8 December 2024
VOLUME 12 – NUMBER 585
Endia’s nativity scene
Cougar and I finally got some Christmas decorations! We bought a tree and decorations and I finally found a nativity that I love!
I’ve been keeping an eye out for the past few years trying to find a nativity set that we can put up every Christmas. We went to a few stores this year and almost missed the one we ended up buying, but it caught my eye when I felt I was going to have to settle for one that I kind of liked. It is beautiful and I love it!
During our search we went to the German Christmas market with London and enjoyed some delicious German food! I love that place and the memories it helps to bring back to me from my one Christmas in Germany.
Endia, Troy, Ellie at ornament activity
What a week! I was actually sick a couple days this week, which means I got a little time off from work.
On Tuesday we celebrated Veidi’s birthday and of course had to tease her about who she was going to go on her first date with. On Thursday, my roommate played in and won their intramural flag football championship game. It was so fun and exciting that they got the win.
Speaking of wins, Yaretzie’s basketball game was on Friday, and that was so fun to watch! I’m so excited for her and the opportunity she has.
Saturday, I got to volunteer at the YMCA to help with a breakfast and Santa showing. So cool to do things like that especially this time of year!
Christmas treats
Later that day we made treats for our cheesy Christmas movie night. We made some peppermint bark, and a treat I like to call “Christmas Crack”—made with saltine crackers, caramel, and chocolate.
Some of us boys stayed up LATE that night playing one of the games on the Switch, and it took forever to beat this one level, but it was so fun!
On Sunday we had Yarima’s famous ornaments activity, and I easily won my personal award for worst ornament of my collection yet! Note to self: a camouflage ornament is not the way to go!
I also got to go in person to Salt Lake to the First Presidency Devotional. I loved the messages and music. December has been incredible so far and am looking forward to the rest!
Yarima’s Christmas ornament activity
I went down to Layton for the week to babysit the Thompson boys (Caleb used to babysit them back in the day). To be honest, I had an amazing time just hanging out with them. Gavin is 13 and Cash is 8, and we just had a lot of fun.
However, it did get a little bit boring while they were at school. I was just alone at the house for a while.
I did drive back home for the day on Veidi’s birthday. I didn’t stay for too long, so I just said “Happy Birthday,” scheduled my endowment for the 13th of December, and then went back to Layton.
On that same day, I took Gavin to his guitar lesson, and after that we went to In-N-Out for dinner. I had a great time, and it felt good hearing that Gavin and Cash had a really fun week. Mission accomplished!
London, Mattias, and Keaton
This week for our combined activity we went to my work to sing Christmas carols to the senior residents there. I could tell that they really enjoyed having us sing to them.
Work has been a great blessing in my life. It helps me to get out and start my adult life, little by little. It has made me a better person in conversations, and I have made many new relationships.
The residents always tell my how much I help them so much, and that I'm their favorite, or they tell me not to leave them.
Isaac and Owen
Guess what? I got a message from one of my bosses saying I can continue working at the MTC after January!
Instead of a temporary six-month contract like I had, I'll have a regular two-year teacher contract, so it looks like I'll be working at the MTC for the foreseeable future! I love it so much, and I feel like I have improved so much since I first started here.
Coming back to school after the week of fall break hasn't been too bad. I actually looked forward to it, but it's especially nice because after two weeks, the semester will be over, and winter break begins!
Yarima’s Christmas ornament activity
It's almost like the anticipation for a break is just instant. I am busy taking care of some projects that I procrastinated on, but things are turning out. I also went home on Tuesday for Veidi's birthday and again on Saturday till Sunday. I love you, Veidi. It's exciting that you're 16!
The weekend at home involved a Christmas movie, delicious treats, church on Sunday, and some games! I love being at home, but I am less productive so I just have to decide to turn off my school brain while I'm here and enjoy it.
Joanna doing schoolwork
I have not been able to go to church for a long time. Part of that is because I have been sick for way too long, and I also went to a different ward when we went and listened to Mary Ashton (cousin) speak after she came back from her mission.
I have not been for like three to four weeks. At least I was able to practice my piano skills, which I am pretty bad at, but I can at least play We Thank Thee O God for a Prophet without the notes.
I have also been trying to learn God Be With You Till We Meet Again and Lord I Would Follow Thee, but at least I can get through each of them with minor mess ups.
Yarima’s Christmas ornament activity
Our Christmas calendar showed that on Saturday we were planning to go to the German Christmas Market, but we didn't end up going, so we decided to play some games.
We played a video game called Pico Park. It's a communication game and you have to figure out how to get out of certain puzzles. One level took Ashton, Caleb, Isaac, and I about two hours to finish!
The thing was, it wasn't really supposed to be a hard level. It was just our mentality. It was also 12:00am, so that might have been part of the reason. Throughout the whole two hours of that level, we were all laughing our heads off!
Ellie, Charlie, Ava comparison
This week we got hit with a stomach bug. Ellie got it first, and just started throwing up one night. Thankfully the next morning she was feeling fine, so we thought that was the end of it.
A few nights later, I started feeling sick and threw up. It’s never fun to have a stomach bug, but it was even harder being two weeks postpartum and having to take care of a newborn. Braden was able to take work off to help me out, but then halfway through the day he started to feel sick.
The day felt forever long, but the next morning we were feeling so much better! This just reminded us how grateful we are for healthy bodies!
Charlie painting at ornament activity
This week for my orthodontist appointment, Dr. Davis said that my teeth are moving well. I am always excited when he says that, because it means that I am making a lot of progress.
On Tuesday it was my birthday, so I am officially 16 years old. It feels so weird. I did school for most of the day because school is almost over. Then Ashton and Caleb came over and we all watched a cheesy Christmas movie, and then we talked for a while.
For our activity on Wednesday we did caroling at Gloria’s work. It was fun and a little awkward, because when my group was singing Feliz Navidad, they did not have the music, so at the beginning they would sing “Feliz Navidad”—the only words they know—and then it would go quiet for like 10 seconds until they sang “Feliz Navidad” again. I just felt so awkward.
Veidi’s birthday celebration
Our ward had a Christmas party. Mom, Dad, Gloria, Monte, and I all went to it, and it was fun. Other family members were not able to come because they were sick or working. After I ate, I went to hang out with my friends, and we talked and had a great time.
The next day we made Christmas goodies with Ashton and Caleb, and then we watched a Christmas movie. It was so fun. On Sunday we made Christmas ornaments and had meatball subs. When all the Olders came over, I had a blast.
Yarima’s Christmas ornament activity