When we unpacked the stockings this year, we found this old stocking that said "JOY" across the top.  Jess had the brilliant idea to add an 'E' and make it a stocking for Joey.

So now, we are not only the family that hangs a stocking for their dog, but we are also the family that personalizes said stocking with a Sharpie.

You know, classy.

 This is my view every weekday morning from 6:00 until 6:45 AM.  It is the back entrance to our church, where Jessica has early morning seminary.  I drive her there, then sit in my car while she has class.

And, this is what I do as I wait.  I read my book, drink an ice cold Diet Coke (yes, at 6 AM - don't judge me), and listen to the radio.  It is actually quite delightful.  Knowing I can do this for 45 minutes makes it easy for me to drag my hiney out of bed at 5:45.

There are a couple of other seminary parents who also spend the time in their cars in the parking lot, but they appear to sleep.  I usually can't see them until they spring their seats up at 6:45 when their child opens the car door and the overhead light comes on.  There seems to be an unspoken rule that none of the pajama-clad parents look at or acknowledge each other at this ungodly hour.  It's really better that way.

This morning, I flipped on the Today Show while I was folding some laundry, and I lucked into seeing this interview with some of the cast of Downton Abbey, which, of course, I love.

I have no idea what anyone talked about, because I got so distracted by the guy in the blue sweater, whom I did not recognize.  At first, I thought he must be a new character they are introducing in season 3, but then I remembered I have already seen season 3, and I still didn't know who he is.

Finally the chick doing the interview mentioned that he is the guy who plays Thomas, who is pure evil on the show.  I was seriously amazed. 

This is what he looks like on Downton Abbey:

 

 See--pure evil.

Maybe it was absence of the tuxedo and severe part in his hair, or maybe it was just that he actually had a pleasant look on his face, but I honestly did not know it was the same guy.  I am ashamed to call myself a fan.

I've been wanting to snap a family picture for our Christmas cards this year, but somehow I forget to do it when we are all together.  Tonight, I was doing the dishes and Adam was changing to go to basketball, when I remembered and frantically gathered everyone into the living room to take a picture before some of us had to leave.

I put the camera on the shelf (crooked, apparently) and set the timer.  Then, we all stood staring at the blinking green light while I yelled "smile" and "look at the camera" over and over.

Joey did not understand the directions.  Neither did Adam or Luke.

Another attempt.  Luke, you are so hilarious.

I am posting these here, because they will NOT be on our Christmas cards this year.  Nobody wants to see this.

These pictures will heretofore be known as the As-Is Christmas Photos.

Merry As-Is Christmas.

 Tonight was Adam's choir Christmas concert, which was a huge deal to him.  He auditioned for a solo, and won one of the elf parts in their Polar Express medley, so that's why he gets to wear the cool hat.  

Adam seriously blows me away.  I wish I had half of his self-confidence.

(Again, this picture was not actually taken on the day of its post.  I was too sad by Brad's parents leaving to remember to snap a photo.  And, I took a killer nap.)

Here we are decorating the Christmas tree on Friday night.  Our ward missionaries came to dinner that night, then they helped us assemble the tree.  Our ward elders are serious cutie-patooties, so after they left, there was much holiday cheer at our house (*wink* Jessica), which resulted in the kids getting everything decorated and ready for Christmas.

Tonight, Brad and I were invited to his boss's house for an executive Christmas party.  I'm not going to lie--I was pretty grumpy that I had to go.  We'd planned on going to a rodeo with Brad's parents, and I was seriously disappointed that I had to miss out on that.

So, while Brad and I hobnobbed with the yuckity-yucks, Mark and Lois were at the rodeo with our kids whoopin' it up.

I would much rather sit in a stadium seat, surrounded by loudspeaker country music and the smell of manure, than make polite conversation over a catered dinner any day.