The best thing that happened for Thanksgiving was that we had Erin visit.  She was here only a few days, but it was great to get to see her.  We picked her up at midnight at the airport in a traffic jam we had never seen before there!!  I guess everyone was getting here for a visit.  We finally got her and got her home.  We hung out and talked a long time and then went to bed.  What a treat to have her.  Then next day was Thanksgiving and we went to Barneys for a delicious dinner.  We played Clue with Barneys, came home and played Rummikub.  The next day we watched a television series Erin liked, and then we went to see Thor, Ragnarok with Barneys.  Saturday we just hung out and talked, the best part, and then she had to leave.  Fast and really fun.  We look forward to seeing her again after Christmas when we help her move her stuff into her new house!!  What a life change for Erin!  It will be refreshing for her to be close to Evanses even though she leaves cherished family members behind in Utah.  Just gives us more reason to visit Illinois. 

We did the quilt puzzle for Thanksgiving and have kept the table up since then doing different puzzles in our spare time.  I have been sick the last two weeks and have appreciated staying in my pjs and working the puzzles and reading.  Yesterday was the first I have felt normal and am getting better as time goes on. 

Yesterday was an interesting mixture of experiences.  I finally felt like going out and visiting some of my visiting teaching ladies and primary kids so I jumped in the car and took off.  Got to Walgreens to pick up some stuff and then the car wouldn't start when I was ready to move on.  I called Dad and he planned to come jump the battery, but then he called back and said the garage door was stuck and wouldn't open.  :o(  So we called Jon and he and Sam came over and helped lift the door so the man could get out.  He came, jumped the car and then he took the car to drive a little and build up the battery and I took the truck to my duties.  But what a combination of things!  We had a repairman come out and we will have it fixed this coming week.  At least the cars are out and the garage is closed and everything in it is safe from pilfering. 

Almost half way through December!  The year seems to have flown by.  We put up the Christmas tree last week and decorated it and I love seeing the lights and sparkles off the shiny balls.  We also put up the nativity and the stockings.  It's fun to have some of the old things out again and remember other Christmases.. 

We had a little excitement the other day!  When we got up in the morning we saw snow!!  What a surprise!  It didn't last all day, but it was really fun to see for the morning.  There are lots of people here who have never seen snow.  I remember going to Utah from California and being so excited to see a little flurry at a gas station where we stopped.  I had lived in it when I was at school, but not for a long time.  It's fun when you don't have to drive in it every day and scrape it off the windshield every morning. 

Did I already tell you I have a twin at church?  She is Harriet Swank and everyone talks to me as if I'm her.  How are the scouts doing?  etc and I have to say, oops, wrong person.  Here is a picture of us to let you decide if we look that much alike.  It's funny to have it happen.  

We are going to the dentist Wednesday and then to the doctor for physicals Thursday.  Getting along with our missionary applications.  Then we will submit the papers and see what happens.  Kristin says Sean is already telling everyone there that we are coming.  I hope we are.  Never can tell till it's real.  I am trying to brush up on my French and trying to think of how I can be useful there.  We will see how it works out.  

Thank you for being you.  We love you with all our hearts and pray for your welfare and happiness many times a day.