Visiting Santa

Monday morning we went to Costco. I figured after a busy weekend that the store would not be so crazy. Oh no, it was just as crazy. I grabbed diapers and a couple other items then got out of dodge. Evelyn wanted a hot dog since it was close to lunch, yum. She insisted on sitting at a table across the aisle from me. Maybe I was embarrassing her! LOL. For FHE this week we drove out to see the Christmas display at the Mesa Temple. It was impressive and felt a bit like SLC Temple minus the freezing cold. The kids were so excited to run around and admire all the lights. Justin met us at the temple on his way home from work. My favorite nativity display outside was the Fontanini creche. It was so stunning. The kids thought they would freeze because it was under 70 degrees outside! Inside the Visitor's Center we walked through a room full of worldwide Nativity displays. A Sister missionary suggested the kids keep an eye out for the Taiwan display. We found it in the last case, a tiny creche painted on grains of rice. Everett is one of our loud kids, he does not know how to whisper. The entire time he complained and whined over not finding the right Taiwan nativity. A choir started a performance around 7 pm, we did not stay long since Evelyn and Josie both started to loudly cry.  For dessert we had ice cream cones at the Diary Queen sharing the same parking lot as our van. It was close and convenient. The older kids all ordered hot chocolate! Yum. I indulged in a delicious butterscotch dipped cone...that Evelyn ended up eating for me. 

Tuesday the girls and I headed up to Justin's work. We had to sign some loan documents in front of a notary for the Sidney house closing. That date was pushed back to the end of December, a bit of a bummer. I am relieved we even have a buyer, so no complaints here. Evelyn and Josie looked adorable dressed up in Christmas clothes. Josie ran through the hallways and cubicle aisles giggling and laughing. I enjoyed watching folk's faces change from intense concentration to amusement. She is such a happy little girl. For lunch Evelyn instructed me to drive to Jimmy John's, once again, no complaints. Justin and I enjoyed unwiches, no bread versions of our sandwiches. Evelyn let me braid her hair into an Elsa crown. Phillip got to visit Mesa Temple with his Wolf den! He was very excited to go again. I hear he told the Sister missionaries all about our family 25 days of Christmas service project. It is fun to #lighttheworld again this year. 

After school on Wednesday we headed to the park for a couple hours. The boys brought their homework to do there. We had such a great time outside. We rode our bikes, even Everett. He wanted to show me his new bike riding skills. The kids rode figure 8's in the parking lot for a good 30 minutes. Evelyn is quite proficient riding her balance bike. Last week I got a new extended seat since the original seat was just an inch too short. Amelia really needed a break from moping. Her friend Lars sent her a new note saying he hates her now. He is moving schools and got a new love interest there. Amelia taped an appropriate note on her door: 5th grade boys are dumb! Yep! Agreed. She cried for a bit then decided it was not worth crying over since she did not really even like him that much to begin with. I finally got a glimpse of Lars, he is handsome. 

I went out holiday shopping a couple nights after the kids were asleep. I tried to get a couple items for the older kids while food shopping with the little girls. Evelyn immediately told the kids what I got. Guess no surprise shopping with her! 

Amelia and I went out on a date Friday. I took her to Claire's so she could pick out a couple gifts for herself and a BFF gift for Katelyn and Rachel. She was so goofy the entire time. I loved her silly side. Loved that she could be silly in pubic and not worry about others. We admired all the unicorn accessories! She was pretty cold so we popped in and out of stores along the outside mall. She loved Hot Topic since they had amazing Pokemon items. 

Saturday morning we cleaned the house. Lots of yelling and stalling were involved. Justin's heart rate was a bit elevated! I kept up the heart rate with a wild ride around the highway exchanges. I was not paying attention to the map so missed a couple opportunities to head the right way. By then it was much too fun so kept up the charade. Eventually, I got turned in the right direction. By that time Justin had a map pulled up and monitored my progress, ready to jump in on any errors. LOL. We got Christmas outfits on to visit Santa at Bass Pro this year. May as well keep up with tradition. Bass Pro...Cabela's...same difference now. Justin had to get passes, a time to come back and visit with Santa. Our time slot was 3:30 over 3 hours away. We had lunch then Justin dropped the kids and I off at the park. He went to see if a tire place could look at the tire balance for the van tires. Half the playground was blocked off so I was done after an hour, we had to wait an extra hour, near torture for me. Josie loved to wander off, I'd locate her climbing up some dangerously high ladder. She gave me several near heart attacks. Phillip was so proud he climbed to the very top of the Eiffel tower structure. Amelia almost fainted several times while he was up there, thinking Phillip was close to falling. Evelyn had doggy ears for pony tails! She reminded us of Harley Quinn, personality and looks alike. The kids had a wonderful time chasing the pigeons!  Justin finally picked us up. Guess I deserved the time out with the kids after my driving torture. We walked about Bass Pro for a while then headed over to the holiday center. The kids played at different stations while we waited our turn. Evelyn was terrified to sit on Santa's lap, yet she did and actually smiled. Afterwards she told me, "Mom, that was not Santa Papa!" I think we enjoyed the event! I rushed around at home to make cookies for our ward party. Justin went on a motorcycle ride. At the party the kids immediately joined the other kids sliding about on the gym floors. The committee decorated the gym so beautifully. It hardly resembled a church gym. The Primary kids performed the nativity while singing the Nativity Song. We forgot most of the verses! I know them all but got all mixed up after feeling flustered. At least the kids looked darling. Santa showed up at the end of the party! Santa twice in one day?! Lucky kids. All the kids asked for Hatchimals, Amelia went rogue and also asked for a Squishy. 

Sunday after dinner we drove about looking at Christmas lights. I heard about a crazy decorated street not too far away. The street was packed full of cars touring the area and families out walking the street. We parked and walked as soon as we could. The attraction of the night was rolling down a small, steep hill next to the parked van. Josie tried to run down the hill, biffed it big time. All the kids came home with headaches and sore tummies! Phillip even tried to roll down the hill and launch himself off a ramp stationed at the bottom. Justin and I both wondered if someone moved onto that street would they need to sign a Christmas light contract?!