As the year winds down the
parties have started. Mike had a couple of work parties as the semester ended,
and Hallie got to join him at one. She also got to go see choirs of angels
(earthly ones) while Mike and the kids celebrated the season with our ward.
On Monday, Hallie got her crown
cemented back into her mouth. She gave serious thought to just having the tooth
extracted, but the crown replacement was quick, and we may have found our new
dentist. Facebook gives the best referrals!
Cold weather is here for the
season, so we’re bundling up for our walks to and from school and church. Most
of the mornings we enjoyed a beautiful thick frost on the ground, trees, and
other surfaces. It was a bit slippery, but when the sun came out, everything
glowed, and it was so beautiful!
In the evening, Mike’s department
had a work party after his last class of the semester. It was held at the house
of one of his colleagues, and he and his family were very gracious hosts! The
kiddos got to have Katelyn for a babysitter, and Landon was mad that we got
home so early.
On Tuesday, Mike helped out at
the Zaycon meat distribution in the evening. Moving 40 pound boxes out of the
truck and into trunks warmed the chill right out of him and the other
volunteer.
Hallie babysat for one of our
gymnastics coaches, little Lily enjoys coming over to visit and interact with
Fergus, who takes it all in stride.
On Wednesday morning Hallie met
with Judy who is her counselor at Y-Be-Fit for the last time until after the
beginning of January. Judy is a great fit for Hallie, and they have built quite
a friendship.
Eliza got replacement glasses for the ones she broke. Slightly different color, but polka dots still.
While Landon was at gymnastics
Wednesday evening and while Hallie had a gymnastics fundraising meeting, Mike
took Eliza to the Museum of Art for Santa’s Art Shop. She made several crafts
to bring home.
Mike and the kids spent a little
time cutting paper snowflakes as decorations for the ward Christmas party. Mike
and Eliza delivered them to the bishop’s house before going to the museum.
Judging by the number of flakes in the box by the door there, we’re not alone
in our affection.
Thursday evening Hallie and Lily
spent time in the evening at Target getting some items for an impending snow
day that was forecast to come on Saturday. Lily did great at Target and had fun
playing with the kids once we got back to gymnastics where we met Eliza and
then played until Landon was finished 45 minutes later.
Mike’s college had a luncheon on
Friday with a yummy spread. He even got leftovers to bring home and share.
Hallie enjoyed the salted caramel cake quite a bit.
While Mike was eating good grub,
Hallie was giving away her blood to the Red Cross. It was a good experience and
hopefully there will be chances to do it again.
Later, Hallie and Katelyn went to
the Conference Center in Salt Lake for the Christmas concert, battling traffic most of the way. Afterwards, they hung out downtown.
Meanwhile, Mike and the kids went to the ward Christmas party. Mike brought his scissors and paper, and several kids and he cut some flakes and listened to the performers while having dinner and dessert. We were able to bring home some of the flakes we made (that didn’t get snatched up by other admirers) and hang them up in the kids’ windows.
On Saturday, Mike attended the
funeral for the little boy of one of his students, who passed away suddenly
last week. The passing of someone so young puts so much of the petty little
things that we fret over into stark perspective. Mike was gratified to see so
many people rally around this young family during this time of mourning.
The kids and Hallie ran some
errands in the morning. Hallie was one of the first to join the new Clyde
Recreation Center that will open in May, so she earned herself a swag bag. The
kids scored a t-shirt out of the deal by tagging along. As we were out, we saw this random "lawn serpent."
In the afternoon Landon’s
friend Israel from gymnastics came over for a play date and the boys were super
mad when it was time for Israel to go home 4 1/2 hours later. All good things
must come to an end. While the boys played, Eliza helped Hallie wrap presents
for Landon and Mike. This activity took a bit of patience for Hallie, but
everyone survived, so that is good.
Landon has gotten a kick out of
using the circuit maze game Grandpa O. got for the kids. Sometimes following
the directions has been harder than just making up his own circuits.
Hallie sang at a stake Christmas
fireside tonight. It wasn’t all that well attended, but the music was lovely.
Our choir director gave her a gift of chromatic bells that Eliza immediately
claimed for her own. Hey, we’re all for her developing her musical gifts. She
has been singing Christmas carols all week, and she has both a good memory for
the tunes and a good voice! Eliza is already setting up a performance with mom
playing the piano, Landon playing the bells, and Eliza singing.
After the fireside Landon and
Hallie spent their time together wrapping presents for Eliza and Mike. Landon
loves to help Hallie every year wrap presents, but these two buddies know they
aren’t so hot at wrapping. But they had fun anyway and enjoyed their time
together.
