December Dreams

December!  With our Hawaii Make-a-Wish trip taking up the first week, the days before Christmas flew by.  When we arrived home, we discovered that my parents and the Wilhoits had set up and decorated our tree.  Most thoughtful gift ever!

Annika made it back just in time for her Town Hall Dance with Miss Chara.

Sweet little Violet celebrated her second birthday, polka-dot style.  She just gets cuter by the minute!

Eli joined me for a SLRC Jingle Jog.

Brooklyn came home for her International Baccaulaureate Diploma Recognition Ceremony at West High.  Congratulations!  This is truly a monumental accomplishment.

Meanwhile Talia unleashed her creative side, whether in projects for IB art or crocheting Christmas gifts.

A true Swiftie, through and through.

As for me, I can never get away from the photos.  I kind of want to give this one to myself.

Annika's homemade Christmas gifts were more serpentine.

The reptile theme coordinates well with the free-roaming iguana we discovered pillaging tortoise food at SeaQuest Aquarium.

This December saw familiar sights like the crazy house on 18th Ave...

...and discovered new sites, like the giant gingerbread display at the Little America hotel.  1800 eggs and 500 lbs of royal icing created this masterpiece!

It wouldn't be December without our annual ward Christmas celebration.  This year's Christmas breakfast was exceptional thanks to all the hard work from Kalleen Wright and Tami Kamerath.

Jason took some beautiful pictures of ward members.  I'm going to toss out a few names just to remember decades from now.  Here we have our neighbors Aubri and Mark Harmon.

Joey Kamerath.

Chuck Clark, our ward clerk extraordinaire.

Stacy Kelly, our amazing Relief Society President.

David Nielson, seated with his wife Judith.

No kid names for privacy purposes, but they sure are adorable!

Tyler and Sarah Jenson, looking so very proud as they watch their daughter sing.  It was beautiful!

Anne Vinsel.

Larry Montgomery, one of Annika's favorite Primary teachers.

Bob Tensmeyer and Glorianna Tillemann-Dick, our adorable Primary song leaders.

Annika made a pretty sweet sheep.

Santa even came for a visit.

Zach may have outgrown Santa's lap, but is definitely on the "Nice" list.

Last but not least, a Christmas party just for the youth.  These youngsters mean the world to Jason!

They like their bishop too, almost as much as they like their mascot tree branch, Jeremy.

Bet you all wish you could have Bishop Approved Socks!

Sweet December dreams all, even in springtime.