Game On

Christmas preparations have begun.  I started with cleaning a few spaces in our home.

Molly helped by dumping an entire bottle of soap in the sink.

 Ryan benefited.

 Then we organized her closet space -- I took a tons of baby girl clothing to Goodwill.  I cried.

 Maisie was very happy about her organized math homework.  She should be, because it was beautiful

 Wednesday (early-out day) I made the kids help me put up the nativities and Christmas decor.  Eddie transformed into Santa Claus.

 Andy found a way out; he was followed by the other boys.

 Then! Grandma B. came for 48 hours while Austin and I blasted to Las Vegas to complete all of our Christmas shopping.  We were super successful.
We did see a few fun shows and ate treats at Carlos Bakery.

 We saw a Jukebox Christmas show.  I knew all the music from the sixties and the holidays.  I sang the entire time.

Friday morning we shopped all day.  From 10-6 we pushed hard.  Here is Austin combing the lists and mapping out our needed stores to maximize our spree.  It worked!  We knew just what to buy in each of the selected stores.  It really was a fun.  My watched logged 20,000 steps.

 Friday night  we saw Jim Gaffigan at the Colosseum (Nope.  It doesn't look like the real thing.)  We laughed through the entire show.  Saturday morning my abs were sore.  HAHAHAHA!

 Oh, we stayed at the TRUMP hotel.  I loved it because it wasn't a casino, so we didn't have to walk through the smoke or the noise.

 The good doctor actually sat and relaxed.  We both did for like 45 minutes.  Saturday we finished up our lists on Amazon.  He was so wise to get our shopping done. 

 Our drive home was complete with snow on Mingus.

 Home again and my Athleta magazine came.  Meg decided we try the duo yoga poses.  We did.

 Almost.  Can you guess which duo is the models?

 Fail.

 Late Saturday night the three big girls came to my bed and chatted up a storm.  We tried to be quiet, because Austin was snoring.  I love these darlings and who they are becoming.

Thankful

Only two days of school this week proved to be just what I needed to prepare for our trip to St. George to meet up with the Bells.

Straight hair.

 I was so clever and popped some corn for their morning snack.  They were more clever and broke each popped kernel into a thousand pieces.  They won.

 Monday night for FHE we set up our Christmas tree.

 Ryan and Molly went to Grandma's house to make this darling turkey for an after-school snack.  She's the best.

 Austin bought be cookies.  I found them.  I ate them.

 I made my first chocolate cheesecake.  It was perfect.

 Wednesday we drove to St. George and stopped at John's house.  Major bonus:  Campbells were also in St. George for the holiday.  We spent the most relaxing afternoon together.  I feel loved and wanted.  Sis and her family also make us feel special, like they want us to be by them.  That's a good thing, because no one could take their place in our world.  John and his family are just plain charitable.  They feed and house and give it all to ensure a good time for all. These girls were looking at something.  I love being with my family.

 I made them turn around.

 Then they hiked to the other side of the ravine.  We heard them yelling at us.

 Nails!

 Wednesday night began football.  Molly was often Austin's game buddy.

It took less than one minute for us to reconnect with the Bells -- the 14 kids were so lovely together.   Thanksgiving day we drove to a Vegas buffet.  It was the best.

 That night everyone braved the pool.  Nope for me.

 Friday we spent in Zion National Park.  Thank you to Maddie and Vennis who are fourth graders and got us all in free.

 Our one group photo = 18 people.

 Meggles.

 I had never been there before, and I really thought it was lovely.

 Saturday was the rec center.  These boys were in heaven.

 We took the <12 children="" kids="" museum="" p="" s="" the="" to="" while="">

 the >12 went to the temple.  Both Stoker and Jethro could baptize, so we didn't even send adults.

 Our last night together we posed for a few pictures.

 Adults.

 Then, just like that, it was over.  There was no stress, ever.  We played and laughed and ate and talked.  We drove and hiked and played and walked.  We swam and shopped and danced and dropped (into bed).  We really love the Bells.  Heavenly Father gave me Zsahnae on the first Sunday of our four years in Cleveland -- He knew I needed her.  She is still the best.

Molly slept most of our drive home.  Bless her.  She needed it.

 The sunset.

I'm just really grateful for relationships.  Loving and meaningful relationships that are eternal.

No School November

Because of Veteran's Day observation, we didn't have school Monday.  Which meant that Sunday night we stayed up late to play games.

 Monday we completed our chores slowly and kindly.  Nick made up this game with my laundry rack.  Molly and Ryan loved the ride and the attention.

 Then Grandma and Grandpa B. came for dinner and FHE.  They showed us their Africa slides -- we had never heard their presentation.  We all loved it.

 Tuesday morning Molly brought all her babies to breakfast.

 Then she kindly let me use them during my pilates practice.

 Meg used her hair as a toupee.

 This!  We were so clever and Eddie disguised his turkey as a minion.

 Maddie and Molly both had hair bows that match for church perfectly.

Where is Andy this week?  I don't know why I don't have any pictures.  He did go to the temple with the youth, and he did work out everyday.
Sunday = Fortday (outside view)

 (inside view)

 Maddie is getting so good at walking on her hands.