It Was Joyous!

Sledding on Jan 1st on Old Main Hill. It was gorgeous!

I've been thinking about the whole month of December. It was an eventful month some in small ways some in big ways. I've got another list for you all of our December events. Overall I just want to say thank you! I feel grateful for all the following.... here is how we spent December:

1. Planned and carried out the ward Christmas party
2. A dentist visit for me, first in 5 years
3. Tom's 35th birthday
4. Sadie's 1st birthday
5. Polar Express @ next door cousins' house. Tom's mom read the story complete with Pjs, cocoa and cookies
6. My mom's visit, her wonderful help & nutritious cooking. I was in much need of both.
7. Played pinochle with my mom and dad.
8. We sipped Sparkling cider
9. Sad accident on the highway we drive everyday where two brothers, ages 7 &10 were killed Dec 18th. (This one broke my heart. So heartbreaking. two Christmas stocking were hung at the sight of the accident. This definitely had an impact on our December and our prayers went out to the family)
10.Sadie walking alot more
11. Boys played the wii Tues & Thurs
12.Christmas decorations up; lights on the outside of house - so lovely

13. Acted out the nativity twice. This was the first time. I love Trey's stance. His outfit was part church clothes and part play clothes. lovely.
14. Sadie was a powerhouse present opener
15.Tree up Dec 1(I think), tree down Dec 29. Trey said no to taking down the tree because he wanted Santa to bring more presents
16. Advent Calendars ( I kept forgetting to put the candy in the doors)

18. Made gingerbread houses with the neighbor boys
19. We enjoyed the gas fireplace so much and it showed with our $160 gas bill.
20. Tom put up my picture wall, I love it so much!
21. I painted my toe nails bright red, so did Samantha

22. Went to Temple Square on Christmas Eve. So pretty and chilly. Here we are in the Joseph Smith memorial building. My mom and dad came along and Sariah's family.
23. Missed seeing Steph and her family and Shannon from Washington. They had car trouble and couldn't come.
24. Missed seeing all members of our family that we didn't see

25. The girls Christmas morning.
26.Gave Samantha 2 hamsters for Christmas - she was so excited she cried
27. Acting out the Nativity the second time
28. Tom used his snow plow truck alot
29. Christmas cards sent 62; received 30 +

30. We had my dad over alot
31. We drove around looking at Christmas lights
32. I drank herbal tea

33. My mom read with Samantha alot over the break, that was helpful. My mom is a full fledged school teacher because she takes every chance she can to teach.

34. Seth with his pup he got for Christmas. He would love a real one.
34a. Seth sang with the primary in Sacrament meeting.
35. We hosted Christmas
36. I made Ruth's Chris sweet potato casserole. soooo yummy! I used yams because I forgot to buy sweet potatoes, so silly! That is how my head worked the whole month of December.

37. Trey with his legos
38. We watched Day & Knight, Tom and I snuggled. We snuggled alot during December
39. Tom sang in the Christmas program at church

40. Went to Hardware Ranch to see the elk
41. Took a wagon ride out to see the elk

42. Samantha had a small growth between her eyes surgically removed and she lost her first tooth all in the same day.
43. Went sledding