11th & 12th Days of Christmas

I completely forgot what we did on the 11th Day of Christmas. Pretty sad. I know I made pizza for another family and for mine. We'll just count that.

On the 12th Day of Christmas we enjoyed an evening with the Weiss'. First we had dinner at IHop. My kids were well behaved and I starved them again so they would eat everything they ordered. My plan worked. Grace was the only one that didn't finish her pancakes.

After dinner it was off to Grandma and Grandpa's for the annual Bingo Game. Adults upstairs, Kiddos downstairs. This year my parents just layed everything out. This eliminated most of my anxiety about this game. And for the first time, I finally got the first Bingo instead of a certain person that shall stay un-named. My parents always do such a great job. I can tell they love preparing for this super fun event just as much fun as we have playing. My parents are always generous.

Monica, Deric, Brent, Moi, Ryan and Michelle

The whole Gang

I get a little competitive when it comes to Christmas Bingo.

I just can't help it.

The Booty Upstairs.

A portion of the Booty Downstairs.

The kids enjoying some of their winnings.

I Love the Smiles!

After bingo all the kids opened up their new pajamas that they get every Christmas Eve from Grandma Penny.  It happened so fast this year that I didn't get very many photos.  This is one of two photos I took.  I love how excited Grace is to open hers.  This is her first present this year to open.  So much fun.

10th Day of Christmas

I took my lovelies to three BYU Museums and then to the creamery for some delicious ice cream. No trip to BYU is complete without a trip to the creamery.

First stop: Museum of Paleontology.

I remember when Jaren was in kindergarten and Miss Utah came to his classroom and asked all the little kids what they wanted to be when they grew up. She finally got to Jaren and said with confidence, "I want to be a paleontologist." The look on Miss Utah's face was priceless. I was standing off to the side and couldn't help but laugh to myself. Such a ginormous word for such a little man.

She's as big as a leg bone.

 

He's smaller then a leg gone.

 

She's cuter then the petrified tree.

 

My sweet half dozen.

Beckham getting into posing.

See Hannah panicking, and the look of Shock on Isabel?

Who doesn't want to hug a Dinosaur leg? 

Me being silly.

 

Again, with the silliness

Annika showing her silly side.

I love this photo

Next: Bean Museum
 

The 8th, 9th Days of Christmas

On the 8th Day of Christmas we went and participated in the Festival of Lights. My kids LOVE this activity. This year I thought the lights were particularly spectacular. Such a fun tradition.

On the 9th Day of Christmas we made home made ornaments to give back to Grandma Donna. I had just a few meltdowns. Which is pretty good.

Annika's crafting hands.

Jaren taking his turn.

When did he decide to get so grown up looking?

Some of the finished prizes.

Grace's sweet hands "writing" her name.

Jaren took this photo and I love it so much.

The next day we took our finished product to Grandma Donna's Office.  

The kids quietly sang "Dashing through the Snow"

On the Seventh Day of Christmas

We delivered goodie plates.  I really wanted to the kids to sing a quick song when they dropped off the plates at the door.  Brent didn't think they needed to, but I INSISTED.  It was just the first line to We Wish you a Merry Christmas.  It was so fun to see the neighbor's faces light up.  Here are a few of my favorite comments we heard that night:

You guys are the coolest

We just mentioned this evening that no one Carols anymore

Another Song, Another Song, Another Song!

It was fun to see All my kids sing as loud as they could.  Of the 20 plates of goodies we delivered only 2 families weren't home.  What a huge success.  As we were driving around we kept saying how we needed to give to this family and that family.  But where do you end?  We know where to begin.   But where do you end?  It doesn't help that I didn't make enough goodies.  I guess it's the spirit of giving that matters most, right?  Next year I will just have to prepare to hand out 2 or 3 times as many plates as we did this year.  Every year I say that, and every year I forget. 

This tradition isn't so much about the treats.  But about once again doing something together, having fun, laughing, and bringing a little bit of happiness to the ones we love. 

On the Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Days of Christmas

On the Fourth Day we made pizza for a family in Need.

On the Fifth Day we drew names and presents for each other.

On the Sixth Day of Christmas we traveled to Temple Square. It wasn't until we entered the Christus room that I truly began to feel the spirit of Christmas. For it is because of the Savior that we even have a holiday to celebrate this month. As we wandered outside and soaked in the real life Nativity, I once again felt the spirit of Christmas. Satan's powers are diminished just a little bit, or maybe a lot, in the month of December. Hearts are softened, service is rendered, and testimonies strengthened of Jesus Christ. Even though it took me this long to truly feel of the Spirit of Christmas, I am grateful that I have it now. I am grateful that we endured the bitter cold to witness spectacular twinkling lights and the majesty of the might Salt Lake Temple.

This tree still had almost all it's leaves on!

Walking past the Conference Center.

The Christus.

Savior of the World.

The Reason for the Season.  

I love him.

I'm grateful that he is ever present in my life. 

He loves each one of us!

The next few photos are ones that I shot as we walked around.  I love taking photos.  

Brent is proud to say he took this one.

I LOVE Temple Square.  I wish I would take my family more often through out the entire year.   I am grateful for the spirit that is ever present there.

On the Third day of Christmas

We'll hang Snowflakes and Snowballs  from the ceiling. No Christmas is complete without them. Each one just as unique as the hands that made them.

I have to admit, this is one of my most favorite activities during the 12 days of Christmas.  My kids are old enough now that I don't have to sit right there with them to cut out each snowflake.  It was quite enjoyable this year.  I love how whimsical they look hanging from the ceiling above the table.  This year my kids want them hanging all over the house.  I'll leave that up to them.  

I also have to admit that this year I am having a difficult time feeling the SPIRIT of Christmas.  I'm not sure if it's the lack of snow.  Or I can't find Christmas music that I LOVE.  I'm not quite sure.  I wish I could put my finger on what it is so I can fix it.