Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve went like this, saw Frozen for the second time, lunch, then uncle Dave took the kids out and spent the rest of the day building a snow fort. Gray was the only kid that lasted the whole time- he is one determined little boy! 

Dinner, nativity and pjs. Annie really wanted to be Mary and hold baby Jesus but cousin Lucy being the oldest girl got to be Mary. Annie came out as the angel holding a baby as well. She strutted through the room- no one was going to still her spot light! 

Christmas Surprise!!!

Last September we bought plane tickets to fly to Utah for Christmas but didn't tell the kids. It was hard not telling them cause we knew they would be so excited. We also knew that's all they would think about, talk about and ask about. We wanted to still do our Christmas traditions here and have them enjoy everything before hand too. Plus, I love a good surprise. Sunday the 22 Nd we told the kids when they woke up we had something to tell them. They woke to all they're bags packed, a couple of gifts from us and a sign that said " your bags are packed for Utah!" We unwrapped presents, finished packing and drove to Cincinnati. The kids were so surprised and excited.  Definitely a Christmas to remember.  

December

The first part of December can be described by 2 words, nativity festival. A couple of months before I was asked to head of up the design and set up for the Bi-stake nativity festival. To be honest I said yes, cause I love the person who asked  me but I wasn't excited about it and a little overwhelmed considering I've never been to the festival before. It was a lot of work but in the process I met some amazing people and everything turned out beautiful. 

In the years past they had the nativities set up against the wall and had overhead lighting on. My goal was to only use lamps and Christmas lights and we did it. I made all the garlands out of fresh pine. The rooms smelt yummy. I loved how all the rooms turned out, it was worth the hours and hours and hours.....

Ugly sweater party 

Kev and deb were in Tennessee for work so we drove half way to have dinner with them. we miss them!!!

Our Christmas card picture...

The runner up...

Presents for the grandparents

I had a great idea for presents for the grandparents- home made wind-chimes. The kids would paint the cans and I would put them together. Well, the kids had more fun painting themselves and I forgot to bring the wind chimes out to Utah with us:) oh well. 

Salvation Army

A friend of ours invited us to help them sponsor a Salvation Army bucket by ringing the bell for an hour and taking donations.  It was freezing but it was one of our favorite things we did this Christmas season. The kids loved ringing the bell and seeing how generous people were. It opened up a great family discussion on the poor and needy and how we as a family can give more of our time and money to the less fortunate. It was a great opportunity to serve and see the good in people too. This will become a Christmas tradition! 

"If you are still in the process of raising children, be aware that the tiny fingerprints that show up on almost every newly cleaned surface, the toys scattered about the house, the piles and piles of laundry that need to be tackled will disappear all too soon and that you will to your surprise miss them profoundly."

- president Monson

Crazy love them.