Tis the Day Before the Night Before Christmas!

Yep, it's the 23rd, we're heading out of town very soon.... and what am i doing? Blogging! So much has been going on I would hate to wait till January to get a bit caught up... before all of the Christmas stuff anyway.

First off, our little Tianna got her knee injection on Tuesday, the 21st! WHAT A MIRACLE! They said she'd feel almost 100% better within about 24 hours... it just seemed too good too be true (I was thinking of how it is kind of like Jesus promising that bathing in a certain pool, or rubbing mud on someone's eyes could heal them.) And like those miracles, this miracle worked too!
It's only been 2 days and she has almost her full range of motion that she had before November! Her thigh muscle shrunk significantly while she wasn't using it hardly at all (walking like a pirate with a pegged leg most of the time) so she does limp a bit still because of the muscle loss, but the pain and swelling is GONE! She runs and jumps and excitedly says, "Mom I can run again!" It's amazing. Simply amazing!

She was pretty excited to be at Primary Children's for her Joint Injection

She was in pain for about 45 minutes after we left but then after some much needed food she was in good spirits! 

We went to the mall to see Santa Claus and while he was "at lunch" we rode the train.

We were so surprised Adelia didn't scream or try and get away from Santa. She said "Danta Doz" and excitedly pointed to him and WANTED on his lap. Unfortunately they didn't let us get a picture... purchasing only.... and then they took so many trying to get Adelia to look AND smile that after so long she started getting a bit of a freaked out look on her face, but didn't cry.  After the picture, Tianna told him what she wanted and I told him what I wanted for her (for her knee to get better and told him what she had) He was so sweet with her! He gave her several really sincere hugs and said if he could give her anything he would want to give her that.. .then something about how God might have to take care of that one though. It was a really touching experience. He's the best Santa ever!

After the mall we went to Temple Square.  Of course, it was wonderful! We spent about 3 hours there looking in the visitor centers and then waiting for the lights to fully come on. The girl's love it! Especially the Christus and the lights.

 I love how as soon as Adelia saw the Christus she ran up to it, arms wide open for Jesus to pick her up! 

Adelia "helped Daddy push Tianna in the stroller"

Another joy of that day was coming home and finding out Luke's final grade we had anxiously been waiting for. He passed a class we were worried about! Now thankfully, that means only 1 MORE SEMESTER! WOOOOOOOO!

So the 21st was a wonderful day, but we've had some fun on other days too!

 Tianna got to be an angel in the ward Nativity. 

We made cookies. Tianna enjoyed frosting one- Adelia enjoyed eating it while Tianna wasn't looking.

I baked and decorated 5 doz sugar cookies- WHAT WAS I THINKING?!

Here are pictures of the house decor-- Sad to take it down when we get home

 We did a Hawaiian themed Christmas tree this year.... much safter than the usual ornaments--these are mostly plastic! Gotta love the18 month old's curiosity! :)

 Which is also why the Nativity was placed on a high shelf this year too! 

Well I really do need to get ready.  Merry Christmas to all!!!!!!! Please be safe and happy, and remember the REASON FOR THE SEASON!