December

The Sunday after Thanksgiving, Aaron came and picked up Savannah while Janene stayed at home with the twins: when they picked them up, they found out they were sick the last half of their trip with fevers and congestion (in addition to Savannah being sick! I had to take her in and she had a double ear infection and started her on antibiotics), so they had a rough arrival home. Poor guys. I don't feel too badly though, they just got off a week-long cruise.

We then busted out the Christmas music and put up the tree and decor! So fun, such a happy evening when we get to do this each year! I always think about what it will  be like 10 years from now, when the kids think it's so lame. Hopefully this lasts as long as possible.

One of his favorite things to do was listen to this book that his Grandma Anderson recorded for him, The Night Before Christmas. He loved to sit there and turn the pages, listening to her voice read the story. It was a little annoying at times to hear the same sentence over and over and over, lets get real, but who can say no to that?! He loved it.

Baby girl found the nail polish. Awesome. It surprisingly came off of her and the carpet with nail polish remover! Who would have thought?!

We went to Steve's work Christmas party at Roy's. We are feeling so lucky and so blessed for the job opportunity Steve has been given. The people are great, especially the doctor that hired him, and they seem to love Steve too. We're still trying to figure out what to do long-term. We toss ideas around all the time, and I know it's on Steve's mind constantly. We'll figure it out when it's right.

She's lately taken to gnawing/sucking on random binkies we have laying around. Oh and also taking a few steps here and there!

Having an optometrist as a husband really does have its perks when you get a stye.

P: "Mom, I LOVE playing with you." L: {giggle giggle scream giggle}

Grandma flew in for the occasion to hear my mom and Kayla sing in the Millenial Choir and Orchestra. Turns out I have a couple of other friends singing in it too, as well as one who is the orchestra manager. The Christmas show was amazing, we were so thrilled to have gotten the chance to go! Thanks for a great night out!

FA-RA-RA-RA-RAAAAA-RA-RAA-RAAA-RAAAAAAA!!!!!!

Christmas card photo right there.

Finally got to attend the Packards' annual (obvi) ugly sweater Christmas party! The food was delicious (um except some brownies that a sweet girl, bless her heart, made with olive oil. oops), the games were hilarious, and the company was the best.

Someone posted a picture of In-N-Out so I had decided early in the day that's what we were having for dinner. It had been a while since we'd had it, and MAN that stuff is good. Except for the fries, of course. We also planned on driving around to see Christmas lights but that didn't happen. We're sitting there eating, and out of nowhere Parker decides to contribute to the conversation (not like he is EVER lacking in that area, but it was out of the blue):
P: "Once upon a time, there was a booger (burger). The end. Mmmm, I love that part." {opens mouth wide for a bite}. Carry on.

Well, what did we expect?

My favorite Sunday of the entire year. Among Steve singing in a quartet, we had so many other talented people do music numbers (a harp, more musical numbers, and especially this saxophone piece, just gorgeous), we showed two videos during our Sunday School class about the gift of Christ that bring me to tears every time, and ended with another beautiful message about what it means to be Christlike during the season. This season is so magical. I know everybody says they wish we could all be as mindful all year long, but I think things are perfect just the way they are. It makes it that much more special, and still gives us all year long to practice being Christlike, looking forward to the often-redemptive power of the season.

"Les go get my baby sister Lyla! Can I have cereal with milk on it? Can I pour the milk? BIG milk. Did you see the BIG blue garbage truck? Did you remember that? What color is this bowl? Is it green? Is it blue? NO! It's pink! What letter starts with pink? Puh-puh-puh-PINK! P starts with pink. Are you so hungry, Mom? I'm SO hungry. Can I have waffles with eggs? Is Lyla eating her oatmeal?"

Trains at Northpark, Christmas lights at Highland Park, and McDonald's (bleh) on the way home.

Janene had the cutest party for the twins and had my dad dress up like Santa for all the little kiddos. They loved it! And I love those sweet, tender little babies!

Parker wouldn't go near Santa, he stayed in the other room and kept asking when Santa was leaving. Lyla was getting anxious and reaching around for me, but then Santa started saying her name quietly and she peered over at this funny-looking man and gave him a second chance.

Two days after Christmas, Michael got home from his mission in Carlsbad, CA. It has been such a wonderful experience reading this guy's letters each week and hearing about his experiences. We are all so proud of him and who he has become, and the good that he has done. We were waiting and prepared where we thought he would be coming out, but a little after we were expecting him to have come out, we thought maybe we were in the wrong place. We start looking down toward the next baggage claim, and sure enough, here came Elder Moon, walking in our direction, looking for his family! (This was all after Steve, my Dad, and airport security chased Savannah sprinting down the top of the baggage claim. Never a dull moment, never a dull moment. Parker followed her a couple times, but Savannah did the full-on marathon-sprint for the finish line.)

We put the kids down and went out for a nice, kid-free meal to Olive Garden after. Came home and had a special Christmas with just the adults and exchanged gifts. The next morning we got to go to my parents' ward and listen to Michael speak (again, along with a beautiful musical number by a family accompanied by their dad playing the guitar). His talk was inspirational and the kids weren't too crazy so we actually got to listen to most of it. We rushed home after sacrament to change clothes and get ready for pictures, which actually went really well!! Monday we had another dinner out at Hutchins to get the boy some Texas BBQ, Tuesday we celebrated Chris' birthday with dinner and a Mavs game, then said goodbye to Michael and Kayla as they were headed off to BYU the next morning. 

Starbucks with high school friends, Steph and Brittany. I seriously love long-time friends, they're the best.

Finally, the chaos was over. I feel ya, buddy, I feel ya. I was quite excited to look at my calendar for January to see nothing. Beautiful, clean calendar.