We had a Holly Jolly Christmas...this year

We made our traditional c-mas sugar cookies on c-mas eve. A few for santa and the rest for us. Yum.

The kids woke up at 5:30 c-mas morning, well not George. And Jeremy sent them back to bed, such a mean dad. But they fell back to sleep and didn't wake up til 8:30. I can't believe they actually fell back to sleep. We thought for sure they'd be at our besides begging us to get up again at least by 6:30.

Santa left a Santa Sack this year. The gifts from him were in there unwrapped. It was the first thing they opened right after stockings of course.  This was new this year and I loved it. I think for next year I'm going to make each of them their own santa sack to leave for santa to put his gifts in. It's like a pillow case, but bigger. Wish I would have thought of this sooner. Santa's just to darn busy to wrap everything, so he gets to put them right in the sack. If you want to see some cute homemade ones, go to designdazzle.blogspot.com. I saw this idea after c-mas was over and had never heard of it before. The one sack this year was perfect for all 3 of them 'cause santa only left 1 gift each for them. So it could be done either way. I hope it will be one of those traditions my kids will want to carry on to their own families some day.

MJ got the pillow pet she asked for. A cute pink pig.
She was so cute watching her face as she opened all her gifts. She squealed with joy and excitement every time. I think she got everything she asked for and more.

Pulling out the boys' gifts from santa.

Airsoft shotguns.
No squeals from them, but they were excited none the less.

Jeter got a new chew toy.

The aftermath. It's the one time I actually enjoy having a messy house. For a little while anyways.

All the kids got money and gift cards from all the grandparents too. They love having money to go out and spend it on whatever they want.

MJ bought this butterfly chair from Justice, her favorite store, using practically all her money. She'd been wanting one for years so she didn't care that all her money was gone. It's always a hard decision to buy one big thing or lots of little things. The boys bought lots of little things so far with there money, like shoes and clothes and airsoft accessories.

These are a few of MJ's favorites c-mas presents. She colored the bag herself and is going to use it as a school bag.

The other day I went around and took a few pictures of some of my favorite new c-mas decorations.

 I got these pictures free from a blog so all I did was print them out and frame them, which I already had.

 I've had this embroidery done for a few years, but finally put it in a frame this year.

 I love my red and white tree. I added new red balls I got from Targets after c-mas clearance last year .

 My beautiful Willow Tree Nativity.  I still haven't found the perfect spot yet for it, each year it's in a new place.

 This c-mas subway art was a free download too. ( I love looking at crafty blogs and love that they share free ideas and downloads.)

 I made this countdown at super saturday this year.

 George brought home this poinsettia that he made at school. Isn't it cool?

We hung our stockings on our railing. I wish we had a fireplace, so for now they decorate our stairs along with the snowflake lights that we used to use on our house porch.

I hope everyone had a great christmas, we sure did. We went to see Harry Potter c-mas afternoon and loved it. We played lots of games the kids got that day like Apples to Apples, LCR, mad gabs and Kanoodle. Ate lots of yummy food. And the best part is just enjoying each others company and having fun together, being lazy and having Dad home with us all day.

Love to all.

School Cmas Programs

Mason performed in the winter choir program, grades 3-5. He did a great job of course. Too bad they put him on the front row though, we could barely see him. We didn't get there early enough and ended up sitting in the middle of the gym. So poking through heads we could barely see him.

 I took a bunch of pictures but most turned out blurry, darn camera.


Then a couple days later MJ had her winter program with all the 2nd graders. Got there extra early this time and sat in the front row. So worth it.

 Some of the songs had skits to go along with the song and in this one, MJ danced around holding her tray of gingerbread cookies.

MJ with her teacher, Mrs. Nordquist. (She was Mason' teacher last year too.) After the program we went to her classroom for a little cookie party and mingling. As soon as we walk in MJ shows us a gift one of the boys in her class gave her. It was a heart shaped diamond necklace and earrings. WHAT?  We told the mom of this boy thank you and how sweet that was, but on the inside I'm wondering what the heck? This is 2nd grade people. The mom said that at home this boy talks about MJ all the time and wanted to get her something. So what do you do except say thank you. Then later I was talking to her teacher and she was a little worried about it. Great! what a fun situation. I could only imagine how at this boys' house his family is thinking how cute it is to have a crush. But for MJ of course, she is just friends with everyone, like you're suppose to at this age. What kind of parent helps their 7 year old buy a necklace and earrings for a girl in his class? Anyways, pretty funny really, and yes sweet. Lets just hope he knows she's only going to be his friend even if he did buy her diamonds and not going to expect anything else at recess. Kids these days just aren't the same as they were when I was a kid. They're learning way to much even from their own parents and their home life. Kind of scary. I have a feeling this won't be the last situation like this for our sweet MJ. She's just to darn cute for her own good.

New

New sweaters

New dress

New smiles (for MJ and Mason)

New red balls on the tree, which I love.

New haircut for Mason...Finally.

Ward C-mas Party

Our ward C-mas party was last week. We went to Bethlehem.

Tried to dress up the best we could with what we had.

Paid taxes with a canned food item.

Registered the family and was given shackles (pennies) to spend on food.

The town:

I was asked to be in charge of the cheese booth. A friend and I decorated and served the cheese to all the townspeople.

The primary sang a few songs as part of a small program.

It was a fun night. Can't believe I even got Jeremy to be a part of it. He's a hard one to convince sometimes.


The other day we were having fun with JibJab and made a silly card where they sing and dance. We did The Christmas Story. It was so funny. I didn't want to buy it to save, but I did take this picture of the computer screen. Was going to video tape it, but it got accidentally closed out of before that happened.

Maybe this should have been our christmas card, haha.

Christmas fun

Last weekend we went to visit Santa's reindeer at a Zoo, with MaKey and Poppa, where they're kept all year round. During the Holidays they have a reindeer festival and the whole zoo was decorated. Each animal had a sign telling us what there job was to help Santa for Christmas. It was really cute.

My favorite pic of the day:

This is Prancer, the oldest reindeer:

Mj writing her letter to Santa

The boys didn't want to write a letter, but wanted to see how many letters were in the mailbox.
Caught ya!

Then next we went to see if the Seattle Temple happened to have any christmas lights. Well it didn't, but behind the temple is a Stake Center and they had lights outside with this nativity scene in front, so we stopped and asked what what going on. They had over 300 Nativities displays open to the public to come and see. It was so beautiful, it gives me goose bumps thinking of it again.

The whole gym was filled with tables displaying all the nativities. There was a live nativity on the stage with an adorable family and there brand new baby, music being played by violinists in the chapel for people to sit down and watch or just listen to while viewing and walking through the church. There was a children's activity room which was transformed with a huge parachute that covered the whole room. A room displaying pictures of Christ and his life. Another children's room with nativities more kid friendly, it had a twin bed set up, and a pretend fireplace. The whole atmosphere was so christmasy and beautiful. I'm so glad we stopped and can't wait to do it again next year.

Another room you could dress up and be in a nativity scene. There were families taking the most precious pictures. Of course the boys wanted nothing to do with it, but MJ was adamant about taking a picture of her and I. So we dressed like Mary and an angel next to the babies manger. The lady taking the pictures sent all the pictures she took to shutterfly.com. She gave us the address and the next day our pictures were there free for us to download and save or print if we wanted. I'm so glad we did it. These are pictures we're going to treasure for years to come.

In the childrens room I saw this manger and knew I had to make it. (picture is my version) So yesterday during Primary I helped my class make these sweet mangers for them to take home and put in their bedrooms maybe. I teach the 8 and 9 year olds. They loved it. I love it. So perfect.

I love this time of year.
Celebrating with family our new and old traditions. With how fun this day was, it is definitely our new family tradition to do again next year.

This and That.....

George and Mason got creative and made their own table football game. I was impressed with their creativity.

George's helmet was full of stickers by the end of the season. They got stickers every time they made big plays or did something good in practice and in games. Had to take a picture before we turned the helmet back in when the season ended.

George's team went to the super bowl undefeated, but lost the game. It was pretty sad to see some of the boys crying afterwards. They had such a great season. This is the awards ceremony we went to straight from church. George and CJ were in suits and everyone else in their jerseys. G was a little embarrassed, but he looked so handsome all dressed up.

Our first snow fall last month. That evening the neighborhood kids got together to make an igloo out front.

MJ outside first thing in the morning. School got cancelled because of the snow and they played in it all day long.

Our simple Thanksgiving dinner just the 5 of us. I made a roast instead of turkey. So much yummier, in my opinion. All the sides are the best part anyway. Except for the boys each got a turkey leg.

MJ was in a skit for an assembly at school. She practiced and practiced her part and did such a good job. I went to take pics and video tape it.

It's busy times around here and we're having fun :)

Scouts/Arrow of Light

George earned his Arrow of Light before his birthday, but finally received the award just recently. It's the only patch he gets to keep and take with him to Boy Scouts when he's 12. It was a scramble to get completed, but he did it. So proud of him for making scouts a priority even with all the other things he is doing.

During Pack Meeting all the boys got to make a neckerchief holder. They loved it and love wearing their homemade version.

We made George a red and tan one to go with his new neckerchief that he wears now too, not pictured.

Mason's 9th B-day

Mason had a great birthday. He got to invite his 2 best friends, Kaden and Brenden over. We went bowling and they had a great time.

Everyone was hungry after bowling so we went to McD's so they could eat and run around a little. These kids a have a ton of energy.

Then went home for the yummy traditional, always requested, oreo pie.

 I sure love my Mason. He's growing up so much and so dang handsome. Has always been so independent and at the top of his class for everything. His teachers are always so impressed with him and wished all the other kids could be just like him. He's been singing in Choir at school and is an ASB representative for his class, which I'm so proud of him for doing. He is so not shy anymore and loves to be involved. He just started basketball which he's never played before, but he's doing so good. He very coordinated and learning the skills so quickly. So now from January to March we're going to have basketball games every saturday. (didn't have much of a break from saturday games since football ended, oh well) Mason's still our cuddler. He's the best hugger and Jeremy and I just can't get enough and hope it never ends. Love you Mase ♥