Sunday, January 13, 2019

wow, posting 2 weeks in a row!

The big news of the week is that Eric had his driver's test on Wednesday and passed! So, he now has his license. He's had his permit for years, but was away at school for so long that he wasn't getting any practice in at all, so he didn't get his license sooner. Congratulations, Eric!

The house was definitely quieter this week without everyone here all day long. That lasted for a few days...and then Hannah and Kaellen officially moved in yesterday. They will only be here for a few months and then head off to school somewhere...the where has yet to be determined. It will be nice to have them here. I missed having Hannah around.

Church seems a bit weird...just 2 hours instead of 3 now. Since we still get out at 2, the afternoon seems the same, but the morning seemed long since we don't go in until 12 instead of 11. I really like the change, though.

I don't know how much of a difference the new schedule will make for our Sundays, but we are trying harder to have family gospel study together during the week and it's quite nice. Because of our different schedules, we don't often have dinner all together most nights. Our effort to study our Sunday School lessons brings us together a bit more. It's nice.

Alex is doing well at Dairy Queen. They keep giving him little raises. Now they are training him to cook on the breakfast shift. Once he completes that training, he will get another $.25/hour. He says he doesn't enjoy cooking as much as working the counter. He likes visiting with the customers and when he cooks, he's alone.

So, 2019 seems to be off to a good start.

Sunday, January 6, 2019

Christmas

Congratulations to my parents who just celebrated their 62nd anniversary just before Christmas! Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!

Christmas time was a blast. It was a very nice few weeks. We were missing Andrew and his family, but Ryan and Angeles made it in from Idaho. And my parents weren't here for Christmas itself, but were here before that for 2 weeks and after that for a day. Being together is the best part of Christmas.

We didn't do much, however (as if we ever do). Some families travel or have some activity like skiing or sledding or whatever. Our activities involved a lot of sitting. We ate, played games (though I didn't play very many myself), and ate some more. There was some shopping (that involved some activity) and visiting and movie viewing, too.

And, of course, the annual Perazzo clan Christmas caroling. The weather was kind of mild, so we didn't freeze like we sometimes do. So, it mostly went well except we do owe a big apology to the Lee family who had to listen to our off-key singing. Hannah and Kaellen joined us at the next house-- the singing was much improved after that.

Christmas service at church on Sunday the 23rd was quiet nice. There was music, of course, both to listen to and to sing along with and 2 great talks. How grateful we are for the birth of Jesus Christ, for His life and teachings, and His great Atonement.

Christmas morning itself was a slow go. It was great. We don't rush things around here. Ryan found the pickle we hide every year (the paper mache one Eric made in 2nd grade which started this tradition), so he got to be the first to pass out a gift (which didn't happen until almost noon).

New Year's Eve was a quiet affair here. We actually stayed up. That's about the extent of the excitement.

Ryan and Angeles went home yesterday. :( Things would be calming down now, but Hannah and Kaellen have been in the process of moving in. So, things may not be exactly calm, but there will be more of a routine once school starts this week.

Tomorrow is a big day in that Andrew starts his new teaching job at Higley High in Arizona. He finished up his Masters and his student teaching just before Christmas and now will be teaching 10th and 11th grade English for the Higley High Eagles. Good luck Andrew! We're so excited for you!

Now that my Sunday School calling is over, I have received a new calling. I am now in charge of the ward bulletin. I think it's a good calling for me. I just need to learn to use google docs better so it won't be such a frustrating experience. Less stress than teaching, for sure. But now that we won't be having announcements over the pulpit, it's important to have the info in the bulletin accurate and thorough.


pickle hunting!

Ryan found it first!


Eric's napping while Alex plays Santa

a good time had by all