So Miranda came home from her mission a couple weeks early to have some surgery, but I have this great excuse to still write our family history down, since her novio is still on his mission in Paris, France for the next year. So until May 9, 2019, I'll still write a missionary letter for our blog posts. =)
Here's the letter you should have gotten last Sunday night!! I'll be writing this week's tomorrow. =)
And
And then Derek turned FOURTEEN. Monday's breakfast in bed: McGriddle, etc. because Jeff was up all night anyway, and ran to McDonald's at 0:dark thirty. =)
After school we had a little club started at our house. Posted with a sign-up pencil and everything. Meeting in Room 145.
For FHE, we had flu shots. Everyone was so excited!!! Sorry, but I'm going to document each person's reactions. Mom being brave for everyone... "You want to get this shot - It is the best! Not getting this shot is the worst!!"
Connor was pretty brave. It was over so fast!
Derek, pretty easy... I mean, when your brother tells you to make your sexy face again, you do it.
And then he makes the face, too.
Halle hadn't been in the room to see anyone else's shot, so I was very impressed with how little fuss she made.
But Kierste hadn't been able to see Halle's arm right there, either, and somehow got it in her head that Jeff had to put the whole syringe in her arm... she was FREAKING OUT. We didn't realize she thought that until it was over and she was surprised it wasn't jammed into her arm. Dang it.
Right after, we opened Derek's bday presents. He really wants to buy himself a new phone, so he just wanted money. He's trading a party and presents for cash.
And made it rain.
My cousin took this on a walk that night, so I wanted to include our sky, since she lives so close to us; same sky.
Tuesday, Miranda took her friend Moroni out to show him the real world, fresh off the Cochabamba mission. Incredibles 2 & Don Juaquitos street tacos. mmmmmmmmm!!!!
On Wednesday, the twins had a movie day for Activity Days. I'm their leader right now, and Ferdinand was such a cute movie!!!
I came home, dropped the twins off, and went straight to Pack Meeting for the littlest Madsen. That's my little Wolf saluting the flag.
Dropped the cub scout at home, ran back to the church for Young Women in Excellence, where Carlie did a great job of conducting the meeting. What a great experience to be Laurel president. And the "photo booth' afterward.
The XOnano pillow launched this day on Amazon! We ordered ours... the first product we've been able to touch and feel, out of our huge investment. Hopefully it's comfortable! It's not the product that will bring in all the money; it's just a side job to bring in some cash flow. There was a lot of wasted foam as they precision-cut pieces to go in other products, so the founder, Jake, said, Hey, let's capitalize on that!
On Thursday night, we went to the Alpine Living Nativity. It's a farm they set up as Nazareth, and you get led along with inn keepers telling you there isn't any room for you, guards, some of them on horses, telling you to move along and go pay your taxes, townspeople in character talking all around you, livestock to see & touch,
then a choir of "angels" singing as you wait to go into the last barn, where you can see a real live nativity scene.
Then you have to come home and drink hot chocolate.
On Friday night, Derek had his friends over to watch a movie, nice & simple; the deal was trading money for the party/ presents, so he provided his own snacks and kept it simple.
Connor had his own, typical party with the besties.
Saturday, we trimmed the tree... it's so awesome to get all the homemade and character ornaments out together. Everyone remembers when they made them and silly things about them.
Derek said this is me:
Saturday evening was our Ward Christmas dinner, and the first time Miranda had gotten to see & talk to her friend Nicole, who had returned from the Copenhagen, Denmark mission this week. They talked the whole time. =)
There was a photo booth set up on the stage, but I'm not sure anyone noticed that the picture of the North Pole was actually an awareness meme for global warming and where the North Pole should have been, if the ice weren't shifting and shrinking. Hahaha!!!
And the "camera crew" who would hold your phone for you at the booth.
Sterling was so picturesque, and then posed perfectly when I got my phone out. What a handsome cat.
And Chloe was jealous and wanted some of the attention. Fine, here's your portrait, too, One-Eyed Wonder... I mean, cute, sweet little lap dog.
Ah. This is my favorite.
Zeus got his "portrait" the next morning when we woke up to THIS on Sunday:
And so did Provo:
The kids were so excited to shovel the driveway after church. YESSSSSS!!!!
Ok, on this day, my cousin in NC posted some pics of a Cmas party they went to, and this couple just made me LOL. First of all, the husband wore that nasty hairy chest sweater with the ornaments hanging from the nipples and won the ugly sweater contest, as attested by his winner's sash. Second of all, I hope you can see his wife's sweater with the snow-woman and the little bitty snowbaby face beneath... oh my gosh it's cute.
Then, this picture, with them exchanging white elephant gifts... They're holding a People of Walmart coloring book. . . slow clap and then lol.'
Sunday, the older kids went up to Salt Lake with last-minute tickets to see the First Presidency Christmas program... so lucky!!!
I'm overjoyed at their desires for good. It really is all that matters.
Ok, MEMES!!!!
My cousin Jeff Goodsell started a line of clothes & products with his kids that they can sell together to get a little money on the side. It's called "It's Happening." Here's one of the images on their apparel, etc. One of my favorite ideas at Christmas: Santa bows to Jesus; Santa is secondary; Santa is important, but he knows what Christmas is really about.
Actual footage of Miranda modeling her dream winter outfit on the runway.
Because we know someone who speaks French:
Have a great week!!! xoxoxooooxoxoxoxooxxoxoxoxoxox
