December

We had a fun December. Here are some random snapshots of our month:

On a one-on-one time date with Natalie:

On my birthday lunch with Eli at (where else?)...McDonald's:

We finally ordered Nate his scriptures and it has been so fun to watch him read from them:

Eli had to have his own scriptures, too:

We met Mary and Andrew and their kids on their side of the peninsula to go to a fun area that has tons of Christmas lights. It was beautiful!

We had really warm weather in December and one night I checked the weather on the coast and made a spontaneous decision to take a mental health day and go to the beach. I was so glad I did! It was a really fun day. We went to Roosevelt Beach in Half Moon Bay and met some friends there:

Joe's one Christmas request was to see a performance of The Messiah at Grace Cathedral so we got tickets and had a fun date night. 

The music was beautiful. I did wish we were closer up, though, because we couldn't see much and the way the sound carried made it tricky to hear everything. We didn't quite stay the whole time either so we could get back before too late. I loved sharing Joe's love of that music with him.

We also had his work party in the city, too, at a delicious Chinese food place:

It was fun to meet more of his coworkers. They are all really great people.

We had a ward Christmas around the world potluck dinner and it was awesome! There was so much amazing food! I loved it so much. The kids also put on a nativity play. Natalie got to be the angel and had some lines. Eli was a cute cow and Nate go to be the curtain guy and loved that!

I loved Eli's expression in these:

Natalie's part:

There was even a visit from Santa!

We also got to see Santa at Grandma and Grandpa's house again. We had smaller numbers this year with the Nelsons gone and Emily on her mission but it was still a lot of fun.

Eli really wanted to buy that hat when we were out shopping one day and I couldn't resist. He loved wearing it all the time--especially at his birthday party. :)

Elizabeth asked for more knitting supplies, Natalie asked for a chemistry set, and Nate and Eli asked for new Wii games.