I truly have the best husband. Today he gave me an early Christmas present: an afternoon at the spa. It was relaxing; it was luxurious; it is deeply appreciated.

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Simon watching the Grinch (also called “that naughty green lady”—it took me a while to figure that one out).

DPP pics from past years: 2006 2008 2009 2010

It is so, so, so good to have dear friends back in town for the holidays (and wedding!).

Simon snapped a few (hundred) frames too, which had the littler ones giggling.

DPP pics from past years: 2006 2008 2009 2010

We went in for a regular midwife appointment today. Baby’s heart rate was elevated, so they hooked me up to the monitor for awhile to make sure she wasn’t stressed. All is well, it seems. And now I have my very own set of velcro straps (one pink and one blue)—just add it to the list of weird things to carry around in my purse toward the end of pregnancy.

Jason took a picture of me all hooked up to the monitor that I actually didn’t hate. Simon, though, said, “Mommy, you look kind of different in that picture, don’t you?” When I asked him what he meant, he said, “Your face looks kind of weird.” So, sorry, Internet, you won’t be seeing that one today.

DPP pics from past years: 2006 2008 2009 2010

The kids at Redeemer had their Christmas program tonight. (Simon had practiced with the choir, but he has been sick the past couple of days and had to miss the performance tonight.) They did great, with plenty of sweet antics to make the parents and grandparents chuckle. Our little friend Josh recited the whole Christmas story. It was kind of a rap, and it was awesome.

DPP pics from past years: 2006 2008 2009 2010

A bedtime jam session.

DPP pics from past years: 2006 2008 2009 2010

Helping Grandma decorate the memory tree. Everything goes at the top!

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Among the myriad reasons I am thankful to have my dear friend Joie back in town is that I had always hoped that she would be around to teach my kids to dance. Today was our last day of our first Music and Movement class. The kids loved it—they would sing the songs and/or play the games for days afterwards. Cuteness abounded, and it would have been fun to catch on film had I been a bit more nimble (ok, a lot more nimble). The good news is that Joie plans to offer more classes after the first of the year. We’re in!

DPP photos from past years: 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

“I do!” and its variations “I doooooo!” or “No! I do!” are Ian’s constant refrain. Just two weeks away from his second birthday, he is quite the independent little guy. This morning he got his own bowl from the drawer and pushed his chair over to reach the cereal and poured himself a “nack” (snack). Then he scooted his chair over to the sink to get his own water.  He needed “hep!” to turn the water on, but then Mommy was no longer needed (he let me know in no uncertain terms).

DPP pics from past years: 2005 2008 2009 2010

We spent a lovely morning with friends. I got to sit on the couch and put my feet up and have a great conversation that I didn’t want to end while the boys got played with and catered to and generally spoiled. I can’t even begin to say what a blessing it was. What could be better?

Sadly, I didn’t pull out my camera to document any of the actual fun, but I remembered it in time to catch this one of Jacob and Kiah who had (along with Micah) come out to help buckle the kiddos into the van. Just a few minutes earlier I had left the room with Simon wailing, “I don’t want to go hooooooome!” and had come back to find both the boys happily putting on coats and boots. I don’t know how they did it. I don’t think there was any bribery involved—it’s that the Odells are just that good. 

DPP pics from past years: 2005 2006 2008 2009 2010