Finally Christmas

The build up to Christmas is so fun.  We love all the traditions and family fun packed in to the days before Christmas.  We kept to tradition and joined Bob's family for the annual Nativity play. Ethan got to play Joseph this year and Avery was a Wiseman-Princess (a self chosen roll).

We opened PJs with Cousins.  Avery loved her monkey ballerina jammies and Ethan was thrilled with the Ute PJ bottoms Bob and I hunted down.


At home we got a plate ready for Santa and the Reindeer.  Ethan carefully counted enough carrots for each reindeer who would pull the sleigh including Rudolph because it was a foggy night.

Ethan got some reindeer food at school so he braved the snow in his PJs to sprinkle the oatmeal with sparkles.  I'm fairly certain that if I hadn't convinced him Santa would bring the sleigh down to the grass for the reindeer to eat since our roof is so steep he'd have climbed to the top of the house.

In the morning the kids were thrilled to see that Santa had visited.  Avery got her Stompeez and new baby and Ethan got the Legos he'd asked for.  All together they made quite a haul.

We had a fabulous dinner with Bob's family followed by another amazing pile of gifts to open.  Grandma and Granddad always spoil us all.  Ethan got a new baseball mitt, which he loves because it's a grown up real kind of mitt.

Avery and Angela both got a special gift from Granddad...he built them a doll house and Grandma made the bedding.  Avery loves her house!


It was a great Christmas!  We headed home early to pack up and get ready to drive to Washington in the morning...let the festivities continue!

Special Delivery

The kids each wrote a letter to Santa this year.

Dear Santa,   I hope you have a great Christmas.  I would love for Christmas some more Legos.  From Ethan

Dear Santa,
    I like  you.  For Christmas I'd like Princess Legos and another baby.  Also, maybe some Stompeez.
 Love, Avery

After sending them off the kids watched the mailbox everyday for a return letter from Mr. Claus.  Luckily we mailed our letters in just enough time for Santa to reply.  While he didn't make any promises about what he would bring he did assure the kids they were on the Nice List and would definitely be getting a visit!  What a special delivery!

A Pleasant Surprise

One day after volunteering at Ethan's school I walked out of the office to find a pleasant surprise...Ethan had been chosen as the Kindergarten Student of the Month.  We were so proud of him!

"Ethan is a great student.  He always does his best.  It is so nice to have him in our class."

December 2012

Blurry. Not Blurry

After a few complaints of headaches and dizziness Ethan has some new spectacles. I think he looks sharp and when you ask him what he thinks he moves his glasses up and down over his eyes and says, "blurry, not blurry." so they must do the trick.

December 2012

Christmas Break

To kick off our Christmas Break we planned a playdate with friends for the very first day.  I knew time would fly and fill up quickly.

The kids decorate Christmas Trees made out of ice cream cones.  We started with frosting then added sprinkles and candy. 



Much easier than gingerbread houses and hey, it's still a load of candy and fun.



After the decorating fun we exchanged family games.  Tumbling Monkeys was a hit!

We love crafting, creating and playing with friends so in our book...this was the best way to start off the festivities!

Frontrunner Christmas

We took the kids on the new Front Runner Train to Salt Lake to see Christmas Lights.  It was all part of the experience.



We loved all the lights and being together. Wandering around Temple Square is a great way to kick off the Holiday Season.


Macy's took over the Candy Window displays.  It was fabulous!  The different Christmas Ball Ornaments were amazing.  Santa's candy cane beard was my favorite!

It's a family tradition we love!

It's A Boot Camp Birthday!

Ethan decided on an Army Guy Birthday.  We went to work looking for ideas and party planning.  I think it turned out pretty great and Ethan and the other recruits loved it. 

We played lots of fun games...Sarge Says, Parachute Drop, No Man Left Behind, Wounded Soldier, and an Obstacle Course.



We made camo cupcakes with green frosting and army guy toppers.




In the end the troops got a medal for passing off the 5 star merits.


 Boot Camp Birthday-Mission Complete!
December 1st