Christmas celebrations

Some of the highlights of our Christmas this year -
The Nativity - starring Abigail as Mary, Eric as a shepherd, Kaden as a wise man, Mckenna as an angel and Mia - well, I'm not sure who she was :)
Our new Christmas ornament to put on the tree- a fun yearly tradition my mom has. Abby got an adorable girl (because she's just adorable), Eric got an airplane - I'm sure you can guess why if you know him. And Andrew got a first Christmas Noah's ark. The kids were very excited to put them on the tree!

Abby was in choir this year. She loves to sing and she learned all the words. She has been singing all Christmas break. Eric doesn't like it too much - but I enjoy her sweet little voice. She's informed me that she does not want to continue with choir the rest of the year. She doesn't enjoy getting up so early on Tuesday mornings in order to go to practice. I'm ok with that - there will be other opportunities for her.

The annual Christmas sing a long at the Energy Solution Arena. The kids liked it, but they did get bored about half way through. Abby enjoyed it much more than last - she didn't even cry! She enjoyed being able to read the words and she already knew most of the songs, so it was really fun for her. I'm glad we went, and I can't wait to go see a Jazz game with the free tickets we got.


We drove around to look at the Christmas lights one night. It was so foggy! We went to see lights by the Bountiful Temple - and the fog was so bad that even standing next to the fence at the temple grounds right in front of the temple, we still could barely make out the temple - it was such an odd feeling to know that a building was right there and not be able to see it. The kids thought it was fun, but it did scare Abby.

We spent Christmas Eve with the Bradley Family. We had a great dinner, and then we opened presents. The kids loved their new pj's and games!
This was Andrew's first Christmas present. He LOVES paper - and was so excited to be able to rip it... and try to eat it. He also loved the toy inside too!
Most of the Bradley Grandchildren - we were only missing Hailey, Thomas and Miles and Ryland

Andrew and his cousin McKaylee enjoying their new toys and p.j.'s!!

After spending the early evening with the Bradley Family we came home and had a little devotional. We told the story of the nativity, and then we had to make some snow. We cut out our own snow flakes to hang from the ceiling because we didn't get any snow this year. The kids really loved it!

Abby and Eric also made some cookies for Santa and wrote him a note. Here is Abby's note.It reads - Dear Santa, I want a puppy that is a toy, but it doesn't go potty. It walks by itself, it eats real food.

My parents came bright and early to see the kids open presents on Christmas morning.



Abby got her puppy - she was so excited! (good thing Chris picked that toy up huh??...)

Andrew was up and happy to be in on all the fun too! He got a fun little drum to play with.


I made Chris, Abby and Eric some angry birds (it's their favorite game to play on Chris' iphone) They were fun to make - and Andrew likes to eat the beaks!Our big present this year was the Wii. The kids have really enjoyed playing it since Christmas - so has Chris :) He has to enjoy every moment he has with the kids so they don't forget him during busy season!

After we opened our presents and played with them all morning, we went over to my parents house. Kaden brought his new 4-wheeler that he got for Christmas. Eric was so excited to be able to ride around with him. They had a blast!
We had more fun opening presents again... magformers for the kids and some awesome tools and scriptures for us! (It's weird to have new scriptures again.. I haven't had a new set since Jr. High...I'm almost lost reading them!)
Eric and Kaden opening presents.


Abby, Mia and Mckenna ready to open theirs.

It finally snowed the Sunday after Christmas and the kids were able to go sledding. There wasn't quite enough to go by the house, so they went up Farmington canyon in the truck and on the 4 wheeler. They had a great time.
Christmas break was fun - and the kids had a great time. It was so nice to have Chris home. He got to really spend some fun times with the kids. We are sad to send him back to work and busy season!!