It was the last week of school before Christmas break! Cali and Chey are still on "alternating day schedule" which means they had only two days of in-school learning. They did have a big history paper due this weekend and it took a lot of their time and made them pretty stressed out! In fact, we were going to do another USTA tournament this weekend, but I pulled them out because they just had too much to do. They had tennis lessons and some practices. They also both worked at Funfinity and, of course, those hours they spend at the toy store have been busy! They also had another basketball game this week. Two of their players were out of town so they only had five to play! They got tired but they played great and won and had a lot of fun! Also, they had friends over Friday night and went to a friend's house on Saturday night to watch Elf. They both finished their papers! Now they are ready for Christmas break!

Savannah has been very busy at Funfinity, as well. Thankfully, the owner's family has been cleared of COVID so they were not short-staffed this week. Savannah's biggest struggle is with customers who don't want to wear masks. She gets at least one a day, although she says that for the most part, everyone is very accommodating.

Bethany was counting the days until school ended! She brought home her baritone so she can learn a Christmas song. We are excited. On Thursday night, after karate, she made snickerdoodle blondies and brought some to school to give as gifts to her friends. Today, she painted her nails especially for Christmas!

Benjamin made a light-up house with his picture on it for us for Christmas. It's super cute! He and Max have been making epic Minecraft worlds. Whenever Bethany can, she drags them off to play an imagination game with her and the Mila's, if they are over. They spent a couple of hours in Max's hot tub that looks over the valley Saturday night. They sure slept well that night!

Mariah got to see the tree at Rockefeller Center! We sure miss her, but are glad she's having a good Christmas season, too!

I'm so thankful for the beauty that Christ gives to the world and for this time of year that we celebrate His birth!

Savannah worked everyday this week again. She had one day where she didn't have to work a full shift, but she had to help out her sisters because she has a big heart like that! The owner's family which makes up almost half of the regular employees, got quarantined this week so it made it even crazier than usual. They are super grateful for Savannah! As are we!

Cheyenne and Cali had a very busy week. They had tennis Monday thru Wednesday, they worked at Funfinity, and they helped with service projects for Hope Squad (responding to letters for Santa)  and Key Club (food drive). Not to mention a physics test and all their regular homework! Cali also organized a party for all their friends at our house Saturday night (wearing masks!). They built gingerbread houses out of graham crackers and played games. Fun times!

I told Cali she had a perfect 80's hairdo this week!

Also of note, Cali and Chey had their first city league basketball game! It's really fun to see them playing with their friends and getting to play most of the game (there's only seven players!) and having Kevin be their coach.

Beth and Ben had karate. Ben tried out Coding Club at the library on Monday with Max. Also, it snowed this weekend so Beth, Ben, Max, and Claire all went sledding on Saturday. That night they played Werewolf in Ben's room. It's fun that they can all play together!

Kevin watched a BYU basketball game followed by a BYU football game Saturday night. That's what he loves! After it snowed in the morning, he took Beth and Ben with him to shovel our driveway and some neighbors'!

That afternoon, when they were bored, Cali got Beth and Ben doing some Christmas crafts. What a great idea!

I'm writing everyday. I'm also trying to walk more. This week I went walking with my two new neighbors. We are becoming friends! I also still try to walk even when it snows:

Savannah worked six days this week! She really enjoys helping out at the store and especially loves it when either Cali or Cheyenne are there. She knows enough about the store that she frequently changes displays and increases sales. She's pretty much a Funfinity rockstar. I think by Saturday, though, she was reaching burnout. Thank goodness for Sundays!

Cheyenne and Calianne had school twice this week, but were busy with at-home school work, as well. They both had a tennis lesson on Tuesday and piano on Monday (this is always online). They went to group tennis on Wednesday. Saturday morning they were able to do a service project together with youth city council making lap quilts for the elderly. They also got together with friends a few times this week, but they wore masks!

Cheyenne worked at Funfinity on Monday and again on Friday. Calianne worked on Thursday and Saturday. They also got to help with another service project through YCC where they helped as Santa's elves for children visiting with Santa at the art museum. That was fun and they got cute shirts, too!

Bethany stayed home a day this week because she wasn't feeling well, but she has been doing better! She and Ben had karate on Tuesday and Thursday. They've also been playing with Max. On Saturday they made airplanes and launched them from Max's indoor balcony. Good times!

Ben has been talking about his "Big Brain." When he does something smart, he says, "That's my big brain."

Bethany loves to play Among Us (along with other games), but on Friday night, she and her friend, Claire, drew each of the Among Us characters and made their own video. That was pretty creative!

I hope y'all are being creative with your lives, too!