It's the most wonderful time of the year

Some of the fun activities that have kept us busy lately . . .

The girl's night out with Brenda and Shelly was a blast! We ate dinner at a VERY nice restaurant (I'm too embarrassed to admit how much we spent on dinner. Good thing we had a gift card), saw a movie, got fancy cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory, spent the night at the Embassy Suites hotel in Kansas City, stayed up talking and laughing until 5:00 a.m., ate a yummy breakfast and spent the day shopping. What a fun break from our usual lives!
Lindsey had a darling preschool Christmas program. She attends preschool at a Methodist church, so it's nice to hear the kids sing songs about CHRIST and not just Santa.

A snow day off school last week. There was a lot of relaxing, laying around in pajamas and drinking hot chocolate. The kids also worked on this gingerbread village. I took this picture before they had a chance to put on the colored frosting and candies.

Yesterday Brevan had his first piano recital. He was nervous, but had practiced so much that he had his two songs memorized. He did a duet of "Time to Celebrate" with his piano teacher, and a solo of "We Wish You a Merry Christmas."

Other interesting things:

I had an orthodontist appt. last week, and am excited to announce that Brevan will not be the only Ellefsen in braces this year. I am getting the braces on the backs of my teeth at the beginning of January. I will only have to wear them for about 7 months, and then I get a permanent retainer. I can't wait to have straight teeth again! My parents paid for braces when I was a teenager, and I never wore my retainer after getting the braces off. Sorry, Mom and Dad!

We attended Ryan's work Christmas party this past weekend. It was a fun event, as usual, and the food was delicious.

This week will be equally busy, with school "Winter Festivities" parties (It is so annoying that they aren't called Christmas parties anymore), Brevan and Brynlie's choir concert, and dance performances by both our girls.

Only 11 days until Christmas! I can't wait!!