Bits and pieces of our lives that made this month so sweet:
1. Dec 1-2, Six Garietys participated in our Stake's Christmas Concert, "A Child is Born." It is always such a meaningful way to prepare for the Christmas season, and this year, even better because 4 of our children were able to participate as well. Dallin played in the orchestra, Daphne sang with Arthur and I in the adult choir, and Sean and Hayden sang in the "Angel Chorus" (children's chorus).
This was the first year we've had this event in our stake that I wasn't directing it and it was both wonderful and sad for me. Wonderful to not have to stress about its success, but sad not to be the one choosing the program content and lead rehearsals. Sister Bishop who is now the Stake Choir Director was very gracious in inviting me to direct "Carol of Joy" which has become something of a tradition at our stake Christmas concerts. That experience was really a treat for me.
2. Since the focus died, Arthur bought a 2013 Volkswagon Passat. It has lots of fun bells and whistles and drives like a dream. My favorite feature is the seat warmers. I drive that car as often as I can just to enjoy the lovely seat warmers!
3. Dec 7--Light the World
We tried to do a little something each day for the Light the World initiative in the month of December. We missed a few days, but even just thinking each day about ways we can be more Christlike really made the season leading up to his birth so much more meaningful. December 7th was "Jesus Fed the Hungry and so can you." So we sent the kids in with lots of food for the canned food drive. I also worked at the food bank with one of the ladies I visit teach and had a great time serving there with her.
4. Dec 10th
The Light the World initiative for this day was about walking--"Jesus Helped People Walk and so can You." So we went for a walk and I pushed Nathan, who can't walk yet, in the stroller. It was a pleasant crisp evening and we caught the Sandias at the lovely "pink moment," my favorite time of day here in ABQ.
Here is Nathan, who enjoyed the walk just as much as I did!
6 months old, and still the cutest baby in the world. We are so lucky this little sweetheart joined our family.
5. Treats for our Bennett's preschool Christmas party at our house. They wore pajamas and had cocoa and popcorn with marshmallows and M&M's while watching Polar Express.
6. One of my favorite parts of December--The Christmas cards! These all came in one day, and was my favorite mail day of the month! I think that's a record for us.
8. Dallin got his learner's permit and is now driving! He will be license-eligible on June 20th. Not that anyone is counting.
9. Holidays are a great time for puzzles, and Sydney is a puzzle master. I love having a buddy to work on puzzles with me!
10. Dec. 24th: On Christmas Eve, a group from our ward went to volunteer at the food bank for a couple of hours. I took our four oldest, and we had a blast! If felt so great to serve the hungry in our community with wonderful friends from ward family! What a great way to spend Christmas Eve morning.
11. A funny little piece Sydney came home from school with:
12. I don't have any pictures of this, but we spent Christmas Eve night with our friends the Esplins for their traditional Shepherd's Dinner. We ate "Shepherd" food, and the kids sat on blankets on the floor to eat it. Then we read the nativity story and followed the shepherds to the manger, and ended the evening by playing christmas carols together on their homemade chimes!
