Christmas Eve & Christmas

 Just like the rest of the year, we celebrated Christmas Eve and Christmas differently this year.  Covid is still a problem.  At least that is what "they" say, but I'm not seeing it.  I'm grateful my family and loved ones have all been safe from the virus, but it makes it hard to really believe what could be.  We missed the big family get-together, but with masks on we still got some ice cream on the way to Kaysville.  We spent the evening eating dinner, decorating cookies, and having a dance party.  We had all these things planned like a game and some stories, but between it being Christmas Eve and all the sugar, we pretty much decided to not try to go with a schedule and just let the kids have at it.  

Christmas morning is different with older kids.  Not in a bad way, it just doesn't start as early.  Owen got up early and went to the gym, so I showered and woke up Davis and Gator when he got home.  Even with the later start time, Davis still had a hard time waking up. 

 

One more light night

 A few weeks ago I had an interview for a scholarship that I applied for.  I don't know the final decision of that yet, but the foundation gave those that applied a $100 bill to add more love and goodness to our life.  I knew right away I wanted to spend my money on an evening with my kids.  I bought tickets to a drive-thru light display and we got some dinner on the way to South Jordan.  I completely enjoyed myself, Christmas lights, my kids, and not having to make dinner.  The lights were awesome, and they had the best Santa I've ever seen.  

Silent Night

I love the story behind the Christmas song "Silent Night".  A musical family in my ward started a Facebook group and invited everyone to join them in singing Silent Night tonight outside at 6:00.  It has been a rough year, and I hope some of the magic of that Christmas Eve years ago was felt tonight by people singing.  The group grew to over 10,000 people from all around.  We didn't sound great, but it was still a pretty neat activity.  

Do some snow dances

We're over here praying for snow and lots of it.  Davis and Gator went skiing today, and they had a great time, they always do, we just desperately need some snow.  Joey wishes he couldn've gone along.  I didn't go this time, because there are so many strict rules with Covid, that I can't hang out in my normal cozy spot in the lodge.  I will find a new cozy spot on the patio by a fire, but they did invite me up for lunch after they were done skiing.  We went to an outdoor hamburger place, so we ate in the car, but it was delicious food.  And even better company!

District Champions

 The volleyball team was able to play a complete season despite Covid and a school closure and an all-sport closure as well.  They won district champions tonight.  I had to watch online, but I greeted the bus as they pulled in the parking lot and a very excited volleyball team got off cheering.  How fun!

After I picked up Gator from the game, we went to Layton with Lainee for cookies and Christmas Lights.  

More Christmas Lights

 Tonight we went to the Ogden Christmas Village.  Every year we visit here, but this year there are so many more lights.  It is beautiful.  One good thing about living in Ogden now is I drive by the park all the time and I get to see the lights a lot.  It was supposed to snow today, but I think it will be coming in later. I invited all my siblings, but I just think Christmas lights are something that I enjoy because I kept turning around and someone else was gone from the group.   That is okay, I will keep going to lights because it makes me happy.  After we came home and had hot chocolate and watched a movie.  December always goes so fast, there isn't enough time for all the lights and movies. 

 

My happy place

 Tonight we didn't have any big plans, but it was a perfect evening.  A night spent at home with my favorite people and friends.  We had dinner, some played games, some watched rodeo, some watched a Christmas movie, and we all ate too much junk food.  I love my family!!

Volleyball

 Somehow volleyball is still going.  The rules have gotten really strict and we are so close to going back into a soft closure at school, but I am so glad that volleyball is still going.  Gator is having a fun time, even though she doesn't play in the games, at the home games, they do a little scrimmage after and she is shining.  She is doing so good.  The team overall is undefeated so far.  I hope they get to finish and maybe win district champs because they are doing so good.  

Christmas Traditions

 I've got a couple of things that I do every Christmas.  One of them is a breakfast welcoming Ichabod.  Sadly none of the kids fall for the magic elf anymore, but it actually takes a little bit of pressure off me now because I don't have to remember to hide him in a new spot every night.  They still enjoy the breakfast that Ichabod "makes" though, especially the burnt bacon.  Oh my gosh, I am so mad.  I am looking for the picture I took at breakfast and it's gone.  How in the world did I delete a picture?  I am so mad at myself.  I mean obviously, I have lots of photos of my kids, but I made a deal with them to only take one single picture, and now it's gone and I don't have anything else.  I guess I will take a picture of some of the decorations since I will leave them up all season.  And I made each of them this ornament.

Another thing I like to do is watch Christmas movies with a treat to go along.  We recruited Krissy's family this year because the boys just don't really like my Christmas movies all that much.  Tonight we watched The Grinch and made Grinch cookies.