Instagram Christmas

Hot Chocolate and Cookies, and ward parties with friends.

Cookies for Santa, Grandma Leonard's Fudge, and goody boxes from Kevin's work.

Treasure hunting, and "diggin' for gold".

 Just dance.

Rich in love. 



 Little things.  And, the moment I realized we needed to put Christ back in Christmas.  Boston reading a storybook form of the Luke account titled, "The Christmas Story", exclaims:

"This isn't a Christmas story!!"  Mmm hmm.  I ordered the book, "A Christ Centered Christmas", as a suggestion from a very wise sister and will be implementing it starting Thanksgiving 2012.

 Brityn's homemade gift boxes from old Christmas cards.

 Our very tall tree that came in two, TWO boxes.  After trying to figure out how the 2 branches that came in the first box were going to turn into a 12 ft. tree, we found the key words on the outside of the box: "1 of 2".  We will have to rent a crane next year to put our star on.   Little scenes to display, and a very, very cute and relatable (for us this year) movie

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Ward party Live Nativity.  Brityn played Mary.  She was a star!  What a beautiful Christmas!

Christmas Eve

 Our Christmas Eve starts out at Shawn and Jenise's house.  We have ham & cheesy potatoes.  She always makes homemade rolls, and the best cheeseball!!  Then the kids make cookies for Santa.

Just before this picture was taken, Brityn said, "Mom, if you want a fabulous picture of me, here's your chance."

 

 Got a new tree this year.  She's a tall drink 'a water.  We couldn't even get the star on top of that baby.  Kevin was tippy toeing across the top of the ladder (you know, on the little 3x4 last step that you're never supposed to step up onto??) and still couldn't reach.  She's pre-lit though!  And beautiful!  We got her, no one thought to let us know it came in TWO boxes.  After a half hour of trying to figure out how those two little limbs in the first box were going to spring up into a 12 ft tree, we scoured every inch of the box.  That is when we discovered the very helpful phrase: 1of 2.  We ran back to the store, 5 min after closing, snuck in the out door, which prompted a manager looking lady to loudly ask if the doors had been locked.  We assured her we were not here to grocery shop and keep them all for another hour, we were just here to pick up the second half of our tree.  She looked confused.  I felt like saying, "You think YOU'RE confused!!"  

 These are our three lovies!!

 This is us.  I'm slightly irritated that my hair is the same color as the "husky" legs I have around my neck. Still working my way back to good after a BAD hair cut-n-color.

 This is when we almost had a close call as Kevin tried to sweep me off my feet.  

 This is us laughing about how close the call was.

Cookies for Santa.

Then Kev read out of Luke, as Brit and Corb "acted" it out.  Boston was a non-participator.  I will post videos soon.  I'm not sure if this one loaded properly.  This is 1 of 2 ;)

 Then we opened Christmas Eve presents: PJ's

 Brityn asked me why her PJ's didn't match the boys'.  I asked her if she wanted Alpine Skiing pajamas.  She said, "YES!!"  I guess I will know for next time.  

It all started with a trip to Stewarts

I had sworn off Christmas Cards this year.  I couldn't find the time.  Nor was I in the mood to be stressed about finding coordinating outfits.  Then we took a trip to Utah to visit my Mom and Dad.  While at the local grocery store, we spotted these hats.  $4!!!  The kids HAD to have them.  When we got back to my Mom's,  I saw them running around outside with them on and thought, "They look so cute.....cute enough to be on a CHRISTMAS CARDS!!!"

So here's Brit.....

Here's Bost...

Here's Corb...

 

All three...