December -- before the trip to California

I decided to blog about December in two posts.  This post is about our life before we let for California.


Work Christmas Party🌲

We started off the month by attending one of the best Christmas parties ever!  It was hosted by Nathan's work, and it was for families.

They had food, dancing, a photo booth, games / crafts for the kids, a candy car for kids, a hot chocolate table for the kids (an some adults), etc.  It was a total blast, and Hannah did not want to go home.  She kept asking "can we go to another party like that?"

Tooth Fairy✨

Hannah had a big month with the tooth fairy.

She lost one tooth on Wednesday December 6th.

It was really funny because her lone central baby tooth looked more like a snaggle tooth.

And then two days later she lost a second tooth on Friday December 8th!

Hannah's birthday🍰

Hannah had a birthday this month.  She wanted to go to Cheesecake Factory because she wanted to eat the Funfetti Cheesecake (not my picture).

She also enjoyed eating some french fries, and opening her presents!  (The lighting wasn't too great in the Cheesecake Factory, so we didn't get many pictures).  She got Gel Pens, two games (Guess Who? and Mancala), a dolphin necklace, a beautiful green church dress, and a good bundle of Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer merchandise (coloring books, stickers, pencils, erasers, a mug, etc).

Snow🌨

We got some snow, and of course, everything around here got cancelled.

Danny's Visit🚚
With the snow, and cancellation of things, brought an unexpected and very welcome visitor!

Danny was in the area making a delivery, and since some of the factories shut down due to the snow, he got to hang out with us for the weekend!

Bananas🍌

So, I do not like bananas, but they are a healthy snack to eat on the go.  I decided to force myself to eat at least one a day (and thank you Danny for the encouragement!  If you can do it, then I can do it).

Oh boy, here's one to try.😬

Blah.😩

Service project🎖
Our ward had a service project to help box food for local veterans.  It was and honor to help serve these men and women who have served our Country.

Jasper

Jasper hung out at our house in some fun spots this month.

Hannah really liked that he "wore" the Alabama football helmet ornament (the #16 represents how many championships we've one.  Hopefully, we will get another one soon.)  And, it appears Jasper had a date too.

Tinsel trail and Christmas lights🎄

We headed out to the annual Tinsel Trail this year.  Local businesses and organizations decorate trees for the season.

Then we went and looked at Christmas lights in a fun neighborhood.  This house had quite a bit of blow ups.

Decorations at work🌿

There were some local garden clubs that came in and decorated the place I work (which is an old historic home).  All the greenery they used were freshly picked (except the Christmas tree due to fire regulations).  It smelled AMAZING!

Miscellaneous

Hannah made a plate at school for a Christmas decoration.

Hannah had one of her friends over to play with.  Let's just say that her friend learned all about our Elf on the Shelf (Jasper).  Hannah read her friend the book about how the elf comes to your home, you can't touch him, but you can talk to him.

This girl still loves gymnastics, and can get up pretty high on the rope!  Way to go kiddo.

Someone stole Daddy's phone and wanted to take a picture (with the owner in the background🙈).

Check out this journal entry that Hannah wrote.  It made my heart skip a few beats.💕

And now, I need to journal about our California trip!✈


Funfetti picture courtesy of Today Show