December 2023

 December started with my work Christmas party.  Jim and I were able to go together and we enjoyed good food and good company.  My company has grown quite a bit, so lots of the activities and things we used to do at the party don't work for a group that big.  This year it was just a nice dinner with some brief words from a radiologist, a loaf of sweet bread and a gift card.  I am lucky to work with such a fun group of people.  I also joined a book club recently and it had been a few years since I had been a part of one.  We meet about once a month and take turns choosing the book.  

Jim had a jury duty summons and had to call in each Friday.  One day he was supposed to go in and stayed home from work, but it ended up getting canceled, and he never ended up having to do anything else.  Emmett continued doing physical therapy for his knee and the therapist thought that strengthening his hips would also be helpful.  Between his early morning weight lifting, practices, and physical therapy, he's staying quite busy and active.  Ezra continued with Taekwondo and Mathcounts.  He started earning stripes on his belt to get closer to advancing to the next level.  Elliott had indoor soccer trainings and he had his first piano recital.  It was in a big auditorium and he did great.  There were over 50 performances, but they moved right along.  We also did fun holiday things, like building a gingerbread house, celebrating St. Nicholas Day, and a fun Christmas reading night at Elliott's school.

We got to go to Oregon for Christmas.  We did quite a bit of back and forth between families in order to see everyone.  My sister and her family came from Texas.  We also got to meet Audrey's boyfriend, James.  We saw Christmas lights, hung out in homes, ate good food, played at parks, did puzzles, went hiking, etc. 

Christmas Eve Service

If you look closely, you will see Winn in this picture

Lots of quality cousin time

Mikaylee and Mark are really good at Bop-It

The Pepsi drive through lights

Spent some quality time with Maverick the cat

Went to the Beaver Store at OSU

During our trips at Thanksgiving and Christmas our dog got to hang out with his BFF Bori and was socialized with other dogs as well.  He loves going there and we are so glad that he is cared for so well in our absence.