Of Poopy-Pants Malarkey Makers, Coconut Shell Bikinis (or not), Alyssa's Built-In Limbo Advantage, and Thanksgiving with Those Green Characters

Buenos tardes. Just got back from church, where Alyssa and I spent two fun-filled hours wrangling poopy-pants malarkey makers in the nursery. (The "Poopy-Pants Malarkey Makers" would be an EXCELLENT rock band name.) Seriously, the kiddies were adorable and a good time was had by all. One girl made me pick her up like five times. I think she thought I was her dad or something.

Last night was our ward Christmas party, which had a Hawaiian theme, hence our choices of garb in the accompanying photos. Alyssa's first choice was a grass skirt and a novelty coconut shell bikini top, but we came to the conclusion that some of the nitpicky "Well I NEVER!"-saying grannies in the ward (of whom there are numerous) might not entirely go for that particular dress option, so she wore a wrap-around skirt and a lei instead. The party featured Polynesian dancers as well as a limbo contest, which, as you know, is a CARRIBEAN game, not Hawaiian; nevertheless, Alyssa participated and did quite well (though she does have a bit of a natural advantage, if you know what I mean and I think you do).

We spent Thanksgiving in St. George at my parents' house. It was delightsome to see them as well as Nick, who rode down with us, and of course the always sociable Emmett. Sheridan and Holden weren't there, having decided to spend Thanksgiving with their respective in-laws instead, so those clowns missed out on some KILLER sitting around and eating food. Seriously, we didn't do a ton while we were there, but what's Thanksgiving for? Actually, we did walk the dog at one point, which is a lifetime first for me. Up to this point, I had NEVER walked a dog. And it was truly everything I've dreamed about and more. Also, while rummaging in the basement I found my journal from age 8, which describes in minute detail everything I ate each day. I'm serious. "January 12, 1988. I had Corn Flakes for breakfast. At school it was So-and-So's birthday so we had cupcakes with vanilla frosting. For lunch we had chicken nuggets" and so on. This is a document that our grandchildren will treasure and read to their own grandchildren for generations to come, I have no doubt.