Is It Christmas Yet?

It seems the longer I wait between each blog entry, the less important things seem from a month ago. I guess that is what perspective is all about. Our lives have been super busy over the past weeks. We did end up going to the zoo around Halloween and Elli had a great time looking at the animals (and other kids) and riding the mini-train around the grounds. Shortly after that we went to Orlando for a family vacation. It rained a lot, but that didn't stop us from having fun. We went to Sea World and saw Shamu (Elli loved that!) We stopped by Downtown Disney and had lunch just outside of Universal Studios (at Emerli's!!). Elli came home with lots of memories, new words and lots of stuffed animals from each place we went. Overall, it was a wonderful vacation and I hope that someday we can go back with even more of our family.

A few weeks passed and we flew to Las Vegas for Thanksgiving. Ruston's sisters live there and we got to spend a lot of time with them. It was really warm for the first few days, but then cooled down to a seasonable temperature (for Vegas!) so everyone got a little bit of everything. We celebrated Elli's second birthday, along with Jason and Josh's too. We saw a couple movies and ate way more food than we should've! Other than a brief bout with the 24-hour flu we all had a wonderful vacation and can't wait to see all the Munk's again soon.

It's funny that even though the year is coming to a close, our family is left with so much unfinished business. It seems like usually the new year is a time to start fresh, but we'll have to wait until January to tie up our loose ends! Our new baby (gender still unknown) is due on the 8th. That gives us a month to wait and wonder! I just decided this morning that Ruston will pick the baby's name by himself. We know that we'll call it Reuben Jay if it is a boy, but have been unsure on the final girl's name. I gave him a list of 5-6 choices and asked him to choose one. He can tell me Christmas morning. I love all the options and will be happy with whichever he chooses. It will all be a big to-do for nothing if this is a boy, but at this point I just want the baby to have a name and not have to think about all the choices anymore. I hate indecision - just make a choice and move on! (Is that my mom or dad coming out in me?)

Then in late January (the 28th to be exact) Ruston will find out which program he has been accepted into for a dental residency. I think that we are almost more anxoius for that than the baby. Probably because we know that the baby will come with us wherever we go, but this program will decide where we are going to live for the next year after dental school and that's kind of scary not knowing something so huge. Ruston has offically applied to several places, but has interviewed in Salt Lake and Cleveland. We will just have to wait and see!

I'd say I'll be writing again soon, but let's be honest - it could be a while! I am so excited that my entire family will be coming to our house for Christmas. It's going to be a little cramped for a few days and I have a "to do" list a mile long, but I wouldn't have it any other way. I think we'll even do a real tree this year. It should be great!

Happy Holidays Everyone!