I'm trying to get caught up... :)
Back track to December... Such a magical month! It usually gets so busy! But this year, December wasn't that bad!
We started off with a trip to Santa. Dallin only wanted one thing this year, and let it be known since September... So it was easy for him to tell Santa exactly what he would love to have on Christmas Morning. Allison just said "I Lala" (which translates to "I would love anything Princess")... Phew! Santa had an easy year this year.
Dallin was also really excited about getting an
email from Santa! It's really well done and was super easy to make... eh hem... I mean for Santa to send... The kids got a kick out of it! So- just getting you prepared early for next year I guess- :)
We also started a new tradition this year that I saw on another blog. I went to the thrift store and the BookMobile (basically a library on wheels that comes to town every two weeks) and found as many Christmas stories as I could find. I wrapped them all up and put them under the tree. Then every night in December, instead of picking out a regular story from the shelf before bed, the kids got to open up a book every night! They loved it! It was a fun way to wind down from the day and spend that time as a family as well. And it made the pressure of NOT opening the other presents a lot more manageable! :) I have found a lot of Christmas books the last two months at the thrift store- after the season! If you want to do this this year, start looking now! :)
My mom watched the kids for us while we were on our "Forgotten Carols" date, and Dallin made this awesome gingerbread train all by him self! My mom said it was so funny to see how exact he was with the candy. :) P.S... What's with the peace sign? haha... What a funny 4 year old.
As far as family goes, we pick names on both sides now, so present getting was pretty minimal. For my sister and brother in law (Judy and Jared), we put together a present with the theme (it's all about themes people!), "Brown paper packages tied up with string... these are a few of my favorite things"... and wrapped up a few of our favorite activities to do outside during every season! It turned out pretty cute I thought!
And then for my family, I picked my cousin Brooke, and made her this cute "Spa-la-la" package. You can get a drink to go container (or pick up a little pack of glass bottled rootbeer from the store) and paint it and add paper. I put matching bath/spa stuff in each pocket, with a gift card tied to each bottle, and added a matching headband! I thought it turned out cute too...
For actually Christmas, the day before and the days afterward are kind of a whirlwind to fit in all the family! We start with our own little family on Christmas Adam, the day before Christmas Eve... (Adam came before Eve...) :) That night we have little dolls that we act out the Christmas story with and watched a little Christmas movie and listen to spiritual Christmas music. We had a fun little night as a family.
Dallin wrote a letter to Santa, set out cookies and wanted to set something out for the reindeer. He had the great idea to throw carrots up on the roof! haha... That was so funny to me! I had never thought about doing that as a kid! I'd set out stuff before, but always on the plate for Santa to take to the reindeer. But I said that the reindeer just might land in our driveway instead so he thought it would be a better idea to put it there- haha. Cute boy...
The next morning was really relaxing and simple. We try to do three gifts for each kid, since Jesus was given three gifts from the wise men. It's worked out really well. It's SOOO easy to go overboard on Christmas, and this has been great for Jeff and I to kind of step back on not feel like we need to do that much. This year we did one bonus for both kids just because I got it for a STEAL on Black Friday and couldn't resist! It's been a big hit!!
On Christmas Eve day, we went to Jeff's parents like usual. That night we always act out the Christmas story (although trying to do that with just three little grand kids this year (since Judy and Jared were at Jared's parents' house) was not that easy!) Jeff's dad always reads "Why the Chimes Rang"... a book that his mother read to him when he was little. It's always a great, spiritual night to remember the reason why we are here... Because of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
On Chrismas day we woke up, read scriptures, opened presents, had a nice breakfast with the family, and headed down to my Great-Grandma's house for dinner and gift with my extended family.
Dallin's sweet hat he won and Papa Darrell...
Believe it or not, this is my entire extended family (5 generations!) except for three- my Aunt and 2 cousins... :) We are small but very close! We were about to play a present passing game...
And my beautiful Great-Grandma... :)
Then, the day after Christmas, but dad came from Vegas and we had a Great time with him at my sister's house! We don't get to see him all the time, so it's always fun to spend that time with him!
WHEW!
What a post! But thanks for staying tuned in!
