Here we have Ben doing one of his favorite things – plugging things in, watching them turn on, unplugging things, watching them turn off.  I know that I should actually have plug covers in every outlet and not allow him to play with electrical appliances.  But really, do you think a plug cover would do anything other than just slow him down?  We have our freezer downstairs plugged into a surge protector.  Ben plugged in the old lamp we have downstairs into the same surge protector.  Then he enjoys flipping the lighted switch for the surge protector on and off and watching the lamp go on and off.  He did this repeatedly while I was downstairs cleaning out the spoiled food from the freezer.  Apparently he had played that game before!

Basketball practice started this week for Springville Recreation teams.  That meant that Kevin, Megan, and Sarah had two games this week in Mapleton and a practice for their new Springville team.  The team I’m coaching with Mariah on it, also had our first practice this week.  Basketball season is in full swing!  Kevin, Megan, and Sarah had a great week in Mapleton.  I didn’t get to see the games, but apparently, our girls are turning into quite good players!  Yay!
On Friday of this week was our ward Christmas party.  The food was good and the company was great and the entertainment was tender.  Our primary did a retelling of the nativity.  Calianne and Cheyenne had narrator parts and Mariah got to be Mary.  Here is a picture of everyone on stage:

Mariah won’t let me post a picture of her being Mary and since she was right in front of Cali and Chey while they did their narrator parts, I can’t post pictures of them, either!  So, instead, you get to look at this picture, and say, “Yep.  That’s a ward Christmas party!”
On Thursday, we had bookclub at my neighbor’s house.  She had extra sugar cookies and frosting, so she invited my children over to help her finish them up.  Yay!  We are very good at helping neighbors finish up sugary things.
We got our Christmas tree on Saturday, but Calianne was sick with the stomach flu.    Poor girl!  She was so sick.  She couldn’t even drink Ginger Ale without throwing it right back up.  She is such a cheerful little soul, though, even when she is sick, she tries to stay cheerful.  So, we couldn’t decorate the tree without Cali!  Fortunately, she was feeling better by Sunday evening, so we picked the ornaments up off the floor where they had been played with and scattered and put them up on the tree where they belong (and where we hope they will stay!).

Now we are ready for the Christmas season!  Merry Christmas everyone!