Cookies for Santa

Yummy. I bet Santa can't wait to try out the cookies these cute kids decorated. Merry Christmas Eve!!!!

Wakefield Winter Wonderland

We come here every year. And every year it's a little bit crazy and usually a lot cold, but we love it and wouldn't miss it. This neighborhood is just the coolest thing ever. So many lights everywhere. Such a sense of community. A lot of homeowners are outside in their driveways with fire pits, roasting marshmallows, singing songs. It's definitely crowded, but still a lot of fun! 

These three were inseparable the whole evening. So glad my girls have good buddies to hang out with it.

And the first thing out of Brandon's mouth was, "Where's Elijah"? 

And yes, I know Brandon is dressed for the summer. He's CRAZY and we can't get him to dress properly. He definitely got cold by the end of the evening, which is rare for him. He hardly ever gets cold. But it was probably 50 degrees out and we were outside for a good hour or more.  He still wouldn't put the jacket that I brought for him on. I don't understand why he hates them so much. Luckily I had a blanket in the car for him. Maybe someday I'll understand???

Love this girl! 

Addy and Braden.

Someone needs to tell them their countdown to Christmas is WAY wrong.

Yay! A family shot. And everyone is looking at the camera. Ok, so Carter is sticking food in his mouth. Oh well!

One house has a little "snow" machine that blows tiny bubbles on you. Carter liked that one. And of course he didn't want to leave the house with the music playing.

Paul's off from work for 2 1/2 weeks! Crazy. 

Definitely the longest vacation he's ever had.

It's almost here

Today I have nothing on my schedule. No place I need to be. No performances. No Christmas errands....nothing. This is a good thing, because I woke up at 4 am with a very uncomfortable bladder infection. I spent a miserable four hours pacing the floor until I was finally able to get some medicine from my doctor. Thank goodness for antibiotics. So now that I've downed a ton of cranberry juice and my medicine is starting to kick in, I'm starting to feel a little bit better. Hoping to feel tons better by tomorrow since my schedule tomorrow is pretty booked. 

Yesterday Leah had a class Holiday Performance. I say Holiday because she has one little Jewish boy in her class so they sang a Hanukkah song too. It was so cute. Her teacher moved all the desks and chairs over and had it all set up for parents to come in and watch. Carter behaved himself pretty well (thank goodness) and I was able to enjoy the performance. They sang four songs and then did a reciting of "The Night before Christmas" where each kid had a few memorized lines. Leah started the performance off with an opening statement and did awesome on all her songs and her memorized lines. It was so cute to watch all these adorable 1st graders. I must say that if I ever taught school, I would want to teach 1st or 2nd grade. The kids are use to the idea of school by then, but still so sweet and innocent (for the most part) and still eager to learn. 

Gracie and Leah-BFF's. 

So grateful Leah has some good friends in her class.

Leah with her teacher, Mrs. Hawkins.

Kayla and Gracie.

After the performance me and Carter hit the mall for a little shopping. Of course a stop at the train was a must. This is the first time he's gone by himself and didn't freak out. He was so excited!

 That night I had a Christmas party with my Activity Day girls, at my house. There were no other activities going on at the building and I didn't want to be the only group there. Only a couple of girls ended up coming  (the change in location caused some to forget. A couple others had family in town or other plans). We still had fun though. We played a matching game with hershey kisses (the prize being you got to eat your matches). Then we made ornaments out of Christmas cards and decorated Christmas Tree Rice Krispie Treats. Ashlyn wasn't too happy that I let Leah join in with us, but oh well. I had lots of supplies. Had to use them up. Plus she was so excited and she kept up with those older girls just fine. It was a fun night. I sure love my calling.

Christmas is in just 5 short days and I'm so excited. It's been a great season. All my shopping is done. Presents are wrapped and ready to go (Paul even helped me this year. It was fun to wrap together. I think I might make him help me from now on.). We've gotten to do a bunch of fun things together as a family, and we aren't done yet. Got to go to some great parties, look at lights, listen to Christmas music. I've been very blessed this year. 

And Saturday night Paul and I are celebrating our

birthdays with a date night down in Pasadena. Can't wait!

Yes, I do BELIEVE! 

Brandon's Preschool Christmas Performance

While all of Brandon's classmates were doing this....

And this....

Brandon was doing this.....

 And this.....

Meanwhile, Carter was throwing a fit on the floor and kicking and hitting me. All because I took my camera away from him. Oh and the girl behind me.....for some reason, she found it necessary to stick her arm on the back of my chair and half way in my face, making it impossible for me to sit back in my chair or even sit all the way on my chair. She's lucky I didn't knock her camera out of her hand. 

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a bit frustrated!

Brandon did however, get up the courage to sit in Santa's lap and tell him he wants a bow and arrow for Christmas. *sigh*

 Funny how he's all smiles as soon as Santa comes in the door. *double sigh*

Christmas Concert

I took the girls to a Christmas Concert tonight at the Valencia Stake Center. This is the second year in a row that I have taken them, and I loved it just as much as I did last year. Last year I scored and got front row seats behind the Conductor. 

 This year I scored just as good seats just one row further back, right in the middle. My friend Lisa, was playing flute in the orchestra and had saved a row of seats for her husband and kids. But there was more than enough room for us too, so we willingly joined them. 

The music was beautiful and all centered on Christ. The Choir and orchestra were amazing. They even had a children's choir that came in for a few songs. The kids were great and so many of them were just such enthusiastic singers. They had a slide show and video for some of the songs. All from the Nativity story and life of Christ. It's just such a great event to go to, to get me in the true spirit of Christmas. I loved taking my girls and hope they felt the wonderful spirit that was there too. Because as much as I love buying gifts and looking at Christmas lights and going to parties, I am most grateful to get to celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. And nothing would make me happier, at this time of year, than for my children to feel that love for our Savior too!

Ward Christmas Party

Paul may have spent pretty much the entire day helping set up for this party and then stayed after to help clean up, but DURING the party, he actually sat with me and helped with the kids. Maybe it was because I was being quite the complainer about feeling like I was always by myself at all ward functions. But hey....whatever works. I was glad to not have to chase all four kids by myself all evening. And getting to actually sit and eat dinner with him was pretty nice too!

It was a nice Ward party this year. "A night in Zarahemla" was the theme. We had Mexican food for dinner and the Miles family, along with the Primary, did a nice story book telling of the birth of Christ. They had a craft room for the kids and coloring pages on the tables to send to all the missionaries serving in our ward. 

Beth's hubby is a big Christmas time Caroler, so she flies solo on most December night activities. So I told her I'd save her a spot at our table so she wouldn't be alone. Plus her kids are pretty darn cute. SO glad she moved up here close to me. 

A rare family photo. Even though it's not the greatest. Must have been the angle of the photo, but I swear Paul looks twice as big as me and the kids. Plus, who knows what Brandon is doing? Something crazy as usual. He spent most of his evening over at the Phillips table "pal"ing around with Elijah. I had to keep going over and getting him and reminding him he's part of OUR family!

On the way home, I made a quick stop with the kids to watch the lights show at this house about a mile from ours. It's pretty awesome. The lights dance to music that you listen to from the comfort (and warmth) of your own car. They hand out candy canes to all the kids and even have a food drive you can donate too. 

Winter Band Concert

Ashlyn has been dying to play the flute for YEARS. Like probably before she even started playing piano. In fact, she takes piano because I told her it would help her be a better flute player (sneaky huh...but hey, it is true). Anyway, I didn't know when she was going to be able to start flute lessons. They are very expensive for private lessons. But this year, her school started band class on Thursday afternoons. Ashlyn was so excited to start. 

Tonight was her first concert. A Winter Holiday Concert. They played 6 songs, and she did SO well. I was so proud of her. She was a bit nervous beforehand, but she said she wasn't nervous during the performance. Probably because she wasn't playing alone. Her concert was pretty short since she is beginning band and all these kids have only been playing for just under 3 months. But it was still so fun to watch. Afterward, Advanced Band played and we stayed because Ashlyn's friend Morgan was in it. She even had a solo, which she did beautifully! Way to go Morgan. 

Daddy even made it in time. I was SO happy to have help wrangling these crazies. They sure love their Daddy!

Me and my little Leah who couldn't sit still either. *sigh*

Lucky Ashlyn, her good friend Lourdes is in band with her too. And we didn't even plan it. They even both play the flute. I'm sure that helped Ashlyn not be nervous either. Never hurts to have a friend by your side.

And even though it was a BIT chilly out, we had to stop and celebrate just a little. Ice Cream McFlurry's from McDonald's. Nothing fancy, but hey, it was fun.

I Love you my not so little girl! I can't believe how grown up and mature you are getting.

 I'm so very proud of you!