Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree

Christmas came early for the Hanks! We decided to take the plunge and upgrade to a flat screen TV finally. With cyber Monday deals, we got a TV, Chromecast, and a sound bar. Unfortunately, the TV wasn't in stock, but they were able to have it shipped directly to us. 

Tuesday night we got a Christmas tree. I was hoping to get a tall slender one, but we didn't have much time and found a good full one instead. We set the tree up in the stand and then went over to the Moses' to watch the BYU basketball game against Utah State. The first half was pretty close, but luckily we were able to pull away and get the win! It made putting off decorating the tree worth it.

On Wednesday, Bryce checked on the delivery of the TV and it was being delivered today, a week ahead of schedule! We hadn't even thrown out the old one because I thought I had more time. When I got home, we started cleaning up, but I wasn't strong enough to help Bryce move the old TV. Luckily, we have nice neighbors and Lucas was able to help carry it with Bryce. We then setup the new TV and yet again decorating for Christmas got pushed out another day.

Finally, after work on Thursday we were able to decorate for Christmas. I decided to spice things up and try to decorate a little different than previous years. Bryce picked up Pad Thai from Dang's and we enjoyed the evening.

'Tis the season!

The week went by so quickly that it was Friday before we knew it. We had our ward Christmas party and showed up soon after it started. They served a yummy dinner and we got to see our friends. In between dinner and dessert, there was a short Christmas program. I always enjoy singing Christmas songs! Then we ate lots of cake for dessert. It was a fun party!

Saturday we got up and cleaned the house and packed. We headed up to Seattle around 1PM and the drive went fairly quickly. We stayed with Wes and Anna who were kind enough to host us and it made it so nice since they live very close to downtown. We went to their place first and then went out to dinner at a fun seafood place right on the water with them. After we got ready and went to the Nutcracker. There was quite a bit of traffic around the theater, but we totally lucked out avoiding most of it and getting close parking.We felt so festive and cultured going out to the ballet. And orchestra pits always remind me Vienna!

The actually performance was incredible! The sets and costumes were so amazing and it definitely had a "Where the Wild Things Are" feel. After the first half, Bryce and I read the story summary since we realized we didn't know the Nutcracker story very well. I loved the second act when they had it fake snowing the whole time. It did cause us a little anxiety because we were nervous the dancers would slip on it, but they didn't. The second half was really fun and very different than the traditional Nutcracker. We really enjoyed it and glad we got to see it before it ends this year.

Sunday we slept in and had a leisurely morning getting ready. Wes and Anna's church started at 1PM so we had a yummy pancakes and egg breakfast and watched some football game. After church, we headed home and got ready for another busy week!