Amazing! This is Jen and I actually learned how to post on my blog before the year ended...barely! We have had a wonderful holiday season. While I got the house lights up at a respectable time, near Thanksgiving, I didn't get the tree up until December 18th. Not at all respectable. I realize now that even real trees must be up and decorated before the school concert season, or there just is not time. The problem I ran into is a 2 year old who loves to explore and examine EVERYTHING! I think I must be a real wimp, because I didn't hear anyone else having the same problem... I ended up putting it all away on the 29th. It just makes life easier. Besides, I have all my helpers home to ,well, help:)
I have to tell you all how much I love our new family pictures. They were super long overdue, and Jana did an amazing job! You can all find her at forgetmenotbyjana.com. WOW! I just sat and cried as I looked at them the first time. Ron found a site online that puts photos on canvas and made one 18"x40" for above our fireplace. It is amazing.
December is major birthday season for us. Troy turned 2 on the 13th. We ate at Mc D's and let him play in the thing for the first time ever. I know, I think it's gross, too, but we bathed him in hand sanitizer afterwards. Ron turned 41 on the 22nd. Karli is so disappointed that her parents are getting sooooo old. We all went to Chuck E Cheese to play games. You are right. We are easily entertained and don't get out much. Ron loves angelfood cake, so his candles couldn't be bunched up in the middle. Only my cake set off the smoke detector this year. Luke's birthday came on the 27th. He turned 8, so he got to be baptized on that day, too. By then we were all caked out, so he was fine to not have one. We played all day, saw all the grandparents, and had fun.
The highlight of the season for me is hearing from so many loved ones who are far and near. Thank you for the cards, notes, photos. Karli has written one for me to send, so that is next on my list... oh, after a phone call I almost forgot. Have a very happy new year!

November was a good month. I guess it's already half-way through December. This picture is from Mom's birthday on the 19th. Luke decorated the cake and decided it would be easier to light the candles if they were all close together. Introducing...

FLAMING CAKE OF DEATH!!!

...muah-ha-ha-ha-ha...

Good job, Luke. :) and then 2 days later my mom and me and Kaylani and a bunch of girlies from our ward went to Twilight. I know a lot of people didn't think it was that great, but I knew what to expect and loved it. I saw it 3 times in the first week, which is a lot, but no where close to how many times some people saw it. Haha :)
I finally asked someone to Winter Formal. His name's Nathan Holt. I've known him since I was 10 from doing gymnstics with him and his younger sisters. I'm glad I can go with him so it won't get awkward or anything. It's ridiculous how much effort some girls put into this thing.

Anyways, tomorrow is Troy's 2-yr-old birthday, and family pictures!!! and the ward party.

Happy Holidays!