Finishing out the Year

I have put off blogging because my blog says my photo quota is full. I am trying to decide what to do about that. I didn't realize it kept all pictures from any of my blogs and they all counted against one amount. I took all the pictures off of my recipe blog, just so I could post Christmas.

Anyway-

We had a relatively quiet week following Christmas- up until heading out to the Big City so Middle and the Girls team could have the opportunity to play a game against the Lady Grizzly team. Let's just say- they could have fared much worse. We only had a handful of players with any experience to speak of- and Middle is one of those. Three of the most experienced players were off with their traveling team. The DR ended up coaching- which was pretty hilarious because he doesn't know hardly any of the girls or what their abilities are. But it was a good experience for the girls.

We then drove home on New Years Eve- leaving Middle to come later with cousins, and then Oldest went to the dance, leaving me, youngest, and the DR home to ring in the New Year. We did so with the DR on the computer all night trying to finish up coaches training modules; and youngest and I making a fool of me playing Just Dance 3 and Extreme sports. Let it be known- I can count on one hand the number of times I have played any of the gaming systems we have- but I did get a good workout :) Maybe I better break out the wii workout program that I have never used. I am sure Just Dance 3 is much easier without anyone else around. If I only knew how to turn any of that stuff on. :)

A relatively quiet end to a boisterous year.

Merry Christmas 2011

This Christmas season has been a busy one, but Santa did make it to our house, and Middle, the DR, and I sang with the choir in Sacrament Meeting, despite the DR being sick with a cold and his voice giving out.

Outpatient and LOL were with her family, but thanks to modern technology- also known as facetime- they were with us in technological spirit while we opened most of our presents after we returned from church. There was something rather peaceful about getting up, finding out Santa had arrived, then eating breakfast, getting ready for church, attending church, and then coming home and leisurely opening gifts. I wish Christmas was on Sunday every year.

The DR managed a huge surprise for me- he gave me an iPad- and I didn't suspect a thing! Santa brought the girls new nightstands, hoodies, and other goodies- including a itouch for youngest and a new helmet for Middle. Oldest and Middle also got new hockey bags- with wheels! Oldest also got a new itouch to replace the casualty from this past summer, and a hoodie. We were all very spoiled- especially me.

Afterwards- I took a major nap- aparently missed my inlaws coming to see the patients. Later- we went to their house, opened presents from them and visited with my SIL and her family who were visiting from Washington.

Then- the best Christmas present of all- the return with honor of our nephew after serving the Lord for two years in Fortelza Brazil- it was a little bit priceless to see the shocl on his face as we introduced him to Facetime- so he could talk to Outpatient.

I hope the holiday season has been full of peace and joy for you and yours- Merry Christmas!

Weekly ReCap- Dec 12-18

Another crazy week- but not quite as busy.

Monday was typical- then on Tuesday, the patients had a piano performance- nothing too critical, they performed Christmas music for the residents of a retirement care home where our sister in law's mother lives-  We call her Grandma Billie.  It went well- but it was crazy busy with normal schedule plus trying to get to that with everyone dressed appropriately.  They played well- and the only bad for the day, was that although I did all the Tuesday stuff- I kept thinking it was Monday at the same time and I forgot a major part of my work stuff :(  . 

Wednesday- we ended up doing Tithing Settlement after an appointment- so that was last a surprise-  but finally- we were almost!!  all in one spot at the same time.  We had to give up on 100% attendance because that wasn't going to be possible.

Thursday things finally started to slow down a little.  Friday we headed out to go to see the lights at Temple Square, go to dinner at the Garden, and then on Saturday- to play two hockey games (both big wins) and for me to literally get 10,000 steps in just trying to get some shopping done- because Christmas was only a week away!!!  I have not had a minute so I am way behind.

I also taught RS this week.  Not my best lesson, but many sisters seemed to appreciate it.  Just wished I had felt more in control of my thoughts and calmer in spirit- but that is hard to do when you get up at 5:00 in the morning to drive 3 hours home and get there just in time to get everyone showered and dressed in time for church.

Another crazy week down-  one more to Christmas.

Weekly ReCap- Dec 3-11

Well- possibly one of the busier weeks we have ever had- or at least in a really long time.

Saturday the 3rd there were games in a town 7 hours away. Thanks to the weather and mountain passes, it took closer to 8 going and 9 coming back. Youngest and I stayed home. 

We have had the regular lessons, practices, plus extra for special numbers, and then Oldest decided to scare us by getting sick- so we hurried him in to the doctor to be very proactive and head off pneumonia before it got him again.  So- on Wednesday- we had a dr appt, hockey, piano times 2- ward Christmas party for which I had not one- but two food assignments, Middle and Oldest's SEOP's, Youngest -Activity day.  Fun stuff.

We also threw three haircuts in there on Thursday and Friday, and dress rehearsal for TaVaci Christmas concert- which Middle couldn't do because she and I were on our way for her to play hockey with the team from my birth town.  She hasn't had games in a month with them- so of course it was this weekend.  She played very well-  she plays defense- and had a rating of +2 in both games- which means her team scored two goals while she was on the ice- and no goals were scored against her line.  This is a very good thing.  They tied the first one on Friday night, and won the second one on Saturday Morning.  She and I then jumped into the car and sped the couple of hours home so she could get to the TaVaci concert.

Meanwhile, Oldest and the DR were also doing hockey in Small Town on Saturday morning and made sure that Youngest made it to the rehearsals.  Luckily LOL was here to help with hair or we wouldn't have made it to the concert in time.

Friday we finally forced in time to get the tree decorated- it has been standing in the corner for a week, waiting for someone to love it-, and to get our Christmas decorations out and set up.  Only the 10th-  gee, we are so on top of it  :)

We were supposed to have a company party-  but we said there was no way possible we would be attending that- since it was scheduled for Saturday night and we just had enough going on without traveling a couple of hours out of town just to turn back around and be home that night.

 Middle also had to speak in Sacrament Meeting. The DR spent all of Sunday at the church with Tithing Settlement.

One more week of out of the ordinary, super crazy, and then Christmas will be here.  I am not ready. Can't imagine why.

Happy December CeLeBrAtIoNs!

Happy Day Wishes to:

Jason

DJ


Amy and Aaron


Addie


Cadence
Josh and Whitney



David and Cony



Russ


Amy


Dave
Chelsi


Harvey


Asher


Grandpa John


Dustin


Teisha


Bronson

HeadNurse Brag Moment

Youngest just came home from school today with an award for earning the highest score in the whole school district on the language part of the NWEA.

This particular patient didn't speak normal English until she was over 3 years old- she spoke some sort of Adamic language- gibberish something or other- lots of it, but not more than about 20 words that we could understand.  But then, she turned around and taught herself how to read when she was 4.

Very proud of her!  She is a smart cookie and definitely one of a kind.