8 more days?!!

Only 8 more days till Christmas! Holy cow! I love it! I'm particularly thrilled because Ben is soon to start up a 6 week break - he's currently at the hospital finishing up what should be his last call night of the school year... after his break, the rest of his rotations should be pretty easy without long hours. What a relief that will be - just a little relaxation before residency, right? I'm super happy this morning, too, because our good friends just successfully matched through the military into their number one pick for surgery! Merry Christmas to the Jones family who no longer have to fret over where they will be next year!! :) Seriously so awesome!

We've had a fun and relatively busy December so far. Emma finished up her dance class last week, which she really enjoyed. She also recently had her Preschool Christmas party and is now on Christmas break till January. What a wonderful preschool she goes to - I'm so impressed with her teachers and the time and attention they put towards teaching and having fun with the kids. It's a really great group of kids too and it's been fun to watch Emma do well in a school-like setting. I stuck around for the Christmas Party and Becca came along as well - Becca was a little hyper but also really enjoyed sitting down on the rug when they read Christmas stories and sang songs. I'm sure Becca will really enjoy preschool too, when it's her turn.

BubbleShare: Share photos - Play some Online Games.


Emma and Becca have both been really enjoying all the counting down to Christmas activities - we've got way too many advent things... a paper countdown chain (that Emma made at preschool), our advent tree that the kids take turns pinning felt pieces to, two chocolate countdowns (from Trader Joes... we bought them after the month had already begun, so they were selling them for only 49 cents...what a deal!). We also have our other countdown traditions such as our Advent activity we do each Sunday after Thanksgiving and on Christmas Eve as well, lighting another candle on the advent wreath, singing Christmas hymns, reading scriptures, and eating desserts. Also, this will be the third year we've done 12 days of Christmas gifts. The idea came from an Ensign, where you wrap 12 little gifts and each includes a scripture you read about a gift we have received from Heavenly Father. So, all these things have been keeping the kids (and their mommy) rather excited about the upcoming celebrations.

And here's a random picture of Emma and Becca - lately Emma has often been plopping herself down on Becca as they're watching tv, with Emma wanting Becca to scratch her back - Becca willingly complies. What a nice little sister. :)