Christmas 2012

We had a great Christmas holiday this year!

We did really well at getting our shopping done pretty early, and we didn’t leave ALL the wrapping to Christmas Eve.  So I felt like we did pretty good in that area.

Aunt Kristin was in town when we put up our Christmas tree.  It’s always magical to get it all out and decorate!

Ella loved lying under the Christmas tree and looking at the lights and feeling the branches.  Luckily she isn’t mobile, so we didn’t have to worry about her doing too much damage this year!

Santa came to the ward Christmas party again this year.  Andrew was eager to take Josh and Luke’s picture with Santa…probably so he wouldn’t have to be in it—he picked up on that quick!

Our elf, Jingle Jolly Bell, watched over us for the 3rd year in a row.  He got a little more creative than in years past which was fun for the kids (lots of pressure on him though :)  The kids had no trouble getting out of bed in the mornings for school in the month of Dec.  They always wanted to come down and be the first one to spot him!

Josh had his Christmas piano recital on Dec. 15th.  He played “We Need a Little Christmas Now” and “Just a Second.”  He did great!

The kids had the traditional sing-along at the school.  Luke, Ella and I went to watch.  It’s always fun and puts me in the Christmas spirit!

We did our holiday baking and took goodie plates to our neighbors and friends.  All the kids were great helpers this year!

Picture taken after church on the Sunday before Christmas.

Around Christmas time the word peace is used quite a bit in songs and stories.  Whenever Luke heard that word he would always show peace with his body—like he was meditating.  Even if he thought no one was watching, he’d still do it.  It cracked me up so many times. 

For Christmas Eve we went to Chad and Julie’s again.  We had a nice dinner, played Minute to Win it games, played the candy bar game, read the nativity, listened to everyone share Christmas memories/traditions, had cake and sang happy birthday to baby Jesus.  It was a great night!

We hurried home and decorated a couple sugar cookies to leave for Santa.  Then the kiddos went off to bed with sugarplums dancing in their heads!

Christmas morning was fun as usual!  They kids woke up at 7:02am—not too bad!

Ella got her first purse complete with keys, cell phone and bracelet.  It sings this cute song which the boys hate.  I like to play it just to drive them crazy and help them get used to girly stuff :)  She liked it, but most of all she wanted to play with the wrapping paper.

So fun and so many memories!

How many days until next Christmas?