What's Everyone Else Up To?

Brian has been busy at work and at home doing whatever needs to be done.  The other day he dreamed that he found rare currency worth a ton of money—definitely a good dream for Brian; he woke up happy.  His work party was last Monday, and we all went as a family.  It was nice having a family party instead of a couple’s party.  His Christmas gift from the school district was 2 movie tickets, so he and I went to the movies Saturday afternoon between Christmas parties.  He’s been suffering from a cold lately which really stinks, but feeling sick doesn’t stop him from being a wonderful husband and dad.

Lily and her parents are doing well.  We sent them a Christmas package and they got it on Friday.  They seemed to like the Joseph, Mary, and baby Jesus that I crocheted for them.  We also sent them each an individual gift.  They opened everything early because they won’t be home for the holidays—they are taking Lily to meet her other grandma for the first time.  They posted new cute pictures of the fam on their blog, which I love!  I hope they have a very Merry Christmas.

Jonathan has been the Santa Claus Junior of the family this Christmas.  I swear he knows more about what people are getting than I do, and I’m Mrs. Santa Senior!  He’s really been helpful telling us what people want and coordinating the buying of gifts.  This has been finals week for him and Matt.  I transferred money into their accounts so that they could buy some finals survival snacks.  I know it’s not much, but its something.  He and Matt come home today!!

Matt says studying for finals is going well for him.  I chatted with him on Facebook the other night which was fun even though he spent the whole time teasing me.  Actually, that was why it was so fun.  Jon is going back to college at the new year, but Matt will stay and prepare for his LDS mission.  He’s and Jon are planning to load all their stuff in the little pick-up, and head home this afternoon.  Suddenly I’m wondering where we’ll put everything all when they get here.  Matt’s got lots to do this next week—get photos and doctor’s appointments and send off his papers.  Pretty exciting.

Miriam has been singing her head off lately, I’m so proud of her!  She sang a solo—"What Child is This"—at our congregation’s Christmas party and again in our annual neighborhood Christmas play.  Her voice is so beautiful and she got tons of compliments.  I’m so proud of her!  She also performed with the school choir Wednesday at a beautiful Christmas concert.  We brought Brian’s mom with us and she loved it.  So did I, it really brought the Christmas spirit!  Tonight Miriam gets to go to a party which will really be fun for her.

Katrina has been busy with drama club counsel and is getting ready to begin tutoring for National Honor Society.  She has been accompanying Miriam when she sings “What Child is This.”  I had no idea that she played so well.  We went to Katrina’s choir concert last night.  They sang “Come O Come Emmanuel” and The Halleleuiah Chorus.  It was beautiful!  Katrina tried out and got a part in Beauty and the Beast.  She will be playing “the aristocratic woman.”  It has a few lines and a bit of singing.  I’m so excited for her!

Thomas also got a part in the school play.  He will be playing “Le Fool,” Gaston’s sidekick.  It’s pretty unusual for an eighth grader to get such a big part, so he’s pretty stoked.  Sadly, however, he had to quit wrestling because the practices conflict.  Bittersweet.  Thomas is sure looking forward to his brothers coming home tonight.  With Brian and I going out on a date and the two girls going to Christmas parties tonight, it will be just the boys at home.  They should really like that, especially if I get them a pizza and a couple of moviesJ