Pre-Christmas Goodness

I LOVE this time of year.  It is super busy.  But, at least for me, it's almost all FUN busyness.  Except for the whole "hosting a dinner for 35 women at church" thing.  Parts of that were fun.  But it was mostly stressful.  But it went well!  And everyone enjoyed it.  (Except for a us singing ALL of the verses to eight Christmas songs.  That was a bit much for some of the women.  I'll remember that for next time.)  And I can't believe the big day is only five days away!  Yippee!

*Day of Service*

Our big service project at church this year, was held in conjunction with our Christmas brunch.  We volunteered at Backpack Beginnings, organizing comfort backpacks for homeless, abused, and neglected children.

They have their system completely streamlined.

The girls were GREAT helpers.

They put Brandon and his big muscles to work doing manual labor.

He rocked!

So grateful for this chance to serve with our ward family.

*Christmas Lights*

I'm such a sucker for Christmas lights!  On December nights, I smile in my minivan everywhere I go.  

One of our favorite go-to stops is the musical lights out in the boonies.

It's about a 25 minute one-way drive from our house.

We packed up the kids and cruised out there....

only to find that they're not doing it this year!

Oh no!

I was so sad.

B was ticked that we drove all that way for nothing.

Andrew was amused that we found "Fat Boy Blvd"

while we were out there.  :)

Luckily, the Ridgeway lights (our other family fave)

 were still going strong!

 Magical!

Love, love, love it.

A friend showed me a new spot that is awesome, too.

 I don't know how well the picture captures the awesomeness,

but this is a forested lot between two homes.

So cool!

I also liked the next-door neighbors' NOEL.

*The Nutcracker*

All of the girls in the family went to the ballet this year.

(Meanwhile, Andrew took B to ride go-carts.

All of us were happy!)

Pre-ballet twirling.

Caroline had come from a birthday party with an

amazing face painter and there was no way I was making

her take that off beforehand.

We loved the performance!  Since the girls are taking ballet right now, they were even more interested. Caroline's favorite was the mice.  Whitney loved the snowflakes.  I think my favorite was the waltz of the flowers--I love all the different colored tutus. 

 *Relief Society Christmas Dinner*

My responsibilities at church right now include a monthly weeknight meeting for the women's organization.  Most of the meetings are casual and I delegate the teaching responsibilities.  But this one was a little more work.  And entertaining is not really my strength.  Sometimes I forget important details.  Like forks.  So I was stressed out pretty much the whole day of the dinner.

But then I showed up at the church.  Half an hour before the dinner.  And there were women (and one young man!) already waiting to get in the building to help me set up.  Just out of the goodness of their hearts!  Everyone pitched in and it was a wonderful evening.  Especially the rolls from Golden Corral's bakery and the Cheesecake Factory dessert.  (Now you know why the rest of the activities are so casual--we save all our budget to end the year with a bang!)

I'm trying to remind myself that these women love me.  And that if I miss important details, they'll still love me.  And forgive me.  And dig some plastic forks out of one of the storage closets themselves if they have to.

*Preschool Program*

We had a great time listening to Care Bear sing her heart out

at the preschool Christmas Program.

Such a little cutie patootie.

Sorry it's so shaky.  My assistant videographer is a rookie,

but I was grateful for his help.

I love how she holds that last note out longer than anyone else.  :)

Have a great Christmas!  We miss all of our family and friends who live far away, but are grateful for cards, gifts, blogs, and facebook that make you seem not quite so far away.