A 'no picture' post

I haven't posted in so long. A lot has been going on. I mean how can it not, being as it is the Christmas season. We have been up to a lot, but for some reason haven't gotten one picture of anything. So this post is just a little of what we've been doing to celebrate this Christmas season. And to make up for no pictures, the next post, coming shortly after this one, will have LOTS of pictures, I promise...and really pretty ones at that. Oh the suspense...

Temple Square Lights - By far the best lights ever. I went down with the Young Women to watch the Alta High Madrigals perform. 2 of our laurels (Alex and Linda) are in the madrigals so it was fun to see them perform. Then we walked around temple square to look at the lights. It was nice going on a week night and a little earlier then usual because it was not crowded at all so it was very enjoyable...although very cold that night as well.

Thanksgiving Point Lights - One Friday night Shane and I decided to go drive through Thanksgiving point and see the lights. I have always wanted to see them, but never had. It was fun in our warm car and it wasn't that crowded, but overall I wasn't that impressed with it. I think if we had kids it would've been a lot more fun for them. But I'm glad we went and did it.

Family Cousin Christmas Party - Every year my parents host a Christmas dinner for our cousins on the Goold side of the family. We always have so much fun getting caught up on what everyone has been up to. We also play a game, that I am not even sure how to explain but I'll just leave it at...our side of the family always beats the Peterson side of the family. We also usually play the chimes although we end up screaming (in a funny way) at everyone that messes up, we rarely get it right the whole way through one song. A fun night as always.

Forgotten Carols - I love the music from Forgotten Carols by Michael McLean. Every few years or so I like to go and watch the performance of this very cute and clever story. I love it. This year Brigitte and Tyler came with us and we had a great time. Of course no Forgotten Carols would be complete unless we could link arms at the end and sing 'We can be together forever.' So link we did, and this was the first year I really could link arms with my cute husband and sing it like I really meant it. Cheesy I know, but so fun too.

Ward Christmas Party - Shane and I are on the activities committee for our ward and so we had to help with our ward Christmas party this year. We did the advertising and then helped set up, serve and then clean up. Last year when we went we sat on the floor in the corner eating our dinner because there was no where to sit. So this year now that I am on the committee I insisted that they set up more chairs and move the food to another room. They did, and I and many other people were very appreciative. I think it turned out really nice and several people said it was the best one in many years.

Mormon Tabernacle Choir Concert - I won the lottery. I know Mormons don't believe in the lottery but when it comes to getting Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas concert tickets....they do. I entered the 'randomly selected' drawing and 'was selected' (aka lottery) 4 tickets to the Sunday morning concert. It was early, cold, and snowing that day, and the tickets were all the way in the balcony on the side...but it was still worth it I thought. It was so good. Natalie Cole was their guest performer and I loved the songs they sang.

Stacy's visit - My good friend Stacy came and paid us a short visit one weekend. She actually came for a friends wedding but it was fun because she stayed with us. In the past her parents have lived here and she would always stay with them. Well they moved this year, and now she gets to stay with me when she comes out. I hope she'll come visit often...in fact I wish she would just move out here!! hint, hint...

Tim Tams - If you remember the post from last year about our Tim Tam slam party, this has been the first year that we haven't had it...sad. The good news is that Tim Tams are now sold at your local grocery store. I've seen them at Smiths and Target, go get yours now. I've had Tim Tams at my house straight since I found out. Oh so good. Although, they don't replace the Tim Tam slam party, maybe we'll still have it in January. This has nothing to do with Christmas other then it's always around this time of year that we have the party and having Tim Tams around all the time has been a real treat for me.

Cameron's Waffle Dinner - Our friends Cameron and Megan invited us, Brigitte and Tyler, and Robert and Carey over for a waffle dinner one night. It was fun to get together and the waffles were great. Well at least mine was. Cameron and Robert had the most disgusting toppings on their waffle. Cameron, I found out that night, is a blog stalker of mine...so this was for him so that maybe, just maybe he'll make a comment. :)

Shopping completed - I was able to get all, and I mean all of my Christmas shopping done by December 12 this year. I know that doesn't sound that great to all of you who get it done before Thanksgiving but that was very good for me. It's nice not to have to rush out in the crowds...and today the snow to get the last few items done. I feel so free. But, the main reason I did this is because Shane and I decided to go to Hawaii the week before Christmas...wahoo! Next post coming shortly.