However, I will pause here to say that Licky has been a different cat since Morgan came home. He has been on his best behavior and has allowed a snuggle or two. His hissing and growling has declined, too. We'll see how he takes Morgan's departure.Christmas Eve was spent at the Collard's house for dinner, the Smith's house for a bonfire, and then back to the Collard's for dessert. Here is a great group of girls who have all grown up together. The girl in the red shirt and the girl in the red pants were both babes in arms when we moved here. It has been nice to stay in one place for a while and see all these girls grow up and many of them have moved on to college and other pursuits. Maddie is 3rd from the left; Morgan is 3rd from the right, with Rozzie next to her on the right, and then McCall in the red boots.
This morning, we went to the temple to do baptisms. Morgan has had a "limited" temple recommend that lasts for a year. She goes to the Provo temple regularly. She asked Travis if we could go as a family. Since there were no youth groups today (New Year's Eve), the temple allowed us to come and have a private family baptism session. As it turns out, the 1st counselor in the temple presidency used to be our stake president and Travis served on the High Council for a few years with him, and he was there to preside over our baptisms. He and his wife had us do one of their names that was very dear to them. This made for a very intimate time together in the temple, unlike I have ever experienced. We really enjoyed our time there together. We were done by 10am.
We wasted time for a bit and then went to lunch; we were all pretty starved!! Then we left Orlando and were back home by 3pm. That is when the fun started. The girls wanted to go nap and lay around, but I got them busy on the Christmas mess. It is all put away now and our house is back to normal for the first time in 3 months!! It feels very good.
I have finally finished the ornaments. I'm sorry they are late, but that is just the case this year. People ask why I continue to do the ornaments. My answer is that I'd feel bad for all the younger kids who didn't get any and their older siblings got a whole bunch. Maybe no one else cares, but I do. So there is the answer, it is really very simple.
The next 6 weeks will be pretty tough with basketball season and the last 3/4 cheer competitions. Once that is done, I will be happy. It has been a whirlwind, but it has been fun and I'm glad I did it.
I wish all my blog readers (3-4 of you) a very happy and prosperous 2012!!
4 comments:
Happy New Year! Lovely pictures of lovely girls! I'm glad you had a good experience at the temple as a family.
Going to the temple is an excellent way to spend time as a family. Is that why you called for grandma's birthday info (she's already been baptized)?
What a nice little life you've carved out there. Isn't it neat to have your kids grow up with the same people most of their lives.
I didn't know you have such a gorgeous temple that close by. I'm so envious and want to go there.
The ornaments are being eagerly anticipated around here. They are special to the girls as they count them out each year and hang their own. So I hope you never stop sending them.
P.S Poor Licky to have to share his space with such ferocious beasts. He seems to love Morgan so much; you should send him back to school with her.
It sounds like you had a wonderful time with Morgan home. I really wish we had been able to see her and talk to her while she was here. But I'm sure we will have that opportunity in the summertime. Great activity to do during the Christmas holidays of going to the temple. Your girls will always remember that.
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