We have had a busy and fun month. While Grace was at a party one night, Garreth and I took the boys to the Rock Springs Christmas party downtown. We got to see the mayor light up the big Christmas tree.


And we had hot chocolate at the Historical Museum, where we met the RSHS Tiger mascot. Declan and Sam were very excited about that.
Then we watched the light parade. Wow. I was expecting about 5 entries, a la Preston Festival of Lights Parade, but no. This parade was huge! I'm a big fan of parades, Garreth is not, and the kids like them as long as the weather is good. That night it was not - it was actually pouring rain. So I was very grateful that the men in my life stuck it out for me because I thought it was great fun.
Decorating gingerbread houses / trying to stuff as much as candy in their mouths as possible.
Making Christmas ornaments:



I've always loved popcorn garland on Christmas trees and this year I finally made it happen for our tree. We strung cranberries and popcorn while watching the first presidency devotional, which Sam said was the "funnest thing we've ever done!"
He and Declan were enthralled by the air popper. (And shirtless because of the painting of the ornaments, as seen above!)

I love the way they look on the tree, and after Christmas we're going to hang them outside for the birds to eat. I am predicting a new family tradition.
I got my laundry room painted and done. Garreth was gone this time, too (I get bored and lonely at night without him) and when he called, I told him that I was painting it a lovely lavender color and would use lots of bright red and green accents on the walls. To which he said, "That sounds nice." AHA! He really does think I have wacky taste!
I think he was relieved to come home and discover that it was really just light brown.

Not very exciting, but I like it. And I'm the one who spends half my life in this room.

We have been loving all the snow! Today was the first day of Christmas break and the kids went out to play on the snow-covered dirt hills at the construction site across the street. So I dusted off my cross-country skis and started skiing up and down the street. (Yeah, I'm dorky like that.) Well, the kids saw me and became a little obsessed with trying it out.

They did so great, especially for using my boots, skis, and poles! And they loved it! Too bad their Christmas presents are all bought because this could become a new favorite family activity!




With all the fun things going on, there have been hard times, too. After getting a cough and wheeze that wouldn't go away, our pediatrician put poor Declan on twice daily preventative breathing treatments for two months. It's not easy, but he is very good about sitting down to take them every morning and night, and even insists on doing them himself. Tough little guy.
Asthma sucks!