Is It Already Over?

I can't believe Christmas is already over. It seems to take longer to prepare for each year, but each year, the day also goes by so much faster! I'm glad the kids are still home from school and Earl took a long Christmas break, so we're able to hang out with each other.

I have to say, my best day was the Sunday before Christmas. We had a really beautiful Christmas program for Sacrament Meeting. Our Bishop gave a wonderful talk about the atonement. He said how he looks forward to the time when we are all resurrected so he can be with all of us and experience things with different people. In his list, he mentioned that he really looks forward to having a long conversation with Brayden. Of course, that started my tears flowing and they didn't stop for the rest of the program. I'm so thankful for a thoughtful ward that is in tune with some of the stuff that's going on in our lives. It was so emotional for me to hear that someone else also looks forward to hearing his sweet voice.

To top off my already emotional day, Spencer received an anonymous note while he was in Primary. The note said that he is such a good example and everyone looks up to him. It included some money to help him purchase a suit for his upcoming 12th birthday. It was so wonderful. He is such a good kid. I am so proud of him, and I'm sure it is nice for him to be recognized for that. Usually the squeaky wheel gets the grease at our house and Spencer just isn't very squeaky!

So that gave us an inspirational start to our holiday. I hope the little we have been able to do for other people this season has helped them. Going caroling with our neighbors was a big highlight for me. And our kids loved picking out angel-tree presents for other kids. That will definitely be a family tradition!

We hope you all had a great Christmas!!

Santa's #1 Fan!!

Andraia is Santa's #1 fan this year! She absolutely loves the big guy. She has had her picture taken with him three different times this year. I think she's making up for last year when she really wanted to sit on his lap but just wasn't brave enough to do it.

We took the kids to Hogle Zoo for Breakfast with Santa a couple of weeks ago. They really enjoyed it. We would have stayed to check out the animals, but it was snowing really hard.

Andraia loved sitting with Santa. They had a nice little conversation about Christmas, gifts, the snow......

I didn't get a picture of Chloe on my own camera (the zoo took pics for us) because she was too scared to sit alone. But she really loved this elephant.

Brayden wasn't thrilled with sitting on Santa's lap, either. But Santa was so kind. He did everything he could to make Brayden comfortable. It was very sweet.

Spencer didn't want to chat with Santa. He's too old. That doesn't mean I'm old....just him! But he did have fun taking pictures of the snowy landscape at the zoo!

We've had a great holiday season so far. The snow is falling really hard today. We might already have 6 inches, and it isn't stopping anytime soon. Hope we aren't snowed in!!

Christmas Get to Know Me

I saw this cute 'Get to Know Me' on my friend Becca's blog. It was way too fun to pass up!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? I'm usually in such a hurry that I wish I had gift bags to hold all of our presents, but alas, that never happens!
2. Real tree or Artificial? ARTIFICIAL! I love the smell of a real tree, but watering a tree isn't high on my priority list.
3. When do you put up the tree? It has become our Day After Thanksgiving tradition.
4. When do you take the tree down? Usually on New Years Day. We try to enjoy the decorations as long as possible without going crazy. Brayden gets insulted that the tree is in his way and wants to play with the tree skirt the whole month.
5. Do you like eggnog? Good stuff!
6. Favorite gift received as a child? My Barbie house with the elevator and everything. It was awesome!
7. Hardest person to buy for? My hubby. He already buys everything he wants.
8. Easiest person to buy for? Chloe- everything is fun for her!
9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes, a Precious Moments one that the kids can play with.
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Unfortunately just email this year. My poor family and friends who don't use email are getting New Year cards this year. (I hope!)
11. Favorite Christmas Movie? How the Grinch Stole Christmas. My dad's favorite has now become mine.
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? I should start sooner. Usually October.
14. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Ham, chocolate, I'm not too specific with my Holiday treats.
15. Lights on the tree? White!
16. Favorite Christmas song? I love singing all of the songs with my kids, it doesn't matter which ones.
17. Travel at Christmas or stay home? We're stay-at-homers. Christmas Eve party with my family and Christmas dinner at my parents', but everyone lives close!
18. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, Rudolph!
19. Angel on the tree top or a star? Angel.
20. Open presents on Christmas Eve or morning? We'll open one gift on Christmas Eve this year---jammies. (SHH-don't tell the kids!) The rest on Christmas Day.
21. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Driving in snow, and ice. All of the crazy people on the road!
22.Favorite Ornament theme or color? Our tree has become bear oriented. It is really cute!
23. Favorite for Christmas dinner? I love my ham! But my favorite meal is breakfast. Orange rolls, eggs, ham.....yummy!
24. What do you want for Christmas this year? We're spending it together. That's what I want!

Festival of Trees

It is our yearly tradition to go to the Festival of Trees. This is a fantastic event which benefits Primary Children's Medical Center. After having been blessed with their help this past summer, it was an even more special experience for us than usual. We were even able to contribute (a little) by purchasing one of the center pieces that people donate to raise money for the hospital. It included 6 Christmas Stockings, some toys and lots of books. Right up our alley! One of our goals, in the not so distant future, is to buy one of the gorgeous trees!

Thanksgiving Point

It has been far too long since I posted, and I still haven't put photos on the computer from many of our December activities, but we just had a great time with our friends and I had to blog about it!

We met up with the Montrose family at Thanksgiving Point and went on a wagon ride to see all of their beautiful lights. We had a great time. Our kids all intermingled with each other. Andraia insisted on sitting on Ariane's lap. I hope that was a win-win situation for all concerned. I think Andraia was a good little heater!

I enjoyed sitting with Chloe on my lap and pointing out different things for her to look at. We especially enjoyed the reindeer and gingerbread men who were jumping over the road.

The horses who pulled the wagon were named Holly and Bell. Very appropriate Christmas names! Andraia was even able to pat one of the horses on the nose. She was thrilled!

December Already?

I know, I know, its December. Why are my blog decorations still screaming "IT'S FALL!"? Simply because I tend to forget about my blog in the midst of all the holiday prep going on at my house! I'll change them as soon as I post this, I promise!

We had the fun job of hosting my entire family for Thanksgiving this year! It was really nice. I actually did less cooking this year than I have in previous years because we had everyone contribute. It was a great meal! And we all had fun hanging out with each other. The weather was even nice enough to take a walk with the kids after we ate! It was a really nice day.

The next day, up went the Christmas Tree and all of the decorations. Our kids love turning on the music in Grandma Rainey's Christmas Village and turning the Christmas lights off and on. My favorite decoration is a Christmas Ball that I made several years ago in our old ward. I usually hang it outside so everyone can enjoy the pretty lights, but this year it's inside because we're selfish and want to sit on the couch and watch it ourselves!

We can't wait to go to the Zoo next week to eat breakfast with Santa. The kids love to just go for a ride in the car and check out everyone's fun lights. This is such a magical time of year. I'm so thankful for my kids and all of their enthusiasm and helping me remember that we can do things simply and still have a wonderful holiday!