What a way to end the year! This was such a wonderful, awesome, fun-filled month!
My kids love hot chocolate. I think they drink more of it than they should, but when they come in from the cold, I usually let them have a cup of it (but only one per day). Also in this picture Lauren is sporting her "doggy ears" hairdo. She loves to name her hairdos. We did the Hello Kitty hairdo when she was 2 (I totally made it up - but it is two braids Laura Ingalls style). She loves to have her hair done the "Elsa" way (french braid). The doggy ears way has been her favorite for several weeks and I most days this is how she looks. She loves to pretend to be a doggy and loves having doggy ears.
Alpine does a live Nativity every year, and I have heard wonderful things about it. I remembered to buy us tickets in October before it sold out. It was special to see how they made such an effort to bring us back to Christ's time.
Devon had a work conference in Las Vegas at the beginning of December. I decided I would go along with him and get some rest and relaxation in. We hired Courtney, one of our favorite babysitters who was now college age, but preparing to leave on her mission, so she wasn't currently attending classes. This was one of the best decisions we made. I was a little worried whether it would be too much for Courtney, but she did great. The house was a disaster, but the kids had fun, and she even said it was like a vacation for her. Win, win! I loved the little break I got. I spent the mornings relaxing, writing in my journal, and watching some TV. All things I feel like I don't do very often. I meant to read a lot, but it just didn't happen. I met up with Devon's coworker's wife (Jenny) for lunch each day, and we had so much fun that we would just walk around and chat for the next 4-5 hours until the men were done with their stuff. Then we would head our separate ways for the evenings. They had their anniversary that first night, and Devon and I had tickets to a Cirque du Soleil the second night. I totally needed a little recharge like that.
Lauren one day wanted to do my hair, so I let her. I wasn't paying super close attention, and then once she was done, I realized I had a ton of bows in my hair. I tried to take some pictures, but I missed the back of my head that had even more bows than I thought. I think when I took them out there were about 20 or more bows.
Austin and Lauren had a Christmas recital for the singing group they were in. They have loved their class and had fun being in it together. During the rehersals, they weren't put together as partners. At the dress rehersal I realized it was my last chance to speak up, and I was so worried I would regret it if I didn't. First off, I was worried about being able to actually watch them both at the same time if they were on different sides of the stage (which they were). Second, with how little they are, and the pairings seemed so random, I didn't see why my kiddos couldn't be partners. I finally spoke up and said something, and Jeana was so nice to switch them around. I felt really embarrassed and like I was being bossy and hard, but I am so glad I did! At the recital it would have been impossible for me to even video them together very well because of people's heads in the way. I would have been so sad! They were so cute together and did a great job.
Its crazy to say, but Jayden wears the same size shoe as me. We went and bought him some new shoes, and when we got home I decided to try them on. Yup, they totally fit me!
Here is our beautiful Christmas tree. I caught this cute picture of Ashlyn looking at the ornaments.
BYU played the U of U for their bowl game this year. We lost. We almost pulled off a comeback after being down 28-0 in the first quarter when the U had four crazy turnovers (interceptions and fumble recoveries) in the first 6 minutes of the game. It was painful to watch that beginning. The second of the game went much better, and we really almost won. Almost. Here is Dylan and Grandpa supporting their favorites. Ethan says he's a BYUte fan because he likes both.
Rachel and David came to stay with us for Christmas break. We had so much fun having them here! Ashlyn got to love on "her" baby. Of course he was halfway my baby too. He seemed to think I was possibly his second mom. Rachel still won out when it came between me and her, but I would beat out David as the first choice between us. He sure loved me... or is that his mom he loves and I'm just a close second? Either way, it was fun. Lauren loved to hold Lincoln as well, and he was patient with the girls to an extent. Eventually he would just want me to hold him instead, but I think he gave them enough of a chance to love on him.
Yay! Snow!! Nate, Emi, and Kaden were so excited to play in the Utah snow, and we loved it as well. Mother nature gave us a great treat several days with fresh snow while the Terrazas' stayed with us.
Of course we had to make sugar cookies for Santa!!
I had to catch this cute moment. Nate was sitting in there too until I went to take a picture. I snapped a picture of him anyway.
We didn't get as many game nights in as we hoped because we were so busy getting things ready for Christmas, and then so tired to stay up late. But here is one successful game night. Rachel killed us!
When Rachel and David come to visit, the kids love wrestling with Uncle David. Somehow I got pictures of Devon doing the nightly wrestling. And, as usual, we had some tears. I think we got up to three kids crying at once.
