The best Christmas Pageant ever

 I’ve been wanting to watch The best Christmas Pageant ever since they announced it a while back. Who knows me also knows I love Christmas and a good Christmas movie. I will say the rest of the family was not as excited as me to watch it but agreed on going to the movies with me anyways.

I love it. It is not an action movie and Bianca found it boring. Ale slept during the movie, and Giovanna really enjoyed it and even laughed at some funny scenes. She thought it was a cute movie. Well, me too.

I can’t wait to be able to watch it again at TV in December. 

Halloween 2024

 One more Trick-or-treating with the Matutes for the books. I was supposed to work Halloween this year but I was able to swap my shift so I could trick-or-treat with the girls, specially because I knew Ale would be working late and probably not able to take them before the kids had already left.

I confess this year costumes were all last minute arrangements. This last semester of school has been stressful, and I didn’t have the time and energy required to pick Halloween costumes. So off we went with a Dia de Los Muertos mask from Giovi’s 10th birthday and Bianca’s costume from two years ago. 

The girls didn’t really mind. They got tons of candies and played with their friends so they were happy. We also had delicious food after the candy marathon which made them even happier. It was a cold night, so nice and hot taco soup sounded perfect!

Giovi is 4TEEN

I can't believe Giovi is FOURTEEN! Just yesterday she was my baby. But I am so proud how beautifully she's been blooming. She is kind, loving, and a good friend. I am so proud of the young adult she is becoming!

We celebrated her with good food and a movie night with her friends. I decorated the clubhouse with all my Halloween decoration and I prepared a “concession stand” with popcorn, pizza, and chocolate bars. Mind surprised Giovi with a Swig station. The kids had SO MUCH fun! 

And of course we had our traditional Halloween dinner.

We love you Giovi. Forever and ever.  

General Conference weekend

 General Conference is my favorite weekend of the year. I get excited to just be with my family, under the blankets, listening to beautiful messages of love and hope.

I have always thought it is important to get my girls excited for General Conference as well, so I would always plan something fun for them. For years I made them Conference bags, but this year I wanted to try something different.

This year I set up a General Conference store where they could earn money throughout the two days of conference by being reverent, actively participating, taking notes, singing, etc. They could visit the store and spend their “money” right after each session. It was so fun and the kids loved the idea! I might do this again next year.

After the last session of General Conference we had our traditional Ice Cream Sunday.