'Tis the Season

It has not slowed down here, but we didn't expect that it would. We're busy because our life is full, so we're tired but we're smiling. In general, I wouldn't recommend closing two real estate deals, starting to move and planning the details of a home renovation over the holiday season...but we have been fortunate in every way. The timing makes things complicated, but this is just how the pieces came together. So far we've been able to fit in everything we wanted to do for the holidays, and this Christmas should prove to be just as great as ever!

Today has been our only free day with no meetings or plans on the agenda for probably this whole month. We did a lot of packing and a lot of narrowing down plans for renovation materials, and we stayed in our pajamas for a long, long time because we could. It was heavenly. The camper trailer has been packed full of bikes and all the large recreational things from the garage, and it is now parked comfortably next to the casita at the new house. It fit like a glove in it's new spot, which is just another reason why I believe that this house was meant for our family. We sold a washing machine on Craigslist while we were over there and took care of a few other odds and ends, and then we took the troops south to Mesa.

While searching for a place to eat before checking out the lights at the Mormon Temple, we stumbled upon a park full of food trucks. It was right across the street from the Temple, so we walked over after finishing our various steak sandwiches, mac and cheese, etc. I'd always heard about the Temple lights but had never, ever been. Of all the Christmas festivities we've done this month, I think I've enjoyed this night the most. If you've never seen the lights, it's definitely worth the trip. It was such a nice family outing.

Taking selfies while D put the cover on the trailer.

Little mac and cheese monster!

I'll back it up right now and review the week that we just completed. D took off on Monday, and I had to work in the morning, so the boys kicked off the week with my parents. After that, our week proceeded in the usual way. I did take the boys on our own little Christmas light tour on Monday night after visiting with some out-of-town cousins at O.H.S.O. I found our light tour to be less fun than when Dylan is the guide, but it was still worth the effort. I know the boys enjoyed it. G and I visited his school for his class Christmas party on Wednesday morning, and we stayed out all day until we finished swim class in the afternoon.

Bubble baths at Nonna's house are their favorite!

Christmas crafts with Nonna!

Gavin cut out, colored, and pasted the wheels on this car. We have quite the crafter on our hands.

Opening his Millennium Falcon, a gift from Grandpa for his birthday.

One stop on our Monday night light tour.

School Christmas party

This little goofball was more entertaining than the swim lesson.

Dylan made it home in time on Thursday to get the boys from school and then took them directly to Chick-fil-A. They were so happy to see their dad. On Friday morning, they all went down to the gas station for donuts and made it back home pre-7am. I was thankful for the time alone at home, even if it was just a half hour. Then, I was off to the new house to meet with various people while Dylan stayed back with the boys and took care of the fun job of having our septic tank pumped.

From there, Gavin and I made it to an early get-together at John and Fran's house for an epic pasta making session. Fran had her daughter and sisters-in-law over to stuff noodles and make ravioli in preparation for their Christmas festivities, and she was kind enough to include me. I had a great time and brought home a pan of the delicious pasta, myself. Gavin was super shy around the other kids but eventually opened up to John and turned into quite the chatterbox. He told John, "When we move to our new house, my lucky little brother will get to sleep in the bunk bed with me. " I did a full 20-minute session in their state-of-the-art massage chair, and eventually we made it home in the mid-afternoon. We took a second trip out in the early evening for grocery shopping and errands, and then wrapped up the night by stopping at our favorite neighborhood for Christmas lights. I enjoyed the light-viewing experience a lot more from the passenger seat.

Pasta makers!

My two little turkeys giggling their hearts out all through Safeway.

But the highlight of the night was watching the rocket blast off from Vandenburg in the western sky. We were putting the kids back in the car after checking out some Christmas lights when Dylan saw it blast off and told me to look. I didn't know whether to be excited or scared. Was it aliens? Or a missile/nuke? He caught the whole thing on video. Our minds were completely blown watching this occur, but the other people walking around the neighborhood didn't seem too fazed by it. He sent the video to his buddies who confirmed the SpaceX rocket launch from LA in a matter of minutes. So, basically, it was a dream come true for Dylan to witness this because he holds a special place in his heart for Elon.

And that brings me to today...which has already been reviewed. We have a fun-filled couple of days ahead of us, and I plan to enjoy every minute. Best wishes to all for a very merry holiday.