Party Time

We've been partying hard the past few days.  Friday the 16th was our office Christmas dinner.  It turned out really nice and we had a lot of fun.  We have awesome employees and that makes life wonderful.  The only one who didn't have any funa at all was poor Camille.  All the kids went to Grandma Matheson's for the evening but Camille was inconsolable so they brought her back.  She sat on my lap and was miserable all night.  I thought she was having tummy troubles but it turns out she had a double ear infection -- poor thing.

The next morning was the ward breakfast with Santa.  Bradley wasn't feeling good that morning so I stayed home with him and Camille while Alex took the other kids.  I heard it was great fun.  Lydia was cast as an angel for the performance of the Christmas story, there were wagon rides, Santa, and biscuits & gravy for breakfast -- can't beat that.

Sunday afternoon we had dinner at Grandma & Grandpa Matheson's.  Monte was home from his army stint and Lincoln, Michelle & cousin Sadie were there from Dominique and it was fun to visit with them.  That evening we joined up with the Matheson extended family at the Desert Blossom Rehab Center for our annual Christmas Caroling.  The Shumway clan attended in full force so we sounded good.  Our friend Harry Whiting who would join us each year to carol wasn't there anymore but Lucille was there in her wheelchair to lead us in rousing renditions of Jingle Bells, etc.  After the singing it was off to Great-Grandparents Matheson for hot chocolate and goodies.  Grandma Ouida May entertained us with her honky-tonk version of Silent Night -- I wish I had her piano skills.

And last, but not least, Bradley and Carter wowed us at their school Christmas concert.  As usual, it was excellent and the boys both did a great job.  They also really enjoyed the donuts and hot chocolate that Grandpa Matheson treated us to on the way home.   Thanks Grandpa.

Lydia is an angel (3rd from left) in the Christmas play.

Santa arriving by wagon (the same wagon we used in the Christmas parade).

Eve, Santa and Lydia.

Carter.  He was impressed that there was a Mrs. Claus in attendance too.

This cute little guy was visiting his family member and took a liking to Camille.

Camille and Eve spent most of the evening at the (silenced) organ.

Matthew Shumway, Carter & Jessica Page try out Grandpa's trains.

Grandma Ouida May Matheson and the honky-tonk Silent Night.