Christmas 2012

We started out this special day the right way. Reading "The Mansion" with Gpa Lowe and enjoying some sticky buns. We then watched a church movie on Jesus' birth. The kids were very anxious by this point to get those presents opened up! But, we knew that this morning would fly by, so we wanted to bring in the spirit and actually talk about Christ before the madness.
    We opened up our stockings one by one and I think the kids loved their little gifts of peppermint candies, sour candy canes, rockets, flashlights and toothbrushes. I wrapped up everything this year from scotch tape to undies to little AXE body spray. Wesley was most excited about his sweat pants. Austin loved his scooter and Isaac has yet to play with those dress up outfits! They are enjoying the LDS living scripture DVD set that we bought and we watch them not only on Sundays, but sometimes before bedtime. I grew up on those stories and it really helped me visualize the messages and scriptures as a little girl. They will too. Levi got into yogurt again and had to be stripped down to a diaper.
   We later made the trek down to Tucson where we met up with some family members for Christmas Mexican dinner. I was sad that so many cousins were missing, but the boys had a nice time with the nearby park and good food. We sang Happy Bday to Jared. Made the 3 hour trip back after stopping by Pipa's new apartment in Tucson and receiving fun matching family beanies.

Christmas Eve

Part of our Christmas Eve tradition is to read the Luke 2 story of Jesus' birth. This year we went a step beyond and acted it out! Melanie and Tom Hunsaker invited us over to their house where we enjoyed a turkey spread (I brought lemon cake dessert and white homemade rolls, my favorite additions) with sparkling cider. Kids behaved well and we had a great time! Levi made a HUGE baby Jesus and the look on his face told us he thought this was a joke! Austin was Joseph and Eva was Mary. Wesley was a shepard, Isaac was a wise man, I was a gold star (with a table cloth) and Jared was king Herrod.
   We of course then set up the sugar cookies for Santa and reindeer food. They were asking me how he was going to get in b/c we didn't have the special key anymore. I also had to work really  hard on Mr. Marshall and his many hiding spots! This is probably Wesley's last year of the magic (turning age 9). He wrote in his letter to Santa that he hoped he was on the nice list and that he didn't live in New Zealand (a joke I played in the santa email sent to him). Austin reminded Santa that "if you need me, I am in Wesley's old room." Cute. Jared and I worked hard (mostly I wrapped all the gifts and Jared tried to stay awake) and hit the sack at 11pm. A simple Eve.