Twas the week before Christmas...

Before we left Texas we had to stop by our favorite ice cream place, "The Chocolate Bar."  They have lots more than ice cream, but their ice cream is unbelievable.  Elise took a cute picture of little Beverly right after we left.  I've seen her on Face Time and it looks like she's already changed so much.

I arrived home the afternoon of the 7th, and on Saturday the 9th I had my staff Christmas Party.  Below are most of the Water Aerobic Teachers at the South Davis Rec Center.  Some of us have been around a long time (most of us).

Wednesday night Roy and I took Gunnar and Ollie to the play "A Christmas Carol" at the Centerpoint Legacy Theater.  Since we had to delay the play a week (since I was in Texas), we didn't get our usual seats center front.  We had to sit back a few rows and were on the side.  It didn't seem to cause us any problems though, we still had a good view and the boys loved it.  At one point, Ollie made sure grandpa knew he wasn't scared, even though he was holding pretty tightly to his arm.

I told Gunnar that it would be the best

Christmas present if he would let me get a picture

of him with Tiny Tim, but he wouldn't do it.  They both

told me they were "Shy"

Adrienne graciously fed us a delicious chicken enchilada dinner before we took the boys and went to the play.  Both boys behaved perfectly.  As soon as it was over they were hungry, of course, so Roy bought them some chicken nuggets (to eat when they got out of my car and into their house :)

I missed our ward Christmas Party, but I was able to celebrate with my book club.  We don't discuss a book in December, we just get together (the husbands are invited) and enjoy a nice evening.

Friday morning we went to Doyeon's Gingerbread play.  As we had done this with Hyeji a couple of years ago, we thought we knew what was coming, but the teachers had been creative and invented a space gingerbread story, and a deep sea gingerbread story.  Doyeon was a shark.  In the Space play, the poor gingerbread kids got eaten (they were beamed up by aliens), but in the deep sea play, the gingerbread boy was adopted by the fisherman and his wife.

We invited our friends Heeyoung and Jun and their kids over for dinner Friday evening.  We had Dan and Jieun come, too, for ease of communication.  After Doyeon's play I had kept Doyeon with me.  We ice skated (on terrible ice), went to Costco, and went home and made cookie dough to cut out later that night.  After we had dinner, we got out the cookie dough and the kids went to town.  They had a blast.  The mess was actually minimal!  Caitlyn may think differently since she vacuumed for me the next morning.

Hyeji and Yalyn

Hyeji with Haeun (he wouldn't even look at me
he was so intent on rolling the dough)

Heeyoung, Jun, Dan and Jieun

Hyeji and Doyeon

I also invited them to church for our Christmas program today.  Heeyoung came with Haeun, but Jun and their daughter didn't come.  Dan and Jieun came to our ward so she would feel comfortable.  I was in the choir so I couldn't sit with them.  I had crayons and paper in my bag for the kids.  Hyeji drew this picture and wrote a note on the back to go with it.  She's becoming quite the artist.
I would orient this the right way, but as I'm a little technologically challenged, I won't.  It was oriented the right way until I loaded it onto the blog.

'We spent Sunday evening with Nick and Sara and girls.  So, in a two week period we spent time with everyone except Crista and Matt.  They will be staying a few days this coming weekend, so we'll catch up with them, then.  

Grandpa asked Ori what she was asking for for Christmas.  Nick said a better question would be what she's not asking for.

I mentioned that Beverly had grown.  Here is a picture to prove it. We received this picture Sunday night.  Roy's comment was, "Nice hot tub!"

 I am so grateful for my family.  I am grateful for all of your lives and the wonderful people you are.  I am grateful for prayer, that I have someone to whom I can turn to.  I can ask Heavenly Father to watch over and protect all of you and guide you in your lives.  I can also strive to trust in His plan when everything doesn't go according to our plans.  I love my Savior and have been especially aware of His spirit in these days before Christmas.  Have a great week!

Still in Texas

Central Market

We spent the first part of this week having a little bit of fun with Elise's family before Grandpa headed home on Thursday morning.  We were able to have dinner at Central Market (on our way to Zoo Lights).  It was Beverly's first outing.  It was also good for Elise to get out of the house.  After Roy left, I stayed to continue helping Elise with the kids.  Since I've been here, Andy has had 2- 24 hour shifts, so I think it's been nice for Elise to have the help.  I am able to take the boys to the park for a little while every day, take Max to and from school (walking when I can get him to).  Other than that, we are mostly taking it easy.  

Beverly

Mav at Zoo Lights

Beverly 

Max

Max and Mav watching Candy, the talking zebra

Visiting with Candy

First bath

So far Beverly is a very calm baby.

Mav loves the bathroom--especially brushing his teeth.

Mav getting some reassuring loves from mom.

While I've been in Texas, life continues in Centerville.  Caitlyn had her Christmas Dance (girl's choice).  Their pre-dance activity was held Thursday night.  They made Gingerbread houses.  Caitlyn said hers was kind of a mess.  

Shortly after Roy got home he ran into Jieun and Dojin at the grocery store.

Church is always fun and interesting when you attend outside of your home ward.  Below are the Jackson kids dressed and ready to go to church.

Roy had the family over at home in Utah.  Sara sent me this video.  She said everyone laughed because it was "creepy."  Ori's dancing partner is Marley's ghost (from Christmas Carol).