The Month of December

The month of December has been very busy, but really fun at the same time. Here is what we have been up to...

Disneyland

We kicked off the holiday season with a trip to Disneyland. They always do such a good job with all of their Christmas decorations and festivities, including the huge tree at the end of Main Street, snow that falls at the end of the parade and a visit to Santa and his reindeer. It was the perfect way to get us into the holiday spirit!

Smile for the camera, boys!

Jake's favorite ride continues to be the teacups. His smile is priceless everytime.

A Day in LA

The Grinch was playing at the Pantages Theater in Los Angeles so we went with the Daytons and took the kids to see it. Max stayed home since there was no way he was going to sit through a play. I was a little nervous about Jake and Nathan sitting through it, but they loved it! They sat there the whole time and didn't even ask for food!

After the play we went to dinner and then headed over to the LA Temple to see the Christmas lights. It took us about an hour to get to the temple since the traffic is always so bad up there, but we finally made it and the kids loved running around and looking at all of the lights.

Family Home Evenings

I tried to teach the kids about the true meaning of Christmas and why we celebrate, but I'm not sure if I really got through to them. It's hard to compete with Santa Claus, presents and decorations in the eyes of a four year old! I'll keep trying...

Tacky Sweater Party

I decided to throw an all girl tacky sweater party where everyone wore the most tacky Christmas outfits we could find. I have to give credit to my mom for my outfit. She made that jumper a long time ago and actually wore it out in public! I wish I had a close up of Cortney and Kim's outfits- they won the top prizes for the tackiest outfits. (Cortney is in the green sweater with the tutu and Kim is next to her in the brown sweater and leapard leggings!)

We had a gift exchange and I'd have to say that the best gift was the homemade Snuggie that Josie made! Unfortunately, Tonya didn't end up with it, but doesn't it look good on her?!!

Robyn's skirt is actually a tree skirt- so creative!

Christmas Church Clothes

Every Sunday leading up to Christmas we all wear festive colors to church. This was our attempt at getting a picture after church one Sunday...

a LITTLE better...

Jon's Office Party

I had to organize Jon's office party and get all of the gifts for his employees. We went to lunch at a restaurant in San Juan Capistrano and I think it turned out really well. It was fun to get to know everyone better since I usually have about 5 minutes whenever I stop into his office!

Candy Cane Lane

Every year we walk around this neighborhood that is out of control with lights and decorations! The kids LOVE it.

They even have fake snow that falls every half hour or so.

School Programs

Jake did such a great job in his school Christmas concert. He sang all of the songs and did all of the actions right along with the other kids- and he looked so handsome up there!

Nathan's preschool program was so cute! He had a solo part in the middle of Rudolph (he was Santa) and he sang it so well. I was really proud of him!

Ward Christmas Party

There were no tears on Santa's lap this year which was a small miracle! The kids were all excited to see him- even Max!

After the boys sat on Santa's lap they frosted and decorated sugar cookies. Trent is Nathan's good friend and they spent the rest of the time running around and playing hide and go seek in the cultural hall.

Max discovered that he loves donuts with sprinkles on them...

and then spent the rest of the time figuring out how to work the water dispenser...

and dancing while the rest of the kids were trying to watch a movie!

Yard Work

Jon has been spending Saturday mornings laying new sod in the backyard. The boys love helping him and getting as dirty as they possibly can!

Gingerbread Creations

We spent a lot of time at home putting together and decorating gingerbread houses, gingerbread trees, gingerbread men, making marshmallow/Cheerio trees and frosting sugar cookies.

Christopher Pop-in-kins

We started a new tradition this year which quickly became one of the kid's favorites. Every morning this elf was hiding in a new place and the kids would run down to try and find him. He would then stay in his hiding place all day and watch the kids to see if they were making good choices. Christmas Eve he magically disappeared and went back to the North Pole to tell Santa that they had been good and that he can bring them presents! We all miss him around here and can't wait until he reappears next year!

Christmas Treats

We always make treats and take them around to our good friends, family and neighbors. This year I made Oreo Truffles and put them on sticks and wrapped them up in these tins. Despite the hours it took to make 19 of these, I thought they turned out pretty cute! Jake and Nathan loved ding dong ditching them to everyone's doorsteps. Nathan kept asking me what this fun game we were playing was called again- definitely a highlight for them!

Christmas Cards

One of the highlights for me is checking the mail everyday and seeing if we have any Christmas cards! I LOVE getting all of your cards and seeing and reading about your families. Thank you for sending them to us each year!

9 Year Anniversary

Jon and I celebrated our 9 year anniversary on the 22nd. We went out the Saturday before since the 22nd was the BYU bowl game! One of the specialists at work gave Jon a gift card to this really nice steak restaurant so we started our date there.

We then saw the play A Christmas Carol at the South Coast Repertory. It was really good, though I must admit I fell asleep for part of it. Anyone who knows me knows that I have issues staying awake in plays- I don't know what it is- but after walking around during intermission I was good to go for the rest of it!

Other activities and traditions included making a paper chain to count down the days until Christmas starting about 50 days before, going to a live nativitiy and creche exhibit, driving around and looking at Christmas lights, reading lots of Christmas books, Christmas shopping and listening and dancing to Christmas music. I absolutely love the holiday season, but I'm exhausted! Stay tuned to hear all about Christmas Eve and Christmas day...