The Beeston Family: January 2016

Sunday, January 17, 2016

New Year's Eve!

Earlier that day, we went to the park, because this is Arizona, and we can do that in the winter, in short sleeves. Logan was very brave (or fearless? careless? crazy?). Anyway, I had to stop him at one point because I was getting major anxiety. I can't even believe this is something they have at a park, with no supervision other than the parents, and nothing to catch the kids' fall.

Later that day, my parents flew in. That night, we had a cheese fondue, lasagna (which few people ate because they were still full from the fondue), and cheesecake.
And for the New Year's Eve festivities (at 7 PM), silly strings, sparklers, small fireworks, snap-its, smoke bombs, and snuggles during an early countdown. All S's, I just noticed. Haha.

Happy New Year 2016, y'all!!!

Christmas Countdown Fun

December is such a busy month! Between all the activities, parties, shopping, and all the usual activities, it's hard to really focus on the true meaning of Christmas. We tried to teach and remind the kids that Christmas is not about receiving, and it's not about gifts, but the world is teaching them otherwise. I just hope we're doing a good job. And I hope they're listening to us... because it doesn't always seem like they are.

We decorated the tree! We usually do it right after Thanksgiving. This year, we were a week into December. Oh, well... It was also our first fake tree in 4 years. And I kinda enjoyed not having a clean up needles all the time.

We went to a Christmas, cookie decorating, and hot chocolate bar party at the kids' swimming club.

We went to a Christmas, gingerbread boy decorating, and holiday crafts party at the kids' school.

I attended Taylor's Christmas party at school (and forgot to take pictures), then Kendall's (and made up by taking lots of pictures). I had attended Logan's Halloween party, so that's why I only went to Taylor's. When your kids are in different classes and have parties at the same time, you gotta make it work, somehow. I make it work by taking turns.

We went to the Mesa Temple Lights. I would have loved to feel the Christmas Spirit, especially in such a beautiful place and at such a beautiful time, but the kids were in a crabby mood, and it kinda ruined the whole thing. William and I both caught the bug, too, and we went home.

Christmas Sunday. And the last in our ghetto ward.

Santa DID bring the kids gifts.

I didn't take a whole lot of pictures, but the kids were super excited about their gifts and played with them all day, until we went to the movie theatre to see the new Alvin and the Chipmunks movie. I also got to talk to my whole family from Belgium; cousins, aunt, and uncles. Everybody! It was awesome! Except for the fact that I hadn't anticipated it and looked like crap, and I had a migraine, and I threw up on the way back home... but I opened the window a little too late and a lot of the throw up ended up in the car and in my hair. I know, gross!!! Merry Christmas to me!!!

Elf on the Shelf

Last year, I got really tired of moving Crystal, our Elf, 24 times. So this year, I only did it for 12 days. I gotta say, I enjoyed that a whole lot more. Here is what our Elf was up to in the 12 days leading up to Christmas.