Holiday Joy

With Thanksgiving being so late this year, it felt like Christmas was creeping in a little earlier so everyone would be ready for this busy time of year. It feels like Thanksgiving was weeks ago, not just last week!

My mom and Jim are here and arrived Thanksgiving Day to feast with us. Victoria had her first experience driving to the airport to pick them up. Luckily, everywhere, except the airport, was pretty empty, so the roads were nice and easy. The sister missionaries joined us for dinner as well and made a nice addition with the sweet message they shared and the spirit they brought in. After they left, we played a fun new game and watched a movie together. Some of my favorite things to do with my family!

Food prep

Chowing down!

Grandpa had to pretend to be a baby in the game!!

Erik doing Yoga with Grandma.

The next morning, my mom and I went to a High Fit class that my friends teach at the church. I usually can't go because of work, but was so excited to participate in it that day! It was a good and hard work out! We saw Frozen II later that day, after running some errands and doing some Christmas decorating. Throw in a football game and a bridal shower, and the day was done!

Jason finished the basement cupboards!!!!

Victoria cut Karissa's hair and I supervised...

Projects with Grandpa.

Erik really was snuggly, but he had to make a face here!

It was their 22 wedding anniversary!

Saturday, Jason and I went to the temple. The girls were with friends, so the boys got to play games and walk to the Dollar Tree with Grandma and Grandpa. They loved that! We did more decorating and the last of the yard work, along with another football game!

After a somewhat restful Sunday, it was back to the grind, with even more push than normal with it being the first week of December. Besides dance class, piano lessons, and scouts, Karissa performed in the Holiday Orchestra concert, which Victoria could have participated in too, but had the Tree Lighting at the Summit to perform at for dance. We both had talked to her orchestra teacher about her missing this big event (she's first chair violin now) and she said that since her dance performance was also a big event and there wasn't a way out of it, that she would let her do an alternate assignment instead. We love Mrs. DePentu!!

Tap dance

Jazz dance

Kick line

Getting warmed up.

Karissa did wonderfully at the concert and Victoria was awesome in the dance performance! Austin and Erik even got to play a few games at the tree lighting and visit with the Grinch!

The next night, we went to the tree lighting in downtown Plymouth, right near where I work. Karissa's choir sang carols there. The rest of us enjoyed listening to her group sing, as well as many others, along with some musicians play guitar, sax, trumpet, and other brass instruments. There was a free trolley ride in from different locations, free hot chocolate and a craft in the Sun and Snow store. The Grinch, some elves, and Santa himself were walking around greeting everyone and handing out candy canes. The lights were beautiful and there was the annual Christmas tree fest to look at as well. We saw two of my students and one of Austin's teacher's from 3rd grade. It was a very magical night!

The trolley

Aboard the trolley.

Singing carols.

Elves and reindeer. We did see Santa too, but mostly talked to him and I didn't even think to snap a picture because he was so interesting to talk to! He really did a good job walking around and talking with all the kids.