December 2024 Shenanigans

 Look Mark! I'm about to finish 2024 😆. Proof that I can indeed do hard things.

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We started December off with a surprise trip to Gentri! The girls have come to love them after hearing me listen and were so excited to walk into the theatre and find out we were staying! Greg happily took Quince home while we stayed to enjoy the music. The girls were tired, and definitely the youngest people there, but they had a magical time and it was fun to be there with them!

It's become a tradition to let the girls each pick 1 thing to "give" from the Giving Machines.

December 2024 was a fun month. The girls were at such fun ages and we were able to squeeze in some fun amongst the magic and service.

Greg takes the girls shopping without me every year so they can pick me something out for Christmas. Quincey chose one morning to unwrap what she helped pick me out, and I was dying! She sure was sneaky.

Claire's teacher made a gingerbread cookie out of every student. They were hilarious.

We had the annual Spjute Christmas Program at the Old Folks Home.

Matching beanies made by Mom!

I found Sof without arms and legs on the couch one morning, freezing, because she refused to wear pajama's appropriate for winter.

It snowed, so we took the girls sledding!

Greg took the girls to a Jazz Game and had the best time! The entertainment they have added at the top of the Delta Center is pretty cool for kids to play on.

We went to Texas Roadhouse for Sister's Night. The service wasn't great and the girls were going crazy. Needless to say, we won't be going back :).

Wicked!

It had been a while since I had seen my Grandma Jolley. I wasn't able to go to her previous birthday, and her health wasn't doing so great, so I took a quick trip down and back to be with her in her home on her birthday. I sure love that lady. I was able to help her get ready for bed that night and treasure the one-on-one time I was able to have with her.

Sof had her Christmas preview for her gymnastics and did really well!

Ski day at Nordic! 

We went to the Ogden Ski Swap this year and were able to get updated ski gear for me and the girls. We got new goggles, helmets, ski boots and ski's (for me). Today was the day to try everything out.

Sometimes I'm able to sneak onto the ski lift.

Sofi and Claire can ski for free until they are 12. Being the (cheap) stellar parents that we are, we send the up the ski lift by themselves and for the most part it works out okay. 

The one and only time Quince rode on the magic carpet with me before politely being told to get off :).

The ride home - someone had fun in the snow.

The countdown to Christmas was on! The girls had fun eating and decorating their own Gingerbread houses. 

Who knows what Sof was doing. She was probably dutifully decorating her house while these 2 carnivores were busy chewing.

The Spjute Christmas program was at the Johnson's house. We have a funny book about a Snail who likes things quiet (aka Greg) so Claire reenacted it for everyone while Sofi read it.

The Thorley's found a day to all be together as well! We do cousin gifts every year and it's become a fun tradition.

Christmas Eve.

On the off years, when everyone else is at their in-laws, we have made it a tradition to have a special Christmas Eve in our home. It's too far and difficult to transport everything to Cedar, so we do our best to have fun at our home in Kaysville. We have a little nativity reading, open Christmas Jammies, and read stories around our Christmas Tree. It's small, but we are together, and it is one of my favorite things.

Christmas Day!

I normally admire Greg for his confidence whenever it comes to him not caring about other people's opinions, but I can honestly say that walking into the Farmington Station Cinemark dressed as this, with a fanny pack slung on his shoulder was a new experience. I was embarassed 🤣. I walked far enough behind him that I hoped no one knew we were going in together.

And he had the audacity to strike this pose after the movie. He is hilarious.

We got home in time to have Feliz Navidad (Chile Rellenos, red rice and Salsa) for dinner. Claire decided to try them this year and was hooked.

What a fun day.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a Good Night!

The next day, Greg took Sof and Claire back up to Nordic. There was a bunch of fresh Christmas powder, and the girls did great!

We like to play "pile on" before prayer. Greg is a trooper.

Quince found a marker. She was pretty thorough - notice the color of her tongue.

I love the Grand America windows. It's become a fun thing for us to do. We have found it not to be as busy after Christmas, and the toy shop is rarely open, so it's a double win.

New Years Eve!

We aren't big party animals when it comes to New Years Eve, but we do go to Get Air and let the girls participate in the balloon drop they have every year. It's fun, and it's at noon, so while the girls are young, they are still semi-appeased.

Greg materialized sparklers from somewhere and let the girls wave them around in the dark before we put them to bed. It was fun, quick, and easy. All good things.

What a year! The girls continue to grow, we continue to have challenges, but we find ways to smile amidst the hard. It's not until I look back that I'm able to realize how blessed we truly are.