"It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year"

 

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care.... but everyone in this house knows that they won't be filled by "Santa".

 

After opening the traditional present with pj's we started a new tradition.

 

Instead of hurrying the kids to bed so that Santa could hurry and come we put on our pj's and watched Christmas movies until we couldn't hold our eyes open.  The idea was to all sleep in the family room, but by the wee hours of the morning our beds were calling our names... except for Miki and Jill... they made it the entire night without the comfort of their beds.  Even our dogs found a comfy spot with the girls.

 

 

Christmas morning actually started when it was daylight outside.  Everyone was excited to see what was in their presents.  Max waited patiently to see if it was something he could eat.

 

 

 

Max caught on real quick what to do with his presents.

 

 

Marlee wasn't as impressed with the balls, but she loved her pull toy.

After the unwrapping frenzy was over everyone tried out, wore, and even read what they had received.

 



 

Mik was super excited for everything, but she really loved her tea set.

 

 

I could hardly wait to bite into our cinnamon swirl French toast for breakfast and enjoy a relaxing Christmas day.

 

December Randomness

With a lot going on in December here's a quick overview.

This is Sam and her friend coming down the stairs to meet their dates for the Winter Formal dance.

 

 

The dates....

 

 

 

Jill's school had  spirit week, and here she is all dressed up in her dad's camo.  She makes it quite stylin'

 

 

The full moon this month was full of color.

 

Cute little Sammi with coconut oil in her hair.

 

 

We love this time of year for all of the oranges we get to eat.

 

 

Sam went to her friends house for his cat's funeral.

 

This isn't the cat they had the funeral for... this is my little MooShu all grown up and loving our Christmas tree.  When we weren't watching her she would climb it.

 

 

The area we live in is so beautiful.  I love the cold morning sunrises we get this time of year. 

 

Sounds of Christmas

The Christmas season wouldn't be complete without band concerts and grade school programs.  Sam played a duet and a solo part at the concert this year.

 

 

Mik's grade school program was fun as usual.  All the kids seemed to get into the songs pretty good, except for Mik's class.  They did the motions and sang the songs, but they just didn't look all that happy to be there.

 

 

Doesn't she look thrilled?

 

After the program I asked her why she wasn't smiling.  She said her teacher had told her class not to smile or they would be in trouble.  Apparently reverse psychology doesn't work on her class, instead they took him serious.  I had to laugh!

Feeling the Chirstmas Spirit

Going to the " big city" at Christmas time is always a favorite thing to do.  The shopping, lights, and  family memories always sets the tone for the rest of the season for me.  This year we decided to go ice skating... something none of the kids or Kay have done, and I was a little girl the last time I had.  In the beginning the edge was our best friend and saved us from a lot of falls.

 

 

 

 

Miki wanted some ones hand to hold for her security, and two hands were even better.

 

 

 

 

After a few times around the rink Miki had her moments of bravery and wanted to try it alone.

 



 

But, most of the time she preferred some ones hand.

 

 

We were at the rink for almost two hours.  Once it was dark and the lights started coming on it was pretty magical. 

 

 

By now the girls were all comfortable with their skates, and Sam got them into some ice dancing.

 

We brought Mackenzie with us, which is my niece, the girls cousin- my sister's daughter.  She and Jill are the same age, making them good little buddies.

 

 

After Ice skating we walked a couple of blocks to temple square.  Walking through City Creek Center was lots of fun. 

 

 

Before crossing the street to Temple Square we stopped to see the display in the Deseret Book Store window.  They always have fun displays, and this years was in memory of the "Candy Bomber".

 

Our last stop of the night was temple square before heading back to Grandpa and Grandma Low's house. 

 



 

Loving all the lights!!

 

My family humors me every year by walking up the sidewalk so I can get a picture of these fun lanterns.  I love lanterns.  I think these need to go in my yard.

 

There's nothing like being at Temple Square in Salt Lake City at Christmas time.

 

With all the beautiful lights, lanterns, nativities, and of course the temple itself the Christmas Spirit is there.  I love the reason for the season.