Hello Everyone!

Holy cow...things have been so crazy!  I got behind on my blogging the week of Thanksgiving and then everything got messed up.  Let me just say Thanksgiving was awesome!  We had Thanksgiving at my mom's house.  We had quite the crowd.  Angie and Justin didn't end up coming down until the next day because Justin got home late from a hunting trip, but my sisters, their significant others and all the kids were there, my step sisters, my aunt, uncle and two of my cousins.  I think there were 13 adults and 8 kids.  I may have counted wrong, but something like that.  We had a ton of fun.  I didn't brave the crowds on "Black Friday" but I did end up stopping by Sam's Club to get some of the Christmas presents I'd already picked out. We're trying to do a more simple Christmas anyway so the need to get up early for cheap stuff we don't need was not there. Saturday we had a late Thanksgiving with my dad and Suzanne. We had a great time there as well.  It's just great to be able to spend time with family around the holidays.  We're lucky to have so many people close by.  I posted the pictures from Thanksgiving at my mom's and Thanksgiving at my dad's on my little website so click HERE if you want to take a look at those.  You'll have to click the Dad's Thanksgiving link to view the pictures from Saturday.

Last Tuesday I woke up stiff as can be.  I'm not sure what I did, but my back and neck were killing me.  I had practically no range of motion and was in tons of pain.  I ended up going to the doctor, who referred me to a physical therapist and to a chiropractor that day.  I think I sat on the couch for the majority of the week trying to get better, but feeling miserable.  I couldn't get into the physical therapist until this week so I went back to the chiropractor Friday while a dear friend watched my kids (thanks Brandy) and also went to a massage therapist that night.  I spent a whole lot of money I did not have searching for the slightest bit of relief.  By Saturday I was still in pain, but it was manageable so after our ward's Christmas breakfast, we went to St. George to visit my grandparents for a few days.  The Primary had to sing for the Christmas party and it turned out really cute.  We borrowed some clothes from a friend and dressed some of the oldest primary kids up like the people in the nativity.  It was so cute.  The girl who played Mary even had her baby brother play baby Jesus. He's probably 6 months old, but was on the verge of a nap and was so precious in her arms.  We sang Picture a Christmas, Away in a Manger and Silent Night.  It was really cool.  Even just practicing for it, I could really feel the Spirit.  The kids were so sweet and obedient and reverent - at least for that part.  Once Santa showed up, it was a mad house.  Anyway, it was a cool Christmas party.  

St. George was really fun.  I tried to be careful with my back and neck, but I did some activities that would help loosen the muscles.  We went hiking a couple times, took the kids to this fun plastic bounce toy place called Jumpin' Jacks, went to church with grandma (where I actually got to go to Sunday School and Relief Society and both kids were good in their classes), had WAY too much good food thanks to my talented chef of a grandma, went shopping for a couple Christmas items and needed work clothes for Marcos, and just had fun spending time with the family.  We went for a walk one night just to see the Christmas lights.  That was probably the highlight of the kids' visit - go figure.  Sometimes it's the simple stuff!  I'll have to post pictures from St. George when I have a minute.  Right now I've got to run pick up Dylan from preschool. But I'm back...hopefully for good.  Now I've got to catch up on all the Christmas stuff I've been putting off.  I hate not being prepared - it's so not my style!!