I'm back! And now it is time to finish up December's posts so we can move onto January!
We unfortunately missed the Biggs/Christiansen party on Dec. 3rd. Matt was sick and I didn't want to go on my own. It was nice, however, that we had Christmas parties all throughout the month. We only had one double-booking, which was on Dec. 10, 2011.
That was the Hadfield party. It was supposed to be a breakfast, but it ended up closer to lunchtime. The food was tasty and we got to chat with family. Unfortunately, our visit was cut short because we had to be back in Payson to set up for the ward party around 2pm. (The party itself was at 6pm). It was still nice we were able to go and actually get to eat before leaving ;) Afterward, we headed home and back to the church to set up.
Matt and I were asked to be on the Christmas Party Committee for the ward party. The bishopric wanted to re-focus on the real meaning of Christmas, so there was no Santa Claus. Matt and I were in charge of the program, and we did a reading of the Santa Whispered, Teach the Children story. It turned out really well.
For those not familiar, it's a story where the narrator encounters Santa on Christmas Eve, and he is sad. He asks the narrator to teach the children the true meaning of Christmas, and goes through different symbols of Christmas and how they relate to Christ. In our telling, Santa was the final symbol. We also interspersed some music into the program. It was good times. Everyone enjoyed it and it turned out well.
The stage with the symbols of christmas
The fire video was genius - and great job, Connie, on the last-minute fireplace!
The setting. Thanks Lloyd and Debbie for lending us a door!
After the program, with *most* of the symbols.
Next up was my work Christmas party on Thursday Dec. 15, 2011. It was the traditional bowling, food, and raffle at Fat Cats in Provo. As per now tradition, Jessica and I bowled together. We also bowled with Melissa (from our team) and Rosa and Dorothee. Such fun! We had a grand time chatting, eating, and bowling. And playing with Dorothee's new babe :)
After bowling came the raffle. Matt kept telling me to win something this year. Like I had control over it ;) Although, I did feel it was my turn finally. They had the usual spread of awesome prizes, as well. However, with the merger, our accounting department is being phased out, so this was our last year with them (they get the prizes). It makes me wonder what Christmas will be like this year..... Anyway, they said they had about 80 people come, and they had 50 prizes. Since it was their last year, they supplemented with another 30 $50 gift cards so everyone would go home with something, which was quite nice. I *did* legitly win though :) and took home a Sony Handycam camcorder. I was pleased. It was a good time and nice that I got to just go home afterward, instead of going back to work ;)
Me and Jess
I think this was our second game... (did we do two games?) Anyway, yes, I had a crappy score, but I got second place! lol
Please note, this is pretty much the only time I get to go bowling anymore....
Saturday, Dec. 17, 2011 was the Covalt Christmas party. Grandma decided the boys were in charge this year, so Dad and Darryl got to plan, while the women made it happen ;) It was nice and low-key though. I took my handy-dandy handycam and played around with it a bit. It was nice to sit and chat with family, as well. They decided to do some things they used to do as kids, like making puffed rice balls and decorating sugar cookies. I had been really wanting to decorate cookies, but never got around to making them, so I was super excited about this part and made four of them.... :D T
hen we also had our traditional white elephant exchange, which was quite entertaining. I was complimented by Sharon and Mom on my cute wrapping job (which I was proud of, I might add). It just made it more entertaining when it was finally opened (Easy Cheese, anyone?).
See? The Easy Cheese looks so cute! The other gift was chocolate chips :)
Ah yes, we also took a fruit platter. The dip was quite easy, and we opted to put food coloring in it. Matt asked Curtis (who was enlisted to help with the platter) if we should put blue or green in it. Curtis opted for blue-green. We thought it was awesome because it looks like toothpaste :)
Us! We're so cute ;)
Me and the little kids decorating cookies...
I failed to take a pic of my first cookie, but since I was having so much fun, I asked if Matt wanted a cookie. Isn't the star marshmellow so cute?
I almost forgot again...hence the bite out of the star. :)
Getting ready for the gift exchange.
Darryl and Kris Ann looking at the picture book Dad and Mom made for Grandma.
So there was light coming in through the blinds....but how cute is this pic of Matt and his mom? :)
We did well at the gift exchange. I ended up with cute polar bear salt and pepper shakers, and Matt ended up with Tyler's old PS3 games. Yes, we don't have a PS3, but we went to GameStop on the way home and exchanged them for The Sims 3 Pets ;)
Our last engagement for the season was the annual Wilson party on Christmas Eve. Yes, my camcorder went there too :) This was the second year for pass-along gifts. I think it's entertaining, at least as long as there are small children who get really into it :) Oh, and Mocha joined us as well. :) She did pretty well, as long as no one *cough* Mike *cough* left food or drink on the floor :)
With the growing of the smallest children, our Christmas program gets shorter and shorter. Benjamin and Rebecca sang a couple of Christmas song for us before we got into carolling. I swear, one of these years, I'm going to print up lyrics to songs. We kinda fail in the remembering department. Then we could also sing more than one verse :)
After singing comes me reading the Christmas story while Koreen plays Silent Night. Then we all sing Silent Night and then open gifts. Uncle Mike told me I reminded him of my Mom when I was reading. :)
There were some epic gifts given. Most notably was Kim's gift to Elisabeth. Mostly it was a box full of quarter machine toys - apparently Elisabeth was really into the toy machines on a trip they went on together. There were also some other purchased things put into plastic balls to match :) It took forever, but Elisabeth was SO excited. She's adorable :)
Kari got me The Great Book of Amber, which is all 10 books of the Amber series by Roger Zelazny. I like what I've read so far, but Matt has stolen it and surpassed me. Matt got a 2 liter of Mountain Dew and a bag of funsize Snickers and a Walmart gift card from one of Caleen's children. (Sorry, I don't remember who... Cody, I think?) Oh! And our pass-along gifts were a big Hershey's Almond candybar and some ear buds. :)
Right, pictures now (sorry this post is long :))
Me and Mocha
Me and Matt - he has gotten better with my incessant picture taking :)
Family: Holly, Matt, David, Kim
Kim is a bit Hello Kitty obsessed :)
Mocha making new friends, with Matt :)
and with Casey :)
How precious - Casey and Grandma
Rebecca LOVED Mocha, a little too much....
Hiding from the chaos and small child
Steven got some new Celtic Woman stuff, and we stayed and watched his new video :)
I do approve of Matt taking the initiative to snap some shots now. This is a rather new development :)
Next up - Christmas Day!
