Cousin Christmas Party

Since Grandpa and Grandma Arveseth are on their mission, we voted not to meet on Christmas Day.  We decided to do a cousin party/dinner and gift exchange instead.

 We met at a bowling alley the Saturday before Christmas. We bowled a couple of games....

Took some cute pictures of the cousins and then headed to Doug & Cath's house for pizza dinner and opening presents.  We took a lot of pictures and posted them on Instagram to show Grandma & Papa what we were doing.

 The great thing was that the PA Arvy's were bowling and having a party on the same day! It was almost like being together.  Well, not really, but we did feel connected over the many miles.

 We all had a great time and have thought it would be great to do every year!

 Scott & Kellie, Doug & Cath, Mike & I all went to dinner in early December instead of exchanging gifts.  We went to Valter's Osteria.  Food was delish, Valter was charming and the time spent with each other was priceless.

We decided we needed to get the kids together every other month and that the adults needed to get together that often also.

So, watch for parties in February!

All of December seemed so busy, as usual. Mike & I went to the Ward Adult Christmas progressive dinner.  It was enjoyable, especially since this time around we weren't in charge!

I had also attended the ward baptism earlier that day as part of my presidency duties.

We took the kids to Temple Square. Always a favorite activity.

We all helped with the Primary Christmas party. I guess when one person in the family is in a presidency, the rest of the family gets volunteered to help.  I have a great hubby and fantastic kids that came to help put this on.  It was a Christmas around the World theme and we had a few people in the ward present other country's Christmas traditions.  They were so awesome!  We broke the kids into 4 groups and rotated which made the morning much more manageable.

We also helped throw the neighborhood Donation Party again.  The neighbors came out in full force this year! Nicole and I delivered the goods to the local Women and Children's Center and they were amazed at the generosity of our neighbors.

Mike & I went to Denver for Baileys Denver offices Christmas party, the day after the Salt Lake office Christmas party.  We had a great time.  We saw a movie, had sushi for lunch and drove through some neighborhoods and toured a model home to kill time.  Thanks to my Mom who stayed with the kids and to the many neighbors who drove our kids to their activities!

Rachel Orison had her annual cookie exchange party.  So delish! Her new house is beautiful!  I went to lunch with Elise for our birthdays.  In between all of these activities we had soccer game, soccer practice, cheer, dance, private tumble lessons, piano teaching, ballet, basketball games, lunch activities at the jr high, I worked at the elementary as a playground sub and library sub., visiting teaching, home teaching, choir practices, sharing time, wrapping trees for Festival of Trees, 12 days of Christmas for some neighbors, Andrew's homecoming, primary talk, sold the Tahoe, playing for Stake Christmas fireside and Christmas shopping!

That gets me to the evening of my birthday...for the next post :)