Beginning of December

We started off December with a visit to Thomas to decorate his grave.  He has a really beautiful tree right next to his grave marker, and so we brought snowflakes to hang from the branches.

Is it weird how at home Ellie is at a graveyard?  I don't think so.  I think its wonderful that we live so close right now that we can visit him any time that we want.

There is a really big park right next to our neighborhood and they decorate the trees for Christmas.  We went to the tree lighting and since it had been such a warm December it wasn't terrible to be sitting outside.  They had a little music program and hot chocolate and then they lit the trees!  Ellie loved rolling down the hill over and over.

The Tree of Life

                                 
Ellie also got to open up her Christmas pj's that night, and its been hard to get her to wear much else.

We also had a ward party at the same park a few days later.  We were so surprised that Ellie decided to sit on Santa's lap and talk with him a little bit.  She still looks nervous, but thats more than we have ever been able to get, so we'll take it!