Nutcracker

Frankie went to a little party at Madison’s Friday night. They decorated cookies and did a scavenger hunt and had a good time. I loooove her little group of friends, they’re all sweet girls.  

Friday night also brought the start of our Nutcracker weekend. D and I met up with Alecia and her girls and headed down to St. Marys college to their swanky new performing arts center.

It was so fun and the girls did such a good job! 

Delaney loved it, no nerves, just fun. She wished she could be on stage more. 

For the Saturday matinee I volunteered to be a ticket scanner. Volunteers get to buy tickets early, so it was worth it. I had bought a ticket for the matinee, but was pretty sure I could just sneak in the back, so Matt came with us and he took my seat and then I sat to the side. 

We took Emma and Lily down with us and then Emma came home with us between shows. They ate and rested and it was a nice little 2 hour break. I even offered to let them take their buns out and that I would redo them, but they didn’t. (thankfully 🤣)

Our whole family and Darrow’s whole family went to the evening performance. We saw lots of friends from church, school, and LG too. It’s a fun community event. 

Delaney is just in ballet 2, so her part was teeny tiny, but it was so fun seeing her. 

I had told her where we’d be sitting and she asked me to lightly wave to her and she spotted me right away.

Ballet Caliente has got this show locked down, it’s really kind of a well oiled machine, at least from a ballet 2 mom perspective. 

Delaney wished she could be a mouse, their part was really cute. But Christmas tree magic was not the worst second choice. White girls can jump 👇🏻 

I hope she’ll continue with dance. I’ve always wanted my kids to find a sport they love and excel in, and so far that hasn’t happened. I’m 0 for 5. 🤷‍♀️ Maybe Lexi would like coaching cheer now, but by senior year she wasn’t into it. And Christian kind of liked running, though I doubt he’d do it if the Army didn’t make him. 







Another nice thing is that the show was short and sweet, 2 hours and that includes a 15 minute intermission. Not enough time to be bored, and the dancers were all so great!

She was supposed to be looking at the program. 

Matt had the idea to make her a candy bouquet, so I looked up ideas and made her one. 

After the Saturday matinees she did comment that it would be nice to get flower. I asked if this bouquet was good enough and she said yes, she was happy. 

It was cold cold outside, so quick hugs and pictures. 

And just like that, Nutcracker weekend was over. It was fabulous! I saw all 3 shows and while I thought it might be a little much, it was great!

On our way home we stopped by Walmart and let everyone pick out a frozen dinner for Sunday night, gassed up the jolly green giant, and were officially ready for a Christmas adventure!

Pta’ing and stuff

Wednesday brought our big staff appreciation Christmas lunch. This is my third time doing staff appreciation and I’ve done it every other year. We’ll see if I can bring myself to do 2 years in a row next year. 

I took the girls to school at 7 and just stayed all day. Dominique and Evelyn met me there and were super helpful. Then Ashlee came after Duke’s drop off, so it was like a little party all day. 

We kept things rotated and tidied throughout the day. 

Great shot of me bending over. 

We had a toooon of donated side dishes, appetizers, desserts, and drinks and then the school provided meats from Mission BBQ. I want it to be really fun and special for the staff, so I like a big variety. 

Since I’ve done it so many years I’ve gotten better and we even had Christmas music playing low in the background. It was a really nice day.

Delaney came to hang out after school, Frankie forgot and rode the bus home, and she packed up a plate of goodies to take home. It was 3:00 by the time I got everything cleaned up and put away. 

Then Delaney had an extra Nutcracker practice from 4-6, and I was finally able to sign her up for a makeup lesson from 6-7. Then the big girls had a temple trip, so we quickly packed dinners, dropped D off, then dropped girls off. Off to Aldi, then home to check on my sickie. Matt slept so much, he was sick sick sick. 

The girls fav pictures. 

Bishop Wiest sent a nice note and this picture. We’re so blessed. 

On Thursday I was able to meet with my 2 counselors and 2 more presidents. Susanne just returned from Germany and gave me this beautiful plate of goodies. Magda made me a sweet bracelet and pair of earrings. If was a very uplifting and edifying day. We had a zoom presidency meeting thrown in the middle of those visits, and since I was close’ish I popped into the stake center for that call. 

I made it home with just enough time to get dinner and take Delaney to ballet. Happily busy week. 

My dad got a new phone and sent me his old one. Yay for me! I am going to be sooooo safe with this one. Although I’ve had it about a week and I’m on my 2nd screen protector. what is my problem?

I was excited for a morning at home on Friday!

The White House

Adi’s hospitality class had a field trip to the White House and I got to go again. After a quick McDonald’s stop we hit the White House museum. 

It’s small but interesting. -Adi shot

Then we waltzed over to the White House and went through like 10 security checkpoints. 

They made it look like the tree was going through the roof, so cool!

It was super cold, like I don’t even know if it got to 40° that day. 

Looking up at the tree going through the roof. 

My wonderful Adi. ❤️

When you request a White House tour you just get what you get, and I’m so thrilled we got a Christmas trip!

It. Was. So. Cool. 

Gold star tree. ⭐️ 

I loved looking out the windows and thinking about all the important people that have been there and seen that same view. 

We went through super slowly and oohed and aahed at everything. 

Everyone was asked to dress business casual and those kids looked sharp. 

I took a million pictures and sorry, not sorry, here they all are. 



There was a large group of all different foreign military big wigs. I made a friend and she told me they are allies who work in Washington and had always wanted to see the WH.  

Adi ❤️ all libraries. 



Michelle ❤️. I think it’s kind of funny that you’ll never find a Michelle at an elementary school. My name had its heyday in the 70’s/80’s and that’s where it dies. 

Adi was a good sport about all my pictures. 



















Adi art. 



















I told her she should ask to play a quick song and this gorgeous piano. I’d be so obnoxious if I had any talents. That’s probably why I don’t. 🤣

The Grand Staircase, where the first family makes an entrance during dinner parties/state events. 









Zelensky’s motorcade was going by just as we were leaving. The friendly secret service guys told us that. 



They had another event, so they hustled us out a little. 



It was so amazing to be there and I’m so grateful for this amazing place we live. 

Adi art. 

The bus stopped at chickfila on the way home so we got home around 4:30. I quickly made 4 batches of my new favorite chocolate chip cookies for staff appreciation and everyone fended for themselves. 

Matt was super sick all day, so my momming solo duties continued with delaneys ballet, then while she was there Adi wanted to go to Ross where she covertly bought me a gift (she’s the sweetest) and I went for a walk. I was sad to see that my Drink Bank future business has been made into a real bank again. I snooze I lose.