We hope you all had a Merry Christmas. We had a great time here in Florida. I actually let the kids go to the pool on Christmas Eve. The water was cold, but the outside weather was great. They shivered as they got out and hopped in the hottub back and forth to the pool. We haven't been swimming since October before that day. I here there is plenty of snow this year in UT. I hope no one got stuck in a blizzard yet this year. That is one of the most scary experiences I have ever had the two times that has happened to me while driving. Not having a white Christmas was one of the weirdest experiences I've had, but I guess I'll get used to it. When it was over we Spring Cleaned our house thanks to Dave. I think it all started as just getting the mold off the shower curtain and the next thing I know he is disinfecting the garbage cans. Which alien replaced him the night before I haven't a clue, but I was his biggest chearleader and by the end of the day I was so grateful. Dave is a seriously great cleaner.
Our tree went to the dumpster the day after Christmas which I've also never done before. It was a real one this year, so maybe I'd had enough of sweeping up the needles I don't know. It looked pretty good, but I was happy to see half off on the ornaments and ribbons, tree skirts, etc at home depot so I could get those for next year. We also went caroling this year, but only to one house. But we did it! We also had our traditional appetizer dinner Christmas Eve with new recipes this year that rocked. We all helped cook them and I think that was the funnest part. After dinner we went to see the lights at city hall that were awesome! All mostly wrapped up and around palm trees! The temple square experience without freezing your tail off! We opened one present each and headed for bed.
The kids were very excited that Santa seems to know them so well. Rachel had a very short list this year, and so she got several surprises. She kept saying she didn't know how Santa knew her so well to pick out such great surprises. JJ was more concerned about who left the Christmas tree lights on and why. Then he wanted to know why there Rachel's bike was in the house because we're not allowed to bring bikes in the house.....until he realized it was his!
Dave continues to enjoy working for AHS. I made some appetizers for his lunch Christmas potluck that were a big hit. This year has been so great in making up for some of my past cooking flops. It felt good. You must try Marci's mint brownie recipe with Breyer's mint chocolate chip ice cream, and cashew chicken. Yum! So now it's time to work of the few extra pounds I probably gained. Dave also enjoyed his gift from me, a snorkeling adventure with the manatees. He had a great time with Captain Jo they call him. Dave got me an ipod for Christmas. I'm a few years behind the rest of you all, but they are fun to have. On Sunday the Primary President asked me if 'd rather continue on as a teacher or lead the music. Our chorister moved so we can all guess what I'd rather do. So unless they release me for Sacrament meeting I'm doing both. Not what I'd prefer but until they decide to change it that's the deal. The kids are doing well, here are some of the highlights.
JJ: Last week had the dreaded "I love dresses and skirts and must be wearing one" illness. It was a tough one to kick but seems to be feeling fine this week. "Don't pull on my dress!" he would say. Also he loves to pray and says probably 75% of our family prayers. I wish he would pray to find the toilet each night when he needs to go during the night. He has now peed in an empty drawer and the end of his bed. (This is a 6 month time span between though) JJ is doing so great on his new bike it's hard to remember when he couldn't figure out how to do it. But he's strong enough now, and he can steer fairly well while pedaling. You can tell he's concentrating more on the pedaling though when we say "Turn left a little before you hit the bumper of that car! Don't make us tell you the stories again about Daddy's bad luck with cars!" He has been starting some involuntary eye brow movements and constant blinking lately. We had his eyes checked, so I'm not sure what that's all about. We upped his melatonin dose because he's been getting up so early again lately.
Some of you saw the funny picture of us riding the roller coaster on our blog, and I must say that JJ actually keeps asking if he can ride the scary "Kracken" roller coaster at Sea World. I'm sure he's not tall enough anyway, but those of you worried he was scarred for life can be put at ease. We love Sea World! Dave's company got us day passes that we upgraded for the year. We are so glad we waited on buying any theme park passes! Because now we get to go all year for such a cheap price. At dinnertime JJ he is our announcer for good news and bad news minute. We all talk about something good and bad that happened that day. He usually starts out with "ladies and gentleman!" like a true circus ring leader. He asked me where is heaven yesterday, and why was Joseph Smith Martyred. Was it the lamanites?! He loves Deal or no Deal. Especially saying "NO DEAL!" And last but not least wants a baby in his tummy.
Rachel has been enjoying singing very much lately. We are working on a more subtle vibrato and volume, and cutting off when the director cuts you off. She is definitely improving and will be a lovely singer one day I'm sure. She's also been having nightmares lately this past week. She told me it was the same one, and was too scared to tell me about it the other night because she didn't want to have the same dream again when she fell asleep. Rachel, scared? This was a rare thing. So we put on the primary cd and the lights and had a special prayer. Apparently it worked last night no nightmare. Hopefully they'll go away. Rachel loves to take her turn to read during scripture study, and loves to read in general. She loves riding her bike and playing outside. She loves doing kung fu (inspired by kung fu panda) mostly with Daddy, because I promptly move out of the way when it begins. She got all satisfactory's on her last report card which I'd love to rub in the face of that charter school that thought she would struggle. Take that! She got some new cute clothes from Santa, and a light bright. I think the robotic dog was her favorite though. We aren't ready for the real deal yet.
So here's wishing you all a happy new year and we are excited some of you have come to your senses and bought plane tickets to Orlando! Love, Jen, Dave, Rachel and JJ
