Thursday, December 17, 2009

Random Quick Takes - Vol. 3

1. I'm a little late on this, but Marc and I spent Thanksgiving weekend in Spokane and Chewelah visiting with his younger brother and two older sisters and their families. Besides really enjoying Marc's family, I enjoyed attending Mass Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday and so Saturday didn't feel left out, I went to reconciliation. You really can't top that! I also had fun swimming in Lori's indoor pool. It was my secret weapon against gaining Thanksgiving weight. Here are a few pictures from the weekend:
This was taken as we were heading out of town. The nail polish is there just for size comparison. I was wondering...when did yogurt parfaits gets so tiny!?

Marc with Jill and her three kids right after nap time.

While at Lori's we played a pretty intense game of Monopoly. Not only did it last forever, but it was pretty true to real life. At one point, people started losing their houses and the bank ran completely out of money. At that point, the game went to Marc!

Here is Lori's youngest, Zach. I guess he is trying to send his mom a message.

2. I'm really enjoying Advent this year and looking so forward to the coming of our Savior Jesus Christ. I have my very first ever advent candles and have been working on lots of fun projects with the girls.

Marc cut some greens from my backyard to make it look a little more festive.

An Advent Calendar I made for one of my nanny families. Each cone has a slip of paper on it with something to pray for and perhaps a tidbit of teaching followed by an activity.

This is one of Eleanor's projects from the calendar. After talking about St. Joseph and praying for her dad, Eleanor was supposed to draw a picture of St. Joseph and baby Jesus. She also included Mary on right. :) In one of her later pictures I was surprised when she drew flowers on Mary. Precious!

Another art project. Note Eleanor's angel on the third row, right side. :)

I guess Eleanor wanted to make sure Mary made it to the Nativity Scene.

3. Family Time. I do not spend enough time with my family as I should and I'm trying to make more of an effort to do so. Last night I hung out with my grandma and had a great time. I think it might be the most I've ever laughed with her. I also learned that her and my grandpa met on the dance floor. :) Apparently she had had her eye on him for awhile and she thinks he'd had his on her too...insert my grandma's half laugh, half giggle. So cute! She also converted him to Catholicism. I never knew! Way to go Grandma! I don't have pictures of grandma, but I do have a few of the my nephew and niece.

Riley playing with Bebe, my first doll. :)

Jaden posing with the Holy Family after helping my dad put up the Nativity Scene.

Hanging out with the Holy Family will make you awfully holy.

4. My mom and Marc received one of their Christmas presents early. My dad and I took them out to dinner and then surprised them with tickets to the Coats Christmas concert at Benaroya Hall. We had a great time. One of the highlights of the evening was a surprise for all of us. The elevator in the parking garage got stuck between floors on our way to the concert. We spent 45 minutes with 4 other couples. Lucky for us, they were all very nice and positive. We made the most of our time. We also avoided waiting way longer by calling the fire department ourselves after the garage attendant told us it would take the "elevator guy" 45 minutes to get there. The fire department responded in just a little over 5. Thank you fire department!

One of the firemen took our picture before pulling us out. :) We even caroled a little bit in there!

Marc and me during intermission.

5. Happy Birthday, Brent!!

6. Tomorrow I am headed to Waterville, WA for the funeral of Joe "Pop Pop" Mullen. He is the grandpa of my best friend and because both of my grandpas died before I was born, I think of him as closest I have. I also put one of the church ushers in that category, who has been bed ridden for quite some time now. Please pray for the Mullen family, the repose of Pop Pop's soul, and usher Bill. I'm looking forward to celebrating Pop Pop's life tomorrow and partying it up Mullen family style. The reception is a "barn" and there is sure to be a great "Pop Pop talent show," which includes many of the aunts, uncles, and cousins giving various beautiful and funny performances.


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