December Tending Dec 16 to 18, 2018

I don't recall this book. Does it belong to one of my kids and got left behind on a visit?  It's really cute. It's a pop-up book!
Rachel found it in the bookcase with the other kids' books in the "toy " room.

Rachel and Logan playing in the "toy" room. Marbleworks is a big hit, but I need some coaching on how to build a good Marbleworks tower. Not my forte.

Singing Christmas Carols around the piano.

Mike reading to Rachel and Logan. He likes to sit on the stool in front of you while you read, instead of next to you. Even if you don't show him the pictures!  He seemed happy to just hear you read the story. Maybe he's just developing a really good imagination of how the story REALLY looks in his head!

Nick and Kaylee planned a little get-away to Las Vegas for a couple of days (Dec 16 and 17) . They came to Cedar City on the Saturday before, visited with us and friends, went to church with us on Sunday morning, then left the kids with us for the next two days. 

For being a first time sleep-away with no parents, they did pretty well.  Sweet kids. Rachel's four, and Logan is two.  They are usually good eaters, play together pretty nicely most of the time, like stories and games.  So my days were full.  And now I know why Nick and Kaylee go to bed so early at their house.  It's tiring. That's why we have our babies while we're younger, right?  This ol' granny was sure tired.  We got brave on Tuesday and ran some errands--WalMart, Bank, Post Office and Great Grandma's house to put up some Christmas decos while she was at the eye doctor.  It was a surprise and they helped!  They set up the little wooden nativity.

Mike has been working on shelling pecans like crazy.  I've candied a lot of them.  I sent some home with Nick and Kaylee, mailed some off to Damian's family, and have some left to give to Gail's and Katie's families when they come, too.  And a few for us, too.  My fingers (thumbs, mostly) sure to hurt after shelling for an hour or two. Not to mention how tense my shoulders/back become from sitting for such a long time.

Nick and Kaylee came home early on Tuesday afternoon.  You have never seen such happy children to see their Mommy!  They wouldn't let her go for a good long time.  Their family headed home shortly after they got back and got the kids, said goodbye to Great Grandma and headed back to the real world.  They did have a nice get-away, though.  Enjoyed eating out (and brought us some Ethel M's chocolate!) and seeing some sights. They saw "Ka" by Cirque de Soliel and really enjoyed it. They stayed at the Bellagio and had a great view of the fountains. Just so you know, when you stay there, you can hear the music that goes with the fountain show in your room by turning on a certain station on the TV. Cool.  I love those fountains.