The First Day of Christmas

Was a BUST!! There is always going to be a child or two who is unhappy with the outcome of events.  Jaren thought he was going to be the first to discover the First Day of Christmas, but ended up not.  I guess he was the first one last year?  My kids have good memories!  Annika was NOT impressed with the activity I had planned.  Grant it, it was simple, but you have to have a starting point right?   I had to pull her aside and tell her how much time and preparation I put into all of this and how her words were hurting my feelings.  She spent some time in her room until she was happy and ready to join the rest of the party.  Things didn't go as planned due to procrastination.  I didn't have everything organized and put together until after school.  I'm crossing my fingers tomorrow will go smoother!

It begins with a piece of candy and note which read:


Christmas Tree: Symbolizes that our God is eternal and we have eternal life through His Son when we put our trust in Him.  Luke 2 : 52

Activity: Put up our Christmas Tree!  Celebrate Alleahs' Birthday @ 7pm.  

In an effort to make Christmas something more we feel I decided to incorporate the symbols of Christmas and their meanings.  In the morning we are going to read the scripture that goes along with that symbol and discuss how it applies to Christ and Christmas.  We'll see how the next 11 days go. 



Our Poster Board Tree and Pocket Advent.
The tree is so NEON!   The Walmart had absolutely NO colors of poster board.  I had to make a quick stop at K-mart and this was the only green color they had.  Neon it is.



Isabel playing the perfect Vanna.



Celebrating Alleah's birthday.


The big girl is now 3!

Still so Funny

Every year I always come back to this moment. It is so stinking funny to me and always makes me laugh. 

Please, enjoy a classic moment in the home of the Wood's:

Feeling and Experiencing Chirstmas

The past few weeks I've had the privilege of attending an adult institute class taught by Bro. Bartholomew.  It has changed my life. 

Last week Bro. Bartholomew talked about being connected to the vine.  What the heck does that mean?  It means gaining a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and feeling the His love flow through you to others.  That is a simple explanation to something very profound.

I realized that I have been living my life by a list of things to get done.  I haven't been feeling and experiencing the Gospel.  All I want is to be connected to the vine.  I want to feel of the Savior's Love and share it with others.  This desire is even greater then my desire to lose weight.  Crazy. 

At this time of year our thoughts are naturally turned to Christ.  It is Christmas and the celebration of his birth.  How do we feel and experience Christmas?  How do we make it more then just Christmas Trees, Presents, Parties and Treats?  Never before has my desire to feel Christmas been so strong.  How do I do that?  How do I get 7 other people in my home to feel Christmas? 

What do you do to feel and experience Christmas?

We talk of Christ.  We read about Him.  We think of Him.  We Pray to Fell of His Love.  What else can we do?  The more time we spend with Him, the more we will get to know Him and Love Him.  I want nothing more to then to truly know Him. 

Christmas Choir Performance

This year my girls decided to join the school choir. They love to sing so I thought it would be a great opportunity for them. Most Wednesday mornings it was a rush to get ready and out the door by 8am.
It was fun to watch them perform at the High School on their big stage. Of course I arrived in plenty of time to get a front and center seat. Grace went to hang out at Amy's, Brent and Jaren had YM's and so it was just Beckham and me. It was nice to not have to worry about a busy busy 2 year old.
The choir did a great job. It was very enjoyable to listen and watch.


I love getting head shots.
Cutie Patutie Isabel.



Sweet Annika.



Look at Me Hannah!!


All three after the performance.

And if you'd like to watch, here area a few songs that they sung. 

He's Nice, But Scary.

I'm talking about Santa.  This year Grace and I were so excited to go to Fesitival of Trees with Kelli and Alleah.  Kelli insisted on Alleah getting a photo with Santa.  I figured I might as well do the same for Grace.  She has NEVER met the Jolly of Fella before.  I'm not sure how she was going to react.  She did great though.  Out of nervousness and unsure of customs, Grace went straight in for a hug.  I was slow on my trigger finger and missed the full on hug.  It was really cute.

I loved walking through all the Decorated trees.  A huge theme this year was Red and Lime Green ornaments.  Gorgeous! 


Grace coming out of the hug with Santa.  
You can see she's a little unsure of the Big Guy dressed in Red.



Forcing a happy smile.






I love how she's taking him all in.
Grace requested a baby doll for Christmas.



Goofy Girls.



There was no to the goofing.



A tradition at the Fesitival of Trees: Cinnamon Rolls and Scones.  
Delicious!!



Me and my Baby!!

Annika's first Piano Recital

Over the summer I realized that Annika took quite an interest in the piano. She sat with Grandma Pat and picked up tunes very quickly. When we would go back the following week she had remembered what she learned and played it again and again. I approached my next door neighbor who teaches piano lessons. I offered to teach her cooking lessons in exchange for piano lessons for Annika. I am so grateful to Carmen for being so willing to help.
Annika already knows tons more then I do. She does a great job for only taking lessons for 4 months. I am very proud of her and can't wait to see where she takes this talent.


Waiting patiently for the program to begin.




Fiddling with her book. Must be nerves.



After her performance.



A close up of that cute face.



A close up of that cute headband I made just minutes before.


Here is her performance.  I realize we still have a long ways to go.  Practice, practice, practice.  She did a wonderful job!!

Christmas Cheer

As tradition goes, the day after Thanksgiving we set up all the Christmas decorations.  We start with the tree.  This, of course, takes the longest.  Especially since I have to go up every bough with lights.  That makes for a lot of lights and a lot of time.  But in the end, it's so worth it.  Seeing the tree light up so bright brings the Christmas spirit more then anything else.  I love it!! 



Our tree is always adorned with Hand Made ornaments.  This tradition started years and years ago when Brent started receiving ornaments from his Grandma.  She continued to make them for her Grandkids and Great Grandkids up until a few years ago when Parkinson's took too much of her.  This is not my first choice of decorations.  But It's Tradition.  The kids love it when the ornament boxes get pulled out and they see their pile of ornaments grow.  This tradition was started so when the kids got married they would have something to decorate their own trees with.  I have to admit, it was nice to have something, and it had a lot of memory attached to it for Brent.



My contribution to the Decorations. 


I love filling the garland with ornaments and lights.



This is Grace's 2nd Christmas and I finally made her a stocking.  Her's is Unique. 


All the stockings, hung with great care and love.