It didn't seem like we did much this week-- until I looked at the pics.

Additionally, it was a really fun week. 

Maybe some families are perfect, but in ours, some weeks are more pleasant than others.

Illness, sleep deprivation, stress, being over-sceduled, etc. typically make for some fun moments. 

Maybe it was our RS lesson on parenting last Sunday or maybe the spirit of Christmas seeping into our hearts, but we really enjoyed each other this week.

It's amazing how far a little bit of patience and understanding can go.

It's also amazing how tragedies, such as the one in Connecticut, can put life- and its impact on our relationships- into proper perspective.

So, what'd we do this week?

-Of course, we went to TP to eat at the deli, see the reindeer, and drive through the lights (3rd time this season), but we also went to Aunt Christie's nursing graduation there. Congratulations, Christie!!!

-We did some Christmas shopping. Daniel's highlight was going along with me and picking out his very own Book of Mormon. He felt so special, and for a good 20 minutes he had it open, pretending to read it. I thoroughly enjoyed his scripture stories, as did I enjoy his continual chatter the entire afternoon. 

- We had dinner with our Hoffmann cousins. The boys do not get enough play time with girls. They LOVED playing together and they especially loved having a Christmas song dance party around the Christmas tree. 

-Some days I'm sad that my kids grow so fast. Other days, I'm totally delighted to reach new stages. Thursday was one of those days. James, my little Christmas elf, was able to run neighbor treats up the doors for me. In the past I've had to deliver them early in the month before it gets too cold (so we can walk), but this year, I just piled the kids in the car before preschool and Mr. James did the work for me. And look how big he feels! BTW, it was his Polar Express Pajama party at Preschool that day-- hence the pj's... because I'd never leave my kids in pj's all day ;)

-We got snow this week. And lots of it. 

It looks like we'll be getting our cold, cozy, white Christmas after all. 

-Our neighborhood Christmas breakfast was on Saturday. Mike got to be one of three wise men. This year we had a Nativity instead of Santa. I liked it much more. 

-The boys got to go four-wheeling in our friends' jeep up the mountain behind our house.