Jay read a card about an orphan... It turned out to be a soft-shelled turtle!
Here he is swimming in the new home someone helped Jay find for him. Next time I saw him, he was on my counter. Not very attractive creatures.
I would say this was the second prize for the game. Duck heads and chicken feet.
Well, Mike and I looked up what it takes to take care of a turtle, even though we already knew this turtle was best for eating (to some) and not for a pet. It was pretty complicated to take care of him, so we told Jay we should take him to the pond.
We hope he is hibernating and having a nice winter, or that someone ate him quickly and painlessly.
On Christmas Eve, we made cookies for Santa, and then had a rare treat of tortellini (and Mac and Cheese for the boys) for our Christmas Eve Dinner. We opened our love-gifts, a special tradition we have with our family back home. The gifts were so special. My sister Lori's gift to me was to raise money for Hopeful Hearts, the charity I work with. It was so special, and amazing. Then we watched the Nativity and the boys told their version to Mike and I on the movie camera.
Santa came and we had lots of fun on Christmas morning. The boys had us up at 5:00am, and we were so tired, that around 7:00am Mike and I took a small nap while the boys played with their toys! Grandparents and cousins also sent fun gifts. It was a fun Christmas. We are excited to have the girls come home so we can hear more about their day. Our good friends Julie and Warren Baker came over for Christmas lunch. It was lots of fun. We even got some Perrier (sparkling water) and juice to make fancy drinks! Julie made us a "figgy pudding". Yummy. Afterward we taught them how to play guitar hero, and had some really great Nerf gun fights.
It is really hard to be away from family this time of year. We are especially glad that the girls were able to spend some time with everyone. We are so grateful for our Savior and for his birth. And for wonderful family and friends. Merry Christmas!
