December was lovely. Early in the month we got to join up with some of our Greencrest friends at Temple Square. We took the kids over to City Creek before hand to check it out. Poor Winston, our stroller seat was pretty much worn off, so he had to kind of perch on the end of it. (We got a new stroller.)
The Disney store is magic and chaos. Too many people for a curmudgeon like me, but man-oh-man. If I were ridiculously wealthy I would have a problem there. Eleanor loved the little movies they play in the back.
Temple Square Lights! Making families fights since... Just kidding, sort of. I do not like it all. I don't know what is wrong with me, yes it is beautiful, but I don't like being herded around and it's stressful when no one will wait for me, the slowpoke. Also, losing speedy one-year-olds was making me nervous. Does anyone remember last year's fun run? Yeah, I'm calling it: No more Temple Square until the kids are older.
However awful a mood I was in, it all truly melted when I saw these sweet faces. I love my old neighbors so much. I forget how much so and then when I see them I get instantly homesick for them all. Here is dear Eliza. She is always so sweet to Eleanor.
And Maddie. I payed her and Spencer a dollar to chase my kids when they got loose. Best money I ever spent.
E and E.
And little Benny! I can't believe how big he's grown. He talks and stuff!
Our family!
It really did turn into a special night with our friends, so we left in a wonderful mood.
We tied the balloon to his belt so we wouldn't lose either one.
Ann, me, Ruth and Benny. (And Maddie!)
Back at home, Eleanor loved decorating the tree. And redecorating and redecorating and redecorating...
Clayton grew his usual winter beard. He shaved it off into disgusting phases as usual and we took a few shots of the "suspicious van owner" version.
Or I suppose "gross hipster" mustache would work, too.
One day Eleanor tried on all of her swimsuits. ALL. Of. THEM.
Dressed up for the ward Christmas party. I love the coat she is wearing. It belonged to her cousin Abby (not Allie) who is now 15. Jennifer was going to sell it at a yard sale about 10 years ago and I stole it, kept it forever, and now she finally gets to wear it. Worth the crime, I am telling you.
This December Jack got baptized! He's such a doll, we just love him to pieces and are so proud of him for making this step!
Jack and my boys.
Winston playing with all the cars he could find. How he found so many in a house without little kids is beyond me.
My kids love Hannah's cat, Phoebe. Phoebe quickly tires of my kids, however, and escapes to a safe place. Can you find Phoebe in this picture?
Another night we had Allie over for a sleepover. The girls fell asleep in the car, well, one of them did. Can you guess who is faking? Hint: she could barely stop smiling for me to take the picture, also, it's not Allie.
Playing outside in the snow.
One night Eleanor says to me, "Mom. I've made a huge mistake." I was so proud of her for quoting Arrested Development that it took me a moment to see what she had done. Oh, just split the seam open on her micro-bead pillow and made it "snow". Aw, crap. 8 billion statically charged styrofoam beads the size of a pin head all over the carpet. (6 months later I am still vacuuming them up.)
Yet, for all her shenanigans, she looks like an angel as she sleeps.
At one of Abby's dance recitals, hugging Jack til he pops.
Keep on hugging! (Man, Abby is so photogenic.)
We also got to go to Allie's gymnastic recital. That kid is bendy!
She's the tall one in the middle of the bottom row.
The girls with grandma Judy.
I LOVE THIS PICTURE! It wasn't posed, neither one is looking at the camera, but it just cracks me up. This is pretty indicative of their relationship. Allie is patient with her little kid cousin who wants to follow her around like a puppy.
Allie is just the sweetest!
Shagan came to cheer her on as well. (Shane, and Megan... Shagan. Get used to it.)
The whole gang.
How freaking cute is this shot, I ask you.
And on another day, my cute neighbor, Muffin was over and we got visiting. Winston was being very quiet, too quiet. She went over to check and was like, "Um, Marianne? You might want to come check this out." Lo and behold, Winston had found my mom's pin cushion and was methodically poking each pin into the carpet. Pins and needles are truly Clayton's very worst phobia, so I had to REALLY check to make sure I got them all cleaned up. Winston had been at it for probably 10 minutes or so, I am really impressed he didn't poke himself once.
A close up shot so you can see what was going on here.
And Eleanor, being Eleanor.
Later in the month Clayton's parents took us out to Red Lobster for his birthday. So good!
More December to come!
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