Christmas Eve

 

tenta-cool

Vivian tried out for a play, The Little Mermaid, and she made it!

It was competitive with more than 160 kids trying out for 60 spots. 

We were so excited she got cast as a tentacle and a rainbow fish.

She really expanded her comfort zone with performing and did an amazing job!

One of the highlights of 2021.

 

abe phones home

 

pre-christmas

A few things to soak in the season.

Midway's small town Christmas was a highlight.

Real reindeer, Mr. & Mrs. Claus, and a huge paper bag of treats.

hoping for a tamagotchi, an Ozobot, and a magic set:)

I think it was the first time Vivian has come close to Santa's lap since this:

One of my favorite pre-Christmas activities is watching the Salt Lake Children's choir in the Cathedral of the Madeleine. I was in this choir for a few years when I was young and so it's full of nostalgia for me as well as culture for my kids. The acoustics are amazing. Such a beautiful night.

oh, and Vivian is SURE she saw the real Santa at the grocery store, decked out in his Santa suit with gold trim.  Dave asked the teenage store clerk if his credit card said Santa and he said, "YES."

PROOF for VIVIAN this year.

Still a believer.

 

Thanksgiving 2021

Thanksgiving traditions are one of my favorite things. 

My mom was a super hero when it came to making traditions and consistently 

doing them and I know she is trying her hardest to 

endure to the end.  My kids really love her traditions.  

Thanksgiving includes:

her famous pie crust

homemade chicken noodle soup with klosures (from gma glysmeyer)

seven layer jello

thanksgiving bingo for dollars and chocolate dollars

The day after Thanksgiving traditions included:

setting up the Christmas village with gpa and cousins

and gpa would take the girls Christmas dress shopping.

Viv made her first pie crust.

gma and susanne dishing up soup

max and ben hang the lights on gma's tree. she loves having this tree all lit up

 and my dad usually took care of it

Sadie and Ben kept the tradition of the village alive for the younger cousins this year.

and gma gave each of the girl cousins a $100 bill to go shopping.

Vivian had so much fun. 

She told me she had never been actual shopping at the mall before. 

I felt a little like a hillbilly and also kinda proud.

 

county ball

Kai continues to kill it in county ball

and continues this face for every picture taken of him.

 

Halloween 2021

Vivian and her friend, Amelie, dressed up like Elphaba and Glinda from the broadway musical Wicked.

They nailed it!  Such a fun night.  I was slightly afraid Vivian would be green for 

a week, but it only lasted a couple days:)

cousin party:)