5th Day

Angels: Heralded in the birth of the baby Jesus.

Activity:  Pizza and Movie; Christmas Carol

Since it's Friday I thought it would be fun to watch a Christmas movie together.  We love A Christmas Carol.  It is a tad bit scary in the end when the Ghost of Christmas Future comes.  I think it's scary in almost any version. It has a wonderful message and some day I will read the book.  

The video you see below is for my Mom.  She wanted me to get this on video.  So here you go Mom, your cute grand daughter rocking out to Christmas Music. 
 

P.S. This morning Brent called and informed me that the Provo Tabernacle was on Fire.  I couldn't believe it.  I quickly turned on the T.V. and sure enough, that magnificent and historic building was in flames.  You don't really know how emotionally attached your are to something until it's no longer there.  That was the building I went to for Stake Conference my entire youth.  I remember walking to one particular Conference wearing my first pair of high heels, and my skirt was probably a little too short.  I remember graduating from Seminary in that building.  What a great loss for Utah County, and the State for that matter.  It was one of the oldest buildings in the State.  I haven't driven past it yet.  I'm sure I will very soon, my Mom works right across the street in the City Offices.  I'm sure I will become a little cholked up as I drive by. How can I not with so many wonderful memories attached?

4th Day of Christmas:

Candle:
Our home glows with light this time of your to remind us that Jesus came as the light of the world.

Matt. 5:14-16 ; John 8:12


Activity:
Send out Christmas card

The girls and Beckham all had writers club this afternoon.  They didn't get home until 4:45 which didn't leave much time for signing, stuffing and stamping.  We just got to the signing.  I'll have to do the stuffing and stamping tomorrow morning.  Beckham didn't want to sign him name due to the fight that he had with ice.  The ice won.  Beckham came home with a bloody nose and a very big lip.  Poor guy.  I would have taken a picture but he would have been upset with me. 

2nd & 3rd Day of Christmas

Day 2:
The Poinsettia:

This poinsettia has a lovely history. It was first called the Flower of the Holy Night. A Mexican legend tells of a little boy who had nothing to give the baby Jesus. As he prayed, a flower grew at his feet. He quickly picked it and gave it to Jesus.  The flower was later named after an American Ambassador to Mexico, Poinsett.  He is the one credited for bringing it to the US.

Activity:
Snowballs and Snowflakes!!


The Poinsettia that sits in my kitchen.



I didn't get any photos of the kids folding, cutting, and crying.  Again, there were a few tears involved.  I forget that I cannot clone myself and sit with each child as they attempt the crafts.
Some day they'll be old enough, right? 



The kids had a far better time cutting out snowflakes.



I LOVE how Whimsical they look hanging over the Kitchen table.
I ran out of time last night and had to hang them all this morning.  It was all so tedious, but worth it.  Like my kids.


Day 3:
Wreath: The circle of the wreath is eternal.  No beginning or end.  That is the same as God's love for us.
John 8:12


Activity: Trip to the Temple.
It snowed last night.  Which made our trip to the Temple a little chilly and wet.  I insisted on experiencing the Nativity there with my kids.  What better place to be to remind us of God's Eternal love then going to the Temple and on top of that seeing Baby Jesus.



Provo Temple.
The mountains in the background make this House of the Lord even more magnificent.



Life Size Nativity. 
Hannah pointed out that there is no snow on the baby Jesus.
Notice my baby?  She was NOT happy.



Sitting in wetness to get another blessed photo.
My kids are such good sports!



My FAVORITE of the day.

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.