errands on my own, glorious.  Mom and the gym, that is what she got for her anniversary then all the girls bought her a few months.  I went to her first water Zumba class.  I totally get how and why people love the gym, but I have to choose my family right now.  The massage chairs were the best part of the gym. 

I got to go to Azalyn’s Christmas party.  Last year she was sick.  It was so fun and so cute.  The teacher had a little train that the kids loved.   Azalyn went every time because she was not scared to go with anyone.  Azalyn got her school pictures back.  They are so cute, but she looks way too big.  She is still not sure that kindergarten next year is a good idea. 

After Christmas Timber came down but stayed in a hotel. Her hotel had a heated pool, my kids loved it.  Bad mom moment.  I took ear drops because sometimes when Az gets to flipping, she gets water in her ears.  However, the ear drops I brought were swimmer ear drops and they HURT.  She cried for an hour.   The next time at the pool I brought the good ear drops.  We took all the kids to Uptown Alley, we stayed for 4 hours and did not even bowl.  We did a ton of laser tagging. 

NEW YEARS: we watched Maces baptism.  I am sad that I was not able to go but I made the right choice to stay home.   We went to the Gathering New Years performance.  (Not as good as Christmas see other blog) I still loved it. Then home and ate. Timber left about 11 (we had stayed up the last few nights way late) Greg and I were going to go to bed and let the boys stay up, but we got to reading and talking.  We came down at 11:58 kissed the boys (Azalyn went to bed about 10) then BED! Great year!