January 3, 2010

January 3, 2010

Dear Family and Friends,

Happy New Year! This has been an exciting week. Monday was our FHE night. We drove to the temple to see the lights. The weather was bitterly cold, but we tried to be brave. We loved the Nativities from around the world display. And of course the temple and lights were beautiful. We packed a picnic and ate our picnic on the way back home. Most days we have stayed pretty close to home. M took a little time off each day so that he could be home a little earlier. Poor B-man came down with an enormous cold sore at the beginning of the week. M and I hate having to tell him not to kiss or touch J, but we don’t want J to get cold sores.

Wednesday was a fun day for M and me. He worked a little extra; while he was working I got a babysitter and then drove to pick him up from work. We drove to a nearby restaurant that we love and met another couple for dinner there. It was such a great evening. The food was delicious, and the conversation was great too. We eventually tore ourselves away because we knew that J would be getting pretty anxious soon. It was so nice to have a date night; it had been a while for us since our last real date.

Thursday I spent the day getting ready for New Year’s. We were planning on having a few couples over for a small party. It was all very last minute, but worth the effort. I finished taking down the Christmas decorations, and worked on getting the house clean. I’ve decided that having a clean house was a great way to start the New Year. After getting the kids to bed our friends came over. M was the bartender for the night. He did some great drink mixes, including Shirley Temples, and Roy Rodgers. We played Personal Preference, and a few other games. The time passed quickly, and we were up way too late. B-man woke up just as people were leaving, and so M helped get him back to sleep. It was a simple party, but it turned out really fun. It helped boost my party hosting confidence.

Friday we had a quiet fun day. We tried to sleep as late as possible. That is generally impossible with young children. In the morning we spent the time around the house. Then when J woke up from his nap we went bowling with B-man. We were just about done with our first game (and ready to go) when some of our good friends showed up to bowl too! It was so fun, they got the lane right next to us, and our kids had a great time bowling together. I think the more the merrier with bowling. Sadly, by the end of the second game J was ready for his next nap so we headed home. B-man did much better this year than last year. He was very close to our scores. While J napped, M and B-man went to watch football with some friends. That night we watched “24” before heading to bed.

Saturday morning we went to the baby blessing of the twin daughters of our friends. It was amazing how quiet the kids were during the blessing. Afterwards B-man disappeared with the kids, and M and I were able to enjoy some brunch. The rest of the day was nice and slow. It was wonderful!

Sunday morning was another quiet morning. No meetings for M. We were able to read books, and just enjoy the quiet. Church went really well. It was the best Sunday we have had with J in a long time. B-man loves his new teachers, and M’ lesson went well too. After church we had a quick dinner. (Dinner is always best when it is fast on Fast Sunday.)

One day this week we had a very funny conversation with B-man. We were driving in our car and out of the blue B-man said “Mom, why did you marry Dad?” So then I was able to list a bunch of reasons that I married M. He wasn’t interested in why M married me though.

We love you all! Happy New Year!

R, M, B-man, and J