Back to the Mall

We went to the mall again to play but this time we took some of our friends. Morgan had a great time playing with this little girl and boy and I had fun mommy time with their mom.

She played so hard that she fell asleep in her chair when we got home, which almost never happens (like this is a first!). Yay for friends!

Reading to the Dog

Our local library has a special time where kids get to read to a therapy dog so we went with our friends and their kids. Morgan loved it! We only read a few pages but she was more into the dog anyway. I read that kids her age should be saying anywhere from 10 to 50 words. Tom and I counted over sixty words that Morgan can say. We think she is so smart!

The Live Nativity: Year 2

(I have to defend the way I look in this picture. I was smiling for what seemed like forever waiting for the camera to take the picture and I ended up looking like I'm plotting a murder or something -- with a double chin.)There is a live nativity at the seminary building around here and the star of the show... Clyde the camel (I know you should go for the story of the birth of Jesus... but a live camel alone makes the trip worth it). Morgan thought he was so neat and he kept smelling her.

These guys do a great job. You have to walk from the shepards to the angels to the wise men and to the stable.

We're happy we went for the second year in a row!

Play Time at the Mall

Since it has been so cold and snowy we have not been able to go outside to play so really that leaves a big part of the day open. I heard from a friend that she takes her kids to the play place at the mall when they can't play outside. Fantastic idea! That's just what Morgan and I did last week and I think it will be a weekly date for us.

Usually when we go to the mall it is for me so she has to do what I want her to do. This time was special because I went without an agenda. It was her time. We played in the play area. We went on the escalator (many times).

We took a break on the bench.

We went to Build a Bear and played with some toys. Then to Toys R Us Express. Morgan ran to the Barney doll saying "Ba-ee."

Next we went to a mommy store and saw some pretty belts.

We took another break in front of the cookie store.

So we decided to have a snack. After the snack we walked around some more and ended with the play area and some more escalator. Such a good time!

The Meeting Formerly Known As Enrichment

I got a new calling at church (which I'm super happy about. I was the primary chorister and let's just say that wasn't my favorite). Now I am over enrichment, or what used to be enrichment and is now "Relief Society Meetings" or something. I'm not even sure. Anyway, I don't have a committee yet so I planned the Christmas party with the 1st counselor. We decided to do dinner and crafts. We also had to set up, decorate, bring food, and clean up (more people brought food and cleaned up so don't think I did it all). It was a fun night but I now realize why our ward hasn't done crafts since I've been in it -- it's a lot of work! Luckily I had some great crafters help out (thanks Michelle and Renee!).

We didn't have a budget for decorations so I made some things to go on the tables but let's be honest, as much as you decorate a basketball court in a church built in 1960, it's still a basketball court in a church built in 1960.

Here are some of the crafters. Making hair bows...Nativity silhouettes on glass blocks...and advent calenders. Thanks to everyone who helped out. I am supposed to send thank you cards but I probably won't so please consider this a thank you.

Latest Guillotine Victim

We didn't even have time to name it. I guess by default it will take the name of Marie Antoinette.

Snow Day

Before we moved to Boise everyone told us that it never snows here. That winter it snowed every day for two months. So much for listening to people. Today we awoke to a winter wonderland. Even though it has snowed normally each winter we've been here, we haven't seen this much snow. And it's the good kind! I was so excited to play in it with Morgan. I had to shovel some pathways for her or else she would just fall over. She liked it okay but was more excited to go inside and watch "Bike" (or Barney, the one about wheels).