Leith was bitterly disappointed that we went to In N Out while he was in school. I told him we would go with Niall after school, but the lines were so long by then that we couldn't do it and still get to Niall's piano class. So, we tried after piano, along with half the population of this valley,it seemed. The drive up was a stationary, police directed, double line of cars more than 1/2 mile long. We found a parking spot and got in the line outside to eventually order inside. I had arranged with Kevin to meet him there after he dropped off India and we were done with piano. He apparently thought we arranged for me to stand with the boys alone in the freezing cold and for him to go home and wrap up some paperwork and get ready to go to bed early. I kept telling the boys that Dad was on his way and that they could sit in the warm car with him soon while they waited to eat.

When we figured out that Kevin was not coming, the boys were very cold-huddling together in a blanket and shuffling along, but still in good spirits and highly motivated to see the adventure through. By the time they ate, Niall was having second thoughts, but Leith was still thrilled to be there.

After a warm bath and a good night's sleep, both boys were excited to wear their hats to school this morning!

It feels like we just finished celebrating Halloween, and now we are jumping right into the Holiday season.

The 'Friends of the Creche' organization had their annual convention in Salt Lake City last weekend. India and I went to their public open house and saw all the amazing Nativity scenes.

This one from Africa had a very old Joseph with grey hair-we wondered what that symbolized for the artist.

I love this one from South America. The two animals on the side are stylized llamas.

This one was labeled 'Cajun' and includes, you will notice, a raccoon and two hungry-looking alligators visiting the baby Jesus. I love the French-Creole artwork, but really, I think that the dangerous predators are a bit much.

It was snowing as we attended the exhibit. The snow and the Nativities made me very excited to begin decorating for Christmas.

And now for something completely different.....

In N Out Burger opened in Draper today. Kevin cynically decided to ignore it-assuming that the lines would be impossible to navigate. Coral refrained from sleeping outside in line overnight because she had an eye appt this morning, but went right over as soon as she was done. I joined her and was pleasantly surprised that the lines were manageable. We called Kevin as we were about to order-he gave us his order and jumped in the car to race down the freeway to join us. What a nut! I was afraid they would both become 'verklempt' as they ate, but they held their emotions in check. I felt the whole experience was a bit surreal. I don't think I have ever been to an In N Out in cold weather.

We will be taking the other children for dinner so they can get in on the excitement! The boys were wondering if having one here will make it less fun to eat there. They always see it as a great memory from living in CA and as a treat when we go back there.

And...

The girls-along with thousands of their peers, and weirdly my peers-will be seeing the new Twilight movie, 'New Moon' tonight and tomorrow. I am not a huge fan of this phenomenon, but am always interested in studying it. My favorite part of the movie hype is all the merchandise with the Jacob quote, "I'm so sorry that I can't be the right kind of monster for you, Bella." I giggle every time I see it. And, every time I see the movie trailers, I use the quote, "Does it bother you that I am half-naked?" But, I am told that that literary gem is from the next book. Nevertheless, I think there will be a lot of 'half-nakedness' in the movie. I am so glad my teens will be 'exposed' to all that.