Happy Christmas 2009

Our morning started VERY early. I had to come out with guns blazing to get people to go back to bed and yeah....let's face it, it was pointless. So at 530 this morning with no avail I got up, turned on a cartoon and let the kids watch until Dan got up at 630 and you'd think I was killing them!!! So we got the day started by reading from the scriptures in Luke chapter 2. Then proceeded to shred anything with wrapping paper. The kids were all happy with their loot and have spent the day playing with a little of everything. We got board games, Nerf guns and Bakugan, capes with swords and tutu's with fairy wands. It's been a fun day and we are so blessed. It was also extremely quiet because it was just us. Last year my parents were here so that was nice, but no family this year. It has been a little lonely and a little less like Christmas for me, just because this is the first time it's just been us and no other family around. I'm not sure how much I like it...But we did have a great day none the less. We did get to talk to all our family and that helped heal the separation. Hopefully next year we'll be able to spend more time with extended family. We love and miss you guys!!!

Anyway, as usual, I took a TON of pictures, so I've put a few of the favorites in a slide show. Enjoy!

As visions of sugar plums danced in their heads

I just had to get the traditional Christmas Eve pictures of sleeping children. It’s basically proof that they are in fact sleeping and Santa can actually show up. I figure if they don’t wake up with the flash then they are indeed asleep.

Inside Seth’s note was questions for Santa, like is Jessica really Mrs. Claus’ name and was he really known as Kris Kringle. We had just watched SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN and of course he had to verify all the information in the program. So sweet. Of course Santa answered all of his questions and then thanked him for the cookies.

Christmas Eve

Christmas eve has been busy at our house. Cooking all day to prepare for tomorrow. Tonight we gathered the kids and threw out reindeer food. A general mixture of oatmeal and sugar. That way the birdies don't get sick if they were to eat it. The general air is one of pure excitement as we count down the hours for Santa's arrival.






Then we watched Christmas shows (our favorite Santa Claus is Coming To Town)

Then we ended the night with opening 1 gift, jammies. Everyone got new ones! Very exciting!!


Now we wait for sugar plum fairies to put the sweetest of dreams into our heads!!!

Christmas Snow (a southern AZ miracle)

We woke up this morning to a beautiful site. It snowed last night. Keegan told Dan that Santa brought us snow! So where are they? Oh yeah, they are all out playing in it, have been since they woke up this morning. Now I’m wishing our house had a fireplace in it. They are going to be frozen over!!! But it is very exciting especially since we weren’t supposed to get any!! And what better time to get some than Christmas!!!

Christmas finest for church

Just a quick couple of pictures that were taken this morning before church.

It's hard to believe that in 2 weeks Seth will be getting baptized.

Winter concert

So as not to offend anyone at the school the powers that be have taken Christmas out of Christmas. Nothing in the classroom to signify it (I guess we broke that rule earlier....oops...) and no Christmas music in the concert. So it was a winter concert with all the classic winter fare....Songs like Jingle Bell Rock, Winter Wonderland, Au Claire de la Lune....stuff like that. Keegan's class sang a cute rendition of Jingle Bell rock and let me tell you, Keegan rocked it hard. So proud of him!!! Then Seth's class did Jingle Bells on recorders and then sang Frosty the Snowman. Very cute! Seth got to be a snowman. It was a short and as usual, the school grossly underestimated the amount of people that would be there. Standing room only. We got there early and the parking lot was full and people were everywhere. Next year we get there even earlier!! But the children involved all did well and i'm glad we got to go.

Keegan is in the middle with the green shirt on

then the 2nd graders went to town with their recorders!

Reindeer Treats

This afternoon Paige and I went up to the school to pass out Reindeer treats and presents for the teachers. It seems like they were well received. A couple of the kids even tried to eat the treats...good thing it's only oatmeal and sugar, otherwise I would have been worried. But they were happy and the boys were happy to leave school a few minutes early.

Keegan's class first. There was a sub so his teacher may not get to enjoy the marshmallows we made for her.

Then off to Seth's class.

Seth and his teacher Ms. Z.

Last night was our Ward Christmas Party. The kids have been looking forward to this for a while. They new that they'd get to see Santa and spill their guts on what they wanted this year. It was a fun evening. We were able to pick up Seth's friend "A" and bring him. His mom was working so we said we'd take him with us. The program was wonderful. The primary sand FAR FAR AWAY ON JUDEA'S PLAINS and then some of the sisters did a program about certain women at the time of the Savior's birth (the mother of John the Baptist, a shepard's wife, the inn keepers wife, Mary's mother and Mary herself). It was intermixed with Christmas songs. It was very well done and I really enjoyed it. Especially when the gal portraying Mary sang FOR TONIGHT YOU ARE MINE. I nearly teared up. Love that song. Then we got to get our grub on! Once again they split from tradition and we had a good old fashioned Southern dinner. I was in HEAVEN!!!!! Pulled pork sandwiches, cole slaw, frito chips....oh man!!!! I had 2 sandwiches. We got some strange looks from "A" when we slathered our sandwiches with cole slaw. He kept calling us weird....I told him he was the weird one! Then of course there were 2 tables for the dessert. I made a red velvet cake. It has become known as my signature dessert. Everyone knew it's the one I brought. hahah I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not!!! But it was all wonderful and of course at the end all 3 kids got to sit on Santa's lap. It was a fun night for all involved! Glad we got to go!

make dessert contribution

keegan, A and Seth playing with legos

waiting for her dinner

FAR FAR AWAY ON JUDEA'S PLAINS...

A was not impressed with the dinner selection. He ate chips...good thing he ate before he came.

Keegan and Paige ate like it was their last meal! Awesome!!

some of our friends waiting in line for Santa

Keegan and his "girlfriend" S....