Our Christmas season most often begins with a trip to Temple Square to see the lights. This year, it was my intention to get a fabulous family picture for our Christmas cards...it didn't happen. We went on a rainy, cold night and I had to threaten my children within an inch of their lives to smile for a picture. Out of about 35 shots I took, ONE turned out. And, if you got our Christmas card, parents were not included. Maybe next year....
This shot I took of the Holy Family in the middle of temple square...despite the bad weather, it was a lovely scene.
Of course it can't be Christmas without a bazillion concerts, projects, and sing-alongs. Nat was in an awkward place and I wasn't able to get a clear shot of her fabulous singing.
Emily's class did a great job with all of their songs. They sang "Silent Night" in several languages, including sign language. Loved it!
Jake, looking "too cool" for a sixth grade Christmas sing-along. Wouldn't even crack a smile. Stinker....
Our nice neighbors that live across the street have invited the kids over for gingerbread house decorating for the last couple of years. The girls have always had a good time, and of course, made a HUGE mess. Good thing those ladies are patient!!
Natalie's house used EVERY piece of candy that came in the kit...it was "gorgeous", according to her....
Christmas Eve PJ's has become a tradition at our house. We have to decorate sugar cookies for Santa (using every assortment of sprinkles that we have in the house), clean up the house (mom's rule), and then the kids can open their jammies.
Here they are being goofballs...
Another tradition we have is reading our Christmas books. We read the story of Jesus' birth and then end with 'Twas the Night Before Christmas'. Then, we shove them off to bed with a threat to not come up the stairs before 7 am. Kim and I actually were up at about 6:30, so we got up and tortured them by not letting them come up early!
Pretty sure Jake was 'in love' with his new snowboard, boots, bindings, goggles and a promise for a day of snowboarding....
Abby, bless her heart, tried to not show her disappointment that she didn't get the Ipod touch she so desperately wanted. It was uncertain, for a few days, whether or not Santa would be delivering ANYTHING to her...she left her $300 retainers on the floor of the TV room and Buddy the Wonder Dog had a delicious snack! UGH! Apparently, Santa must have taken pity on her and did bring her a few things anyway. She was in LOVE with the make up kit that Grandma sent her (thanks, mom...pretty sure I've never seen such an assortment of eyeshadow!) and loved her new wool peacoat. She got a few other items such as an Ihome (ipod dock) and a new bathrobe. Maybe an Ipod touch will come next year??
Although the picture doesn't show her excitement, she was so happy about the pink cowgirl hat. Too bad it wouldn't stay on her head! We will have to return for a smaller size so that this cute cowgirl can wear it all over the place. She was so happy with her horses and corrals, new scooter, cowgirl shirt, new movies, and games. Santa was good to this girl!
Emily was THRILLED with the new artists easel that Santa brought her. He also brought an entire bucket of art supplies (to join the thousands of other stray crayons we have around here...), new boots and clothes, a new scooter, and games.
I'm not exaggerating when I tell you that he put on the ENTIRE lot of snowboard gear AT LEAST 20 times during the course of the day. He loved the Twins jersey (Joe Mauer, of course) that grandma and grandpa sent. ALL of the kids (including the dad) have enjoyed the Wii and all the games that Santa brought. I'm loving that we can stream our Netflix in the house now and watch it all the time! Santa didn't leave Buddy out...he got a new bed that he now loves to lounge in.
The aftermath....it was horrendous for two days straight. I stayed in my jammies all day on Christmas and the only things I worried about were getting all the paper picked up and making dinner. We had a fabulously relaxing day.
This pretty much sums it all up...poor Nat was exhausted and Buddy the Wonder Dog decided to join her for a long winter's nap.
Our Christmas season most often begins with a trip to Temple Square to see the lights. This year, it was my intention to get a fabulous family picture for our Christmas cards...it didn't happen. We went on a rainy, cold night and I had to threaten my children within an inch of their lives to smile for a picture. Out of about 35 shots I took, ONE turned out. And, if you got our Christmas card, parents were not included. Maybe next year....
This shot I took of the Holy Family in the middle of temple square...despite the bad weather, it was a lovely scene.
Of course it can't be Christmas without a bazillion concerts, projects, and sing-alongs. Nat was in an awkward place and I wasn't able to get a clear shot of her fabulous singing.
Emily's class did a great job with all of their songs. They sang "Silent Night" in several languages, including sign language. Loved it!
Jake, looking "too cool" for a sixth grade Christmas sing-along. Wouldn't even crack a smile. Stinker....
Our nice neighbors that live across the street have invited the kids over for gingerbread house decorating for the last couple of years. The girls have always had a good time, and of course, made a HUGE mess. Good thing those ladies are patient!!
Natalie's house used EVERY piece of candy that came in the kit...it was "gorgeous", according to her....
Christmas Eve PJ's has become a tradition at our house. We have to decorate sugar cookies for Santa (using every assortment of sprinkles that we have in the house), clean up the house (mom's rule), and then the kids can open their jammies.
Here they are being goofballs...
Another tradition we have is reading our Christmas books. We read the story of Jesus' birth and then end with 'Twas the Night Before Christmas'. Then, we shove them off to bed with a threat to not come up the stairs before 7 am. Kim and I actually were up at about 6:30, so we got up and tortured them by not letting them come up early!
Pretty sure Jake was 'in love' with his new snowboard, boots, bindings, goggles and a promise for a day of snowboarding....
Abby, bless her heart, tried to not show her disappointment that she didn't get the Ipod touch she so desperately wanted. It was uncertain, for a few days, whether or not Santa would be delivering ANYTHING to her...she left her $300 retainers on the floor of the TV room and Buddy the Wonder Dog had a delicious snack! UGH! Apparently, Santa must have taken pity on her and did bring her a few things anyway. She was in LOVE with the make up kit that Grandma sent her (thanks, mom...pretty sure I've never seen such an assortment of eyeshadow!) and loved her new wool peacoat. She got a few other items such as an Ihome (ipod dock) and a new bathrobe. Maybe an Ipod touch will come next year??
Although the picture doesn't show her excitement, she was so happy about the pink cowgirl hat. Too bad it wouldn't stay on her head! We will have to return for a smaller size so that this cute cowgirl can wear it all over the place. She was so happy with her horses and corrals, new scooter, cowgirl shirt, new movies, and games. Santa was good to this girl!
Emily was THRILLED with the new artists easel that Santa brought her. He also brought an entire bucket of art supplies (to join the thousands of other stray crayons we have around here...), new boots and clothes, a new scooter, and games.
I'm not exaggerating when I tell you that he put on the ENTIRE lot of snowboard gear AT LEAST 20 times during the course of the day. He loved the Twins jersey (Joe Mauer, of course) that grandma and grandpa sent. ALL of the kids (including the dad) have enjoyed the Wii and all the games that Santa brought. I'm loving that we can stream our Netflix in the house now and watch it all the time! Santa didn't leave Buddy out...he got a new bed that he now loves to lounge in.
The aftermath....it was horrendous for two days straight. I stayed in my jammies all day on Christmas and the only things I worried about were getting all the paper picked up and making dinner. We had a fabulously relaxing day.
This pretty much sums it all up...poor Nat was exhausted and Buddy the Wonder Dog decided to join her for a long winter's nap.
Metal Mouth
No More Metal Mouth!
**Our Group: Chris (and Halle on his back), Brenna, Erin, Kim, Paige,
**Pausing for a break going up one of the steep caverns**
**Beautiful Mountains**
**Gorgeous Waterfalls**
