Todd, Layla, Jeffrey, Jackson, Logan, and Esme Hardy: December Traditions...

As next week descends, I am feeling more and more "ready". I got a lot done yesterday with Todd as the fuel. He was so tired of not having presents under the tree, he just got sick of it and said, "We're doing our Christmas shopping today." That was that. So, while the boys were at school, we did some and then, after we picked them up, we did the rest. I really think one more trip out for a few last minute things and we are done! I am contemplating getting gift cards for the rest of the presents needed. People always like those. They can get what they want. I don't know, we'll see.

In the meantime, we are looking at the last full week of school before our 14 day break, the preparations for Christmas dinner, and the celebration of our Savior's birth. I am excited. Finally. It seems like there is so much going on, I have to get close to it to enjoy it. This last year has taught me that it is best for me to live as "in the moment" as I can. It cuts down on my tendency to "worry" about stuff and it allows me to fully appreciate where I am in any given moment. It's a good trend for me. The bad news about it though is that it seems like I can't really ramp up to anything. I don't know if that's really bad, it just is. So, now that Christmas is 9 days away, I am beginning to see it come around. I am, finally, excited for Logan's first Christmas, for Christmas Eve dinner at my house with my family, for all the traditions that mean Christmas for me Hardys.

This past week we were in Las Vegas for the National Finals Rodeo. It was so awesome! Thanks to Laurie for getting me those tickets! I love it so much every single year. Jeff and Jackson went to Alamo for two days and spent quality time with their "Papa" there. Logan stayed with Todd and I and went to the rodeo. He was such a trooper! Between the rodeo and the Cowboy Christmas trade show, he was way off schedule, shorted several naps, and ridden hard, but he hung in there and even had a GREAT time!

Turns out that he really likes the show, the music, and the rodeo. He was riveted by the events, danced whenever there was music on, and loves arena food. It was so fun to have him along. My parents were our companions as were my friend Andrea and her fiancee' Jason. They were all so much fun to have along! I don't celebrate well alone so, the more, the merrier! I am glad we did it, and after 5 straight years of attendance, I am pretty sure that it is now one of our fully-entrenched December traditions.

Today I am ordering our Honeybaked Ham and our eggnog from Winder Dairy. My family will be coming for Christmas Eve dinner and I am excited to have them. I need to prepare! This week we will be attending tithing settlement, some more choir performances, the temple, and my nephew Jake's birthday party celebration. Jake turned four last week but we were gone. We will be going to Salt Lake on the Frontrunner train and will be having dinner and seeing a movie with him. I can't believe he is four years old! I remember his birth, I was so blessed to be there! I sent out our Christmas cards yesterday and so you shall be receiving one soon. I hope. So, choir performances, tithing settlement, Honeybaked Ham, Christmas Eve dinner, the NFR, Jake's birthday, Christmas cards, these are all December traditions that we are participating in and we are so glad to have you along. There are more, I'm just not there yet. Still in the moment.

On a "farm" note, the chickens are pretty boring. They are all alive and are surviving the colder weather and the periodical snow we are having here. The new chickens (Feathers Kaboom-Pellet and Parmesan) are starting to fit in, though one of them keeps dorkily laying eggs outside. What is that about? We did inherit a new family member yesterday. Right after I wrote, printed, and copied my annual Christmas letter too! Oh well, he'll be on there next year. His name is Levi and he is a naughty indoor cum outdoor cat. He has joined our other two mousers Charlotte and Tom. He is actually their litter mate. He was peeing in the house and shredding stuff and so his owner asked me if we would add him to our crew. Todd and I figured that we would be the best home for him, even if he is declawed, because he can be in the garage if he needs to. Besides, what's one more cat? I draw the line at three though. It's three more than I ever said I would have. But for the mice, I wouldn't have any. I'm not really a "cat" person. I hate the mice though. They better do their job. That's all I can say about that. So Levi looks just like Tom only he's not as fat. He's scared and cute but I'm sure he'll fit in eventually.