Week 3 of December

The last week before Christmas had some special events as well. On Thursday, Rachel Folkman catered the most delicious meal, and Casey and I invited some people from the ward over that we have been wanting to get to know better. The dinner was a hit, and we really enjoyed the company.

On Saturday the 20th, we were able to see our nephew Jerrett sealed to his parents Tylor & Julie. We are so excited for Tylor and Julie and have always known they would be great parents. Tylor and Julie adopted Jerrett in May, and after years of trying found out they are having a baby girl this May, so their little family is growing rapidly this year! I am so grateful that Jerrett has been blessed to be placed into their family. And I am grateful that I was able to be at the temple with them as they were sealed together as a family. And little Jerrett looked so stinkin cute in his white suit. I unfortunately did not get pictures that day, but here is a picture on Christmas, so you can see the sweet little guy. We love him!

Grandpa Kenn Christmas!

On December 14th, we had our Christmas celebration with my dad. This party was freakin fun! Casey made a fried turkey and we had delicious food prepared by all the siblings. I made the Ruth's Chris sweet potato casserole, which is my FAVORITE! After dinner we all swapped gifts, and dad gave us all money and brought all the kids his traditional boxes of goodies. The kids love it. My dad spent his career working for the postal service, and although he is retired, he still uses the good ol' priority mail boxes for the kids treat boxes. After the gifts, we had a mini talent show so all the kids could perform their recital pieces for my dad, then my family all practiced the lip sync to the Osmond's "Sleigh Ride" song we are performing at the Allen Christmas party this year. We were all laughing so hard, and I am so grateful to have such fun brothers and sisters. They are my favorite people to be with and I'm pretty lucky. My dad totally rocks too. No, he really does, he has played in several rock bands, and amazes me with his musical abilities. But, he rocks in other ways too. He has never been one to force his opinion on me, or tell me what how he thinks I should be, and whatever decisions I make in life, he supports me and is always there for me. He treats me with respect, and talks to me like an adult now, but I kinda miss that little kid voice he use to always get when he talked to me when I was a kid. I still get to hear it though when he talks to my kids. Everyone who knows him knows what I'm talking about. :) I am so grateful for a wonderful dad, a wonderful family, and for super cool nieces and nephews.

Week 2 of December

Holy Cow! Once you get behind on the blogging it is hard to catch up. There is so much to write about. Week 2 of December had a few events worth blogging about.

1- Jessica & I had our primary class over for a Christmas party and we had dinner and played games. We played the White Elephant game, and my favorite (random) gift there was a box of staples. I had a great class this past year. Such good kids who know so much about the gospel! I taught the 11 turning 12 year olds, and they all taught me more than I could have ever taught them. I will miss them all!

2- On Thursday I went to the Relief Society Christmas Dinner. So the Sunday before they sent around a signup for people to help decorate the tables and bring dinner plates, etc. They needed 8 tables, and when I got the signup there had only been one volunteer, so I'm like "Oh, no biggee, I can bring a tablecloth and some dinnerware, and I'll just throw a candle for the centerpiece". So I get there a few minutes early and discover that all the others who volunteered to do tables are making them look beyond incredible. Fancy centerpieces, little gifts or chocolates on each plate, beautiful napkins, and even fancy coasters. All the tables looked AMAZING! So now, I'm feeling like an idiot as I find the very farthest back table and start putting my LAME table together. Seriously, I wanted to just crawl under the table, and you know I didn't sit at my table. As people came in, and NO ONE sat at my table I just looked around the room like Ralphie acting like it wasn't me. So Embarrassing! Well, I guess now I know, and I can start brainstorming now how to make a table look great for next year. Other than that, the dinner was wonderful. I have such fun friends in the ward, and the singing group Vivace were fun to listen to.

3- On Friday, Casey & I went to dinner with his office at Spencer's. We had a nice time, and the kids were able to go to the Hogle Zoo with Mike & Lori, and Noelle & Marshall. They loved it, and maybe one of these days I can get a hold of some of the pictures of that night.
4- Ryllie's piano recital was Saturday the 13th. Casey had practiced with her tirelessly all week long so that she had it memorized and perfect. On Saturday morning she played her piece PERFECT. We were so proud of her. She played the "Chipmunk Song", you know the one that gets stuck in your head, but you can't just think of the song in normal voices, you think of it in those chipmunk voices, "Christmas, Christmas time is here! Me I want a hula hoop!" By the time her recital was done all I could think of was "AAALLLVVINN!"

Christmas Devotional

On December 7th, Casey & I had the opportunity to go to the Christmas Devotional at the Conference Center on Temple Square. Mike & Lori, and Noelle & Marshall came with us. The grounds on Temple Square were of course beautiful, and the Christmas decor inside the Conference Center was awesome. I had been to the Conference Center once before, but it was during the Olympics almost 7 years ago, so it has been a long time. I had forgotten just how massive the building is! It is so incredibly huge! The Devotional was wonderful, and just to be in the presence of the prophet was so neat. The Spirit was so strong, and the Tabernacle Choir was unbelievable! We watch the Tabernacle Choir every Sunday morning at 9:30am, but to hear them live was just incredible. I am so glad that we were able to go with some of Casey's family too, we always have a good time with them.

A little Out of Control this Holiday Season

Time to catch up with my December blogging! The first week of December consisted of a Karoake birthday party for my friend Kristin. Me and my neighbor friends got a little looney singing HSM & 80's karoake. It was pretty hilarious! Thanks Renee and Daniella for planning the party. I kinda like putting the kids to bed early so I can go play!
On the 4th we celebrated my brother Javin's birthday at his clubhouse. Happy birthday my rockin bro! On the 5th we were able to go to Summer's Dance recital and as always she was the star of the show. Casey was suppose to be on a campout with the scouts, and last minute

they decided to just camp in my backyard. Funny thing, they didn't end up sleeping outside, they slept up in the toy room, and played Rock Band till 2am. This group of deacons are all such cool kids, and they had a blast on this campout. They got home bright and early just in time for the Ward Christmas Breakfast. It is definitely December! Busy, busy, busy! That wraps up the speed version of the first week of December.

Playing Dress Ups

The Folkman's

I met the Folkman's when I was 19 and was basically a nanny/tutor/mother's helper for them. I had an instant friendship with them and now almost 14 years later they are a second family to me and I love them dearly. They are so good to my family and treat my kids like their own grandchildren (Laura doesn't have any yet, so we let her claim ours for her own) :). Since Breanne came home a couple of weeks ago, we have been able to see them a lot the last couple of weeks. They have had us over for Sunday dinner and always make these amazing meals for us. This past Sunday, Rachel needed some pictures of my kids for a school project she has been working on, so I was able to get a copy of the pictures, and some of them turned out darling I think. Thanks Rach for taking the pictures!