Day After Christmas

After church today we took a quick drive-by of the temple being built pretty close to us - so exciting!  It's supposed to be done in less than a year.  Right now the closest temple is in St. Louis - growing up, the closest temple was 10 hours away - so it's exciting that it will now be 10 minutes away.  More About Temples

Then we had Sunday Dinner at our house so the kids could show off all their new stuff - - Reed was excited to have Matt to help him play the Wii and Emmy was excited to have Amber who would listen to her talk and talk.

Abby was excited to have Tom teach her how to play her new guitar:

Christmas Day

We spent Christmas Day with my family - - we were supposed to spend the afternoon with Trevor's family, but they were held up by snowy roads and sickness :(

The fun of giving and opening gifts:

Christmas Morning

I LOVE waking up Christmas morning in our own house - - traveling for holidays is fun, but there's just something nice about being home - -

We have breakfast upstairs in jammies to prolong the anticipation - cinnamon rolls from my Aunt Sally - thanks!!

Heading down the stairs in age order....

Checking out the Santa loot:

We played for a little while, opened presents under the tree, then headed to brunch at Grandma and Grandpas.....

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve we get together with my mom's side of the family - it's a huge group and just getting bigger - this year a whole other table had to be set up.

Each year the kids put on the Nativity Story - - Abby was an Angel:

Emmy was a Wiseman (gold hat, kinda hidden):

Will refused to participate until the end when he jumped in for the group picture (next to Abby, up front) - Reed  is a Shepherd, in the back somewhere.....

After the nativity there is a talent show - - we must be lacking in talent because we had nothing to show off.  So the kids just got up and sang We Wish You a Merry Christmas - -

Video of the fun:

Christmas Eve Eve

The night BEFORE the night before Christmas, the kids sleep under the Christmas tree - so fun.  First, reading out of the Santa Book (we do this most nights in December). 

Then Will gets hauled off to bed - maybe next year he can join in the fun.....

And then dreaming under the tree.....

(I love how I could take the picture, in the dark, with no flash...a little blurry, but I'm okay with it)

School Parties

First off, I forgot to mention (and bring my camera!) that I went to a Create-With-Me day for Emmy - - parents come and rotate with their Kindergarteners to  craft stations of their choosing - right up my alley!

More recently, the kids' Winter Parties - - fun times.  Will made himself right at home.

Abby and Will and I ran back and forth between the parties - of course at opposite ends of building.

Santa at Crown Center

The other evening we headed to Crown Center with Kate's crew to see the sights - and Santa, of course:

The kids were great waiting in line (we've never had to wait in years past - mental note - do not go the week of Christmas) - there was one incident where Will unknowing trying to ride up the side of the escalator, but he was promptly rescued.  Then they all had a great time playing in the Crayola Area:

After Santa we checked out the FABULOUS gingerbread houses (want to see a little less fabulous one? - it's on my craft blog) -

Bobcat

Reed turned 8 and is finally in Cub Scouts - he's been anticipating it for a while!  We worked hard and he was able to have earned his Bobcat Rank at the first pack meeting. 

Then all the boys got presents - pinewood derby cars!! Fun, fun!

The scout program is strong with lots of great leaders - big thanks for all their work to keep the program fun and exciting for the boys!

Abby's Preschool Program

One day a week Abby goes to a small preschool class at PDO (Parent's Day Out) - she loves it.  Her class put on a Christmas program.  Here's Abby coming out shyly:

The whole group:

They are dressed as snowmen and did a few snowmen songs and poems.  (See that kid facing the wrong way - he did that the entire time - funny)

The hip happenin' audience:

After a brief costume change they did a nativity rendition - it's been pointed out to me that Abby was Mary..

Great Job Abby!!

And video, if you're up for that sort of thing: