Moving/December

I swear, if I wasn't so lazy I would count how many times that has been my post title.

The move has finally gotten going and we are packing and cleaning like crazy.  This time around has been a lot easier because Danny had a pretty easy finals schedule and has been able to help a lot. We try to do some things when the babies are awake, but typically just work as fast as we can during nap times.  The hardest part of this move is sorting everything. We are packing things to go to Grandma's, things to take to the Leiningers where we'll be until Jan. 1, and things to go into storage.  It feels like every box is marked MISC.  Amidst all the packing, we've managed to have a little fun this Dec.

One of our favorite things about living in UT has been seeing our friends. We have had monthly get-togethers and have loved having fun with these awesome people. This month we got to go out to dinner without the kiddos one evening and had a Christmas party at Oz and Lillians'.

 Lucy was the star student one week and I got to go to class with her and talk about her. We made this poster together and then went up and talked about all the specific things she loved to do. My favorite part was at the end every kid in the class asked her a question about herself. It was really fun and I think Lucy liked being the center of attention.

 We packed our kitchen pretty early so we've been forced to go out pretty often:) One night we went out to city creek to go to the Apple store and the kids loved playing at this indoor playplace in the food court.

 The girls have not minded all the boxes. Its like Christmas came early to them!

 Last week our stake hosted a nativity. There is a beautiful bird sanctuary and walking path by the stream a couple blocks north of our house and they take over the whole thing. Brother Asay from our bishopric was a centurion watching the gate into Bethlehem. The "actors" were in period costumes. Women walked around with pita bread and dates, there was hot chocolate and bagels. The path was lined with luminaries and tiki torches leading you to Bethlehem. There was a camel along the road that the kids thought was awesome. Once you reach there stable there were Wise Men, Shepherds with sheep up on the hill and a donkey in the baby Jesus' stall. The Leavitts played the Holy Family. Afterwards you walk up the hill and get to pet some cows and sheep if so desired. It was so well done. With no Christmas decorations up at our house-it really made us feel Christmasy.

We went down to Bajio one last time. Riverwoods is really pretty at Christmastime and we loved waling around. The best part is seeing Becca who is working in the North Pole wrapping presents this season. We went in to the Beach Resort to ride the carosel and only managed a pic on the wave.

 We sold our couch!!! Praise heaven the couch is finally gone. I don't know if I've mentioned here how much I HATED that couch. It was a great, comfy couch and didn't deserve my hatred, but I couldn't help it. I sold it for $100 and someone came to get it hours after it was posted. As a result we brought up the love sac to sit on for the week. It was not as easy to move up the stairs as we expected...but Lucy got a kick out of us pushing and pulling it.

 Lydia loves any attention she can get. Lately she gets positive attention when she kisses things-mostly me:) Yesterday she came up and kissed baby Jesus right in front of me and then beamed like she was the cleverest, most adorable girl in the world. She is.

 As I mentioned, we packed our kitchen on Saturday. Not a great idea when you have to stay home to eat on Sunday. Danny thought he could make crepes for us. With only a bit of left over wheat flour, no recipe, no mixing bowl and no measuring cups he made these delicious crepes. He is amazing.

We went to our ward for the last time. I was surprisingly emotional.  The positive part was that we got to bust out the Christmas dresses. I found Lucy's at DI for $4 and the babies are hand me downs. Sweet. Unfortunately it was seriously windy and cold out and I was the only one smiling.  (Danny was still sick so he stayed in jammies that day).

 And then when it was just about to get cute...

 Joyce lost it.

 Just after we washed all the windows inside and out-we hit a storm. It has been snowing for three days now. Fortuantely I think the winodws are salvagavble with needing to be compeltely re done. We decided to enjoy our last snow of the winter:)

Lydia learned how to make a snow ball.

 and eat one.

 My favorite smile in the world.  I love her little toothy grin. She doesn't often smile much around other people, but I hope she starts showing this grin off more.

 Lucy LOVES the snow and had a great time throwing it and rolling in it.

While I was packing the babies found their Halloween costumes waiting for storage. They don't want to take them off! They finally learned there respective animal sounds and they walk around mooing and quacking.

 I wish I got a better picture of this. For some reason this is always how it is. Lyd hops on/in something and Joyce pulls/ pushes her around. I just love what a kick Joyce was getting out of it.