December Fun

I've really had a lot of fun this month celebrating Christmas. It is very true that Christmas as a parent is even better than Christmas as a kid. It's so fun to make things magical and exciting for Susanna. We fit in what we can here and there and don't worry about the rest. Thanks to that mantra- I've just loved this month! We've decorated, done some cute Christmas crafts, watched Christmas movies, listened to Christmas music, baked, and tried to think of gifts we can give the Savior by serving others. 

I just love the Christmas season and thinking about that precious baby born in Bethlehem. I know we honor Him best when we show others love.

Here are only some of the pictures of the fun we've had this month. 

This was at our ward party. (Sam is like Susie's brother, we babysit him after kindergarten every day and everyday she can't WAIT till he gets done with school.)

 Our Christmas tree! Ooooh!

 Thanks to cousins' hand me downs, Susanna has had some adorable festive outfits to wear to church. It's hard to make sure I get a picture because Sunday mornings are busy getting myself, dinner, and 2 kids ready for church while Paul is at meetings. But I actually succeed 3 weeks in a row!

(this is my ALL TIME favorite picture. It just doesn't get an sweeter than this.)

Here is the dialogue for the pictures below:

Mom: "Susie, just smile. I want a picture of your cute dress."

Susie: "Eh! Mom stop!"

Mom: "Susanna! Smile right now and then you can go!"

Susie: "(while half smiling) Fine!"

 Our traditional Christmas sugar cookies.

 Check out the frosting on that thing!

We also went to the Mesa temple lights. It was great fun. We met my Aunt Cora and her family there. Braden looked ridiculously cute in his little Old Navy jacket!

 Tomorrow we are leaving for Disneyland! Merry Christmas to all! 

Family Pictures

I always want to keep my family pictures a secret until after Christmas cards go out so it will be a surprise, but oh well! Hopefully they will go out soon. I just need to actually remember stamps when I'm out. My photographer friend Aly Cook took our family pictures this year. She was awesome! Susie was a good girl and smiled lots for us. I love the ones we got of the 2 kids together. Here are a few of my favorites...

Fun in Cedar City

We went to Cedar City for Thanksgiving this year. My parents and all but one of my siblings lives there so it was nice to see everyone. Grandma and Grandpa Hildreth joined us for dinner, too. Cedar is about a 7 or 8 hour drive from Phoenix and the kids did pretty good in the car. I usually sit in the back and try to keep them entertained. The iPad helps for sure! 

We enjoyed an amazing Thanksgiving dinner. Mom always makes an amazing spread: turkey of course, mashed potatoes, stuffed mushrooms, rolls, fresh cranberry salad (her recipe for this is to die for), and Tiffany made a brussel sprout dish this year that was really good. 

When I'm with my family we like to do Black Friday shopping. We set out that night for some deals but Susanna started throwing up so I didn't stay out longer than an hour. Sick kids need their mama and I don't want to miss out on taking care of them! 

We were able to stay for a few days and had lots of fun. One night we went to Christmas lane. There is a neighbor hood up in the hills in Cedar that decorates with lots of lights and gives out cookies and hot chocolate. We bundled up and walked through the lights. At the end of the loop, Susanna got to meet Santa. She did a great job. He was a great Santa. I just LOVE this picture! 

I am enjoying this time of year. I love the special spirit that comes with the Christmas season. Thinking about the Savior's birth brings a special spirit to our December days. We are enjoying the Christmas lights and decorations up in our house and the Christmas music and Christmas treats. It is fun to find a few gifts that Susie will like and put them under the tree for her to look forward to. I'm loving the Phoenix weather too!! Utah was brrrr cold!!!