I know this is a little over due and a little travel log-ish, but better late than never. It always amazes me how fun and magical the Christmas season is and how fast if flies by. The children bring so much joy as we watch them daily rearrange the nativity and dreaming of gifts from Santa and perform in their holiday programs. It moves me every year. Some of our favorite traditions as a family are door bell ditching when we choose a family for the 12 days of Christmas, taking homemade treats around to the neighbors, visiting family, acting out the nativity and as Madeline says, "Enjoying the feeling" as we sit by the Christmas tree and soak it all in.
We spent an evening with good friends making graham cracker houses. Candy, Candy, candy and more candy. Madeline had so many sweets she had her first belly ache. The kids also love to make goodies for the neighbors. Dwane is incharge of all the treat making. He puts the kids to work and they have such a ball. They specialize in chocolate covered pretzels, toffee, & peanut clusters. I get to be quality control.
After Christmas at our home we travel to North Carolina to celebrate a few days with Grandma and Grandpa Young it was a added bonus to see cousins too.
Sorry I was too lazy to rotate this picture, but Alexa got Polly Pocket Race to the Market as she calls it and was so excited that it was all we could do to contain her. Every time we went to Costco we would have to stop in the toy section and look at the Polly Pocket Race track and then all the way home she'd talk about it.
Kate and her Stuffed puppy (she wanted a real one!!) Santa opted for this one, because it is so well behaved and potty trained.
Madeline and her High School Musical Barbie Dolls, we are starting the preteen thing! It's fun and scary all at the same time.
This was Robb's Christmas miracle "Cross bow and Catapults" last year Santa discontinued this game which is a favorite from Dwane's childhood. He must have been a good boy this year.
We spent Christmas Eve with my missionary parents and cousin who lives 3 miles from us! This is our second year and we have such a nice time. Madeline casts the nativity and it is a wonderful. My cousins boys who are all teenagers dress up and are so sweet to participate in whatever Madeline wants them to do!
The weekend before Christmas we had a slumber party at Elder and Sister Johnson's (aka Grandma and Grandpa) apartment. The kids love snuggling with them. Grandpa and Grandma took Madeline and Robb to the "Nutcraker" for Christmas it was a first time for both of them and they really enjoyed it. Well Robb said that the dancing did get a little long, but overall he said there was some cool parts.
Our Holiday Season started out with a trip to see Grandma Johnson who is a missionary in Richmond Virginia. She had just had surgery so we thought we bring her a little love and cheer.
How we are going to miss our day trips to see Grandma and Grandpa when they head home to California.
1 little bucket of water
A little beach fun! Aren't they the cutest!
She looks pretty content now, but what a day! Kate fell off our barstool just right and broke her arm. The crazy thing was there was no swelling, she would only cry if you touched it.
We spent an evening with good friends making graham cracker houses. Candy, Candy, candy and more candy. Madeline had so many sweets she had her first belly ache. The kids also love to make goodies for the neighbors. Dwane is incharge of all the treat making. He puts the kids to work and they have such a ball. They specialize in chocolate covered pretzels, toffee, & peanut clusters. I get to be quality control.
After Christmas at our home we travel to North Carolina to celebrate a few days with Grandma and Grandpa Young it was a added bonus to see cousins too.
Sorry I was too lazy to rotate this picture, but Alexa got Polly Pocket Race to the Market as she calls it and was so excited that it was all we could do to contain her. Every time we went to Costco we would have to stop in the toy section and look at the Polly Pocket Race track and then all the way home she'd talk about it.
Kate and her Stuffed puppy (she wanted a real one!!) Santa opted for this one, because it is so well behaved and potty trained.
Madeline and her High School Musical Barbie Dolls, we are starting the preteen thing! It's fun and scary all at the same time.
This was Robb's Christmas miracle "Cross bow and Catapults" last year Santa discontinued this game which is a favorite from Dwane's childhood. He must have been a good boy this year.
We spent Christmas Eve with my missionary parents and cousin who lives 3 miles from us! This is our second year and we have such a nice time. Madeline casts the nativity and it is a wonderful. My cousins boys who are all teenagers dress up and are so sweet to participate in whatever Madeline wants them to do!
The weekend before Christmas we had a slumber party at Elder and Sister Johnson's (aka Grandma and Grandpa) apartment. The kids love snuggling with them. Grandpa and Grandma took Madeline and Robb to the "Nutcraker" for Christmas it was a first time for both of them and they really enjoyed it. Well Robb said that the dancing did get a little long, but overall he said there was some cool parts.
Our Holiday Season started out with a trip to see Grandma Johnson who is a missionary in Richmond Virginia. She had just had surgery so we thought we bring her a little love and cheer.
The Neighborhood Bunch...
When I asked Alexa to see where Kate had gone I didn't expect it to come with a little bribery scheme. She always has something up her sleeve.
