the leavitts.

we went to see santa a third time.

we just can't get enough of that guy!

this santa was actually the same one from our first santa visit.

i never would have recognized him, but he remembered chet

so i think that means chet was a little too dramatic last time!

the city was hosting a little christmas get-together at the carousel in porter park tonight.

and i just couldn't turn down free rides on the carousel!

we rode it twice.

matt and i both felt nauseous after the first ride, but chet really wanted to go again.

so we endured a second ride.

it is so pathetic that a carousel made us sick, i know. but it did!

this time we got a family photo with santa.

[santa's pose kills me! could he look any less enthused about taking this picture?!]

first ride: chet didn't want to sit on a horse alone. so matt joined him!

second ride: we convinced chet to sit on his own horse, but only if i held his hand!

holden's first carousel ride.

i can't believe how close christmas is!
i'm not feeling super christmas-y yet.
i am hoping that when we get to calgary the christmas spirit will really sink in.
i think being around family will do the trick.
we will be up in calgary in just 2 sleeps.
we are so excited!


matt has officially finished semester number 7. out of 8.

i can't believe he will begin his very last semester in just a couple weeks. it's nuts!
and i can't believe that in just a few months we'll be taking pictures on matty in a cap and gown.

we are getting so close to entering the real world. scaaary.

his last semester will be a bit of a doozy.

matt will be doing another ASC competition in february. and it requires a lot of preparation.
plus, he was asked to be a TA for one of his professors.
those things are both on top of his regular class load.
...and keeping his little wifey happy.

so he will be busy.

but both of the extra things will look really good on his resume.

and he is getting paid to be a TA.

aaand, while matt is in reno for his competition, i'm going to texas with my mom to see my sister!

so, it's not all bad :)

matt was a smartie pants again this semester.

i think he is getting blessed for being such a good dad/husband.

let me explain:

the president of the university, president clarke, did a Q&A with our ward a few weeks ago.

he graduated at the top of his class at harvard when he got his MA and PhD in economics.
and he did that all while raising 4 young children.

when asked how he maintained balance between school and family, he said that he and his wife agreed that he would wake up early and work hard every day until 5.
and at 5 he would close his books and head home.
he would leave his books, and the stresses of school, behind so that he could focus on his family.

although most of his classmates would study much more then him, his grades did not reflect that.

he believes that was a blessing from heavenly father for having his priorities straight.
matt and i haven't made the same study rules, but matt works really hard to make sure he has time to spend with our family EVERY night.

and i like to think matt gets blessed, like president clarke, for his efforts.
it hasn't been that way from day one but, over the years, matt has really mastered fitting in all his responsibilities.
and the stresses that he has at school never affect the way he acts around the boys and i.
it's impressive. and sooOO appreciated.
i am a lucky girl!

so bring it on, final semester.
[but not until we get good and spoiled over christmas break!]