christmas!

The kids started waking up right about 8:00. We ushered them all onto our bedroom for the prerequisite banana (gotta eat something good before getting all the junk). Then the lineup.

Santa came! He left trains, and a Star Wars gun, and spy equipment, and clothes, and coat, and an MP3 player. In the letter the kids wrote on Christmas Eve, Slade was very specific about telling Santa not to misspell his name. Santa still doesn't spell names right. He's just too busy! Still, I think Santa did good this year. When Slade saw Nathan's gun (a video game that plugs into the TV), he said, "Nathan, you got what you always wanted!"
The kids got to check out their stockings and play with their Santa gifts while we waited for Keri and family to join us. Then the real fun began....

It took about three hours and there were many thrilled faces, lots of hugs, some happy dances, and even some tears. What a wonderful way to spend a morning.


When the pile of presents was depleted, we feasted on Scotch eggs, candy, cheese ball and crackers, and some pie too. Yum.

Dave and I took our children to the Daniels about two o'clock. I took a nice long nap while Dave and the kids played games and watched movies. We came back to a clean house (bless you Mom) and the kitchen filled with even more good food for another party that night. We hosted my two aunts and their families for a total of 40 people playing games, eating food, singing Christmas songs, talking and laughing.

A very wonderful and merry Christmas to all!

christmas eve

Christmas started a day early with Dave surprising me by having my couch and carpet in the family room cleaned. Well, he tried to surprise me but the cleaners called and ruined it. I was still thrilled because that room needed some serious help. Mom kindly stayed home with the kids while Dave and I went and did the last minute shopping. We weren't very efficient with our time but we got everything done.

We enjoyed our Christmas Eve celebrations with Mom, Dad, and Merrit joining us. We started with a delicious dinner: ham, venison, cheesy potatoes, steamed vegetables and rolls.


We acted out the Nativity and listened to Grandpa read The Littlest Angel (a tradition that dates back to my mom's childhood). Then it was time for writing a letter to Santa, left out with some pie and carrots.

Finally, it was time to open the Christmas Eve pajamas. This year they were made by Grandma Daniel.

Just look at what awaited us on Christmas Day. Such a stash! It is so fun to have family here to add to the pile. I forgot to take a picture after Santa made his visit though.

crazy little thing called love

My brother got engaged on Christmas day to the lovely Amy. Yesterday, we braved the cold, wind, and snow at Gardner Village to take engagement pictures. Besides the fact that this was for family, Amy is a photography major so I felt pressure. Hope she likes them!

celebrating the season part 3

Friday night was our Ward Party, just for adults. It was fun to sit and chat with friends and eat good food that I didn't have to cook myself. The next morning, the kids got to enjoy breakfast with Santa.

On Saturday night, I went up to Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas concert. I drove up with two of my friends and thought it was just delightful to have some girl time. The concert was good despite some technical difficulties but I was really glad for the company. Especially during our two hour drive home. Thanks, Chrissie and Brooke! Man, I am really bad at these self-portraits!


Sunday brought a new calling for me--Primary Chorister, again. I have had this calling in every ward we've lived in longer than three months. It can be really fun but also really, really tiring. I am also feeling slightly apprehensive about doing it with a newborn but whatever....

On Sunday night, we made graham cracker houses with Colin and Amy. Love this tradition.


I was helping Slade and judging by his face, I was not doing a very good job. I am really not very talented in graham cracker house construction.

Our finished product:

Amy and Colin did his and her houses and were very clever. Amy's was beautiful and dainty with a fireplace, Christmas tree, and curtains. Colin's man house had a ginormous TV, refrigerator and moose head on the wall. Funny.


We put the finished houses on a table and the kids made quick work of demolishing them.


Today, I actually sent our Christmas cards to print and got our neighbor gifts ready finally. I went from having grand ambitions at the beginning of the month then scaled back to a bag of M&Ms with a note saying "Have a marvelous and merry Christmas". At least the tag was cute.

Only one week until Christmas! I'm so not ready.

celebrating the season part 2

I am really glad we took the time to type up an activity advent calendar. We have done lots of fun things and the kids have enjoyed being able to look and see what is happening each day. Next year, I hope I can make the actual advent calendar something pretty and delightful to hang up.

For FHE, we watched more Christmas movies--A Charlie Brown Christmas, and How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

On Tuesday, we made fudge. I used this recipe (doubled) but added in 6 Tbsp. of butter because I didn't read it very carefully. It turned out great still. I mean, really, how can you go wrong with butter!



Dave stayed home from work Wednesday morning so I could take Emma and Slade to see the Nutcracker at Thanksgiving Point.

Someone needs to teach me the art of a more attractive self-portrait...hello, double chins!
Slade did reasonably well for an active six year old at a long (boring) ballet. In the second half he was asking to go home but stayed laying in my lap. The second half, which is usually better, was rather boring. They added a couple of numbers with modern music. So not Tchaikovsky. What is up with that? Still, I'm glad we went and glad Slade had to opportunity to practice being a good audience member.


Today we went shopping!

As a child, the annual family Christmas trip was a big deal. We got to take the day off of school and head to the mall. We got $5 per person and had to team up with other siblings for larger gifts. At the end of the shopping, we got to got out to eat for lunch. This was huge since we never got to eat out. On the other hand, our family shopping trip seems to be just any ordinary day. Taking the day off school doesn't have the same impact. Nor does eating out since they get to eat out often enough. We decided to take them to a sit down restaurant since we don't do that often.

Tonight, we watched A Christmas Story, one movie that will NOT be remaining on next year's list.