About the Pictures

So, a few words about the pictures.

We had the ward Christmas party on my birthday which was a fun evening. The kids saw and talked to Santa and gave him their lists. They made gingerbread cookies and had dinner, a really fun night. I had the idea in my mind to "display" my new found talent of piano playing. So, I decided to sign up for our family to sing while I played for them. I chose to play several of the primary pieces I have learned over the past year I have been taking piano. I practiced quite a bit before the performance. But, I got in there in front of everyone and froze! I got so nervous, it was a complete disaster! So embarrassing! I played the first two lines of I lived in Heaven and my family was not singing and then I had to stop and start again, and then it went down hill from there. After sitting down following the horrible piano playing Rachel informed me that their singing was much better than my piano playing. Juliana then told me that I messed up a whole bunch and needed to practice some more. Maybe I am glad that on the day of mine and Joseph's recital that Joseph threw up all over my friend's tile floor at her house and then we were not able to go. I am afraid I would have done the same thing. It was for the best for sure.

Then Mike and I had our birthdays which is always fun and busy. I had the chance to go out to a couple of different dinners with some friends of mine which is always fun. Mike and I went on our date night to the temple and then got take out at Olive Garden, it was a fun night. Happy Birthday to us!

A couple of days later, we had been invited to go to a Christmas party at the barn. I told the kids we were going to the barn for a party and Rachel said it would be cold and dark, she did not want to go. I said it was not in the barn but in Laurie's house at the barn, she seemed okay with it. We got there and I noticed that Laurie had a brand new shiny black baby grand piano in her front room. I asked her how long she had had it. She said she had just bought it since she had decided to take lessons. So, about an hour later, I suddenly hear a very familiar song being played. Come to find out it is Joseph playing "Duke of York" which is the piece he played to get into the school talent show. I walked into the room and Laurie is standing next to him with her mouth wide open in shock. All the other kids were just pounding on it, not playing just making noise on her beautiful new instrument. But, my fearless Joseph played the song from memory and you can imagine it sounded great on the baby grand. Laurie was blown away. She told Joseph that was the most beautifully played song on the piano yet. Leave it to Joseph to break in a new piano. It was a fun night visiting with fellow horse lovers and eating great food.

Then a short week later we celebrated the girls' birthday. We had a very busy and full day that day. We had a practice for the choir program that morning. I was able to help a friend of mine who is going through a very difficult time right now by watching her son for awhile. Then we had a birthday party, I told you it was busy! But, the girls choose Skate City and that is where we went. We returned home and ate pizza, opened presents, and then ate cake. Rachel informed me that it was the best birthday ever. What more could I ask for?

Then that night Mike and I had a date night to the temple where we did a session and then spent about 2 1/2 hours cleaning after the session. This was a unique and fun way to serve the Lord. It was very different way to see the temple. All I will say is Mike had a leaf blower and I had a spray bottle and we went to town. What a way to clean. That is my kind of cleaning. We were also able to do some vacuuming, you know how I feel about that.

Our home teacher then gave us a gift card to the Elephant Restaurant and that is where we ate on the girl's birthday. We had never eaten there, but it was really yummy. Mike and I shared an entree of fire roasted chicken in a wok with brown rice, yummy! The kids all ordered chicken fingers. But, their meals came with ice cream sundaes. Rachel took her cherry on the top and ate it. I have never seen her eat a cherry before. I asked if she liked it. She thought for a moment and said: "It was sketchy." I wonder where she heard that one. It made me laugh out loud, so funny.

So, now with the birthdays over we will be looking forward to Christmas which is looming. We will be planning on going over to some friends for Christmas Eve dinner and then having a quiet Christmas here. It should be a fun and busy next couple of days.