Pre-Christmas Activities That May or May Not Have to do with Christmas

 There are plenty of activities that happen right before Christmas.  Some are in preparation for Christmas and some, well, not so much.

I have no idea what this is all about.  I just needed to include it for future black mail.  Wait, D.J. just told me that he is hiding one of Roxy's tennis balls under this neckerchief. I think a knit hat would've been easier, but perhaps the camouflage helps distract Roxy from the ball?

Roxy must have gotten over the ball hiding incident.

While we're on the subject of Roxy, Spencer has made great strides where dogs are concerned, wouldn't you say?

We do a lot of reading at our house. Even our dog likes books.

Spencer has joined a recreational wrestling team in preparation for the Jr. High team in the coming year.  He's the one not in a singlet. Yet.

James likes to go to the Utah basketball games with Dad.  Mark got really good seats this year in the 6th row. Swoop visits the lower bowl seats more often than the upper bowl, so James was able to get a picture with the famed red-tailed hawk. Go Utes!

Spencer made an apron, along with other items in his career tech class.  He was so excited to use it that he made pancakes for everybody one morning.

James has been practicing the ukelele with his class all fall in preparation for this Christmas concert. Some of the songs he played were, Silent Night (James played the tone bells for that one), In the Jungle (James played drums), Oh, Susanna, I've Been Working on the Railroad, Rock Around the Clock and I'm On Top of the World.  Every so often he would look at me and wink. I'm such a fan!

James also had a sing-along at his school before it let out for Christmas break.  

He sang "Gift of Love."

We had our Christmas dinner with our friends from Minnesota, the Parkinsons.  Despite what it looks like, the boys were all calm and peaceful on the couch.

We also had the Davis dinner where we exchanged gifts and the boys got goofy t-shirt from Natalie and family.

Lastly, we got a surprise visit from the Watson kids (who really do not have demonic glowing eyes) when their babysitter got the flu and Loni and Matt needed a new baby sitter. So glad we were close enough to be next in line! They are getting some god belly laughs while watching "Home Alone 2."