Merry Christmas

We had a great Christmas this year, as usual. The kids always get to open 1 present on Christmas Eve. And it's ALWAYS Christmas pj's. They know this, and yet they're still super excited to open them. I think it's just the whole idea that they're that close to the "real deal"!

After they were changed into jammies, we finished up our advent calendar. Colton and Whitley are getting a little old for this, but Kennedy was way into it. They let her put up the Santa Claus. 5:30 AM Waiting in our bed while Landon "checks to see if Santa came", and turns on some lights and the camera.Opening up the flood gates. I so remember this feeling as a kids. The excitement. The anticipation. So fun.

I think Whitley has the best reactions to her presents. She so wanted this Kindle.I think my favorite gift we gave the kids this year were these awesome "Who is your hero?" posters. Colton favorite scripture story is Samuel the Lamanite.
After we had finished opening everything and the kids were checking out all their new stuff, Landon asked Colton to get something from the family room. Santa had brought the family one last present and we were helping him find it. He stood right next to it for several minutes, telling us he couldn't find whatever is was Landon had sent him in for. Finally Kennedy glanced his way and went nuts when she the the big present. How did he miss this thing? It was wrapped in shiny blue and silver paper!! It's an air hockey, ping pong combo table. We are going to put it in our loft for yet another space for the kids to hang out and have fun.

Later our parents and grandma great came over for more gifts and breakfast. I didn't snap 1 single picture! We tried something new this year with our gift giving, and it really simplified life. it really helped us focus on Christ and the first Christmas so many years ago. It is definitely something we will continue with. I'll have to explain in another post. This one is already to long.

Christmas Eve Cookies

Christmas eve we made our cookies for Santa. We always do sugar cookies. MY FAVORITE!

This year I pretty much turned it over to the kids. There was flour and dough all over my kitchen, but they had a good time. I made Colton wear this apron. He was bitter! That's just the kind of mom I am.

For some reason when it's time to frost the cookies it's always a competition. Being the competitive person that I am, I always bring my A game. This is usually about the time Landon starts hanging around. His method seems to be something like this. Frost a cookie, eat a cookies, frost a cookie, eat a cookie.

Piano Recital

Today was the kids Christmas recital. I know they look forward to this all season long!! Their recital is always at an assisted living center and the residents are invited to join us. I love that idea. There were several cute little tapping their fingers and singing along to the Christmas songs.

Afterwards Grandma Great took everyone out to eat at Claim Jumper to celebrate the recital being over. Landon and Kennedy ordered the "I Declare" for dessert. This thing was bigger than Lan's head. It's a big eclair with a ton of ice cream all around the base, covered in whip cream and chocolate sauce.

Yes, they ate the whole thing. Just the two of them.

Christmas with the Nutcracker

The girls and I went to see the Nutcracker tonight. As you know, we do this every year, but this year was different. Two reasons. First every year Kennedy tries to ruin the night. Maybe not on purpose, but she does nonetheless. She's bored, or tired, or mad about having to wear a dress. This year she loved the ballet. She kept leaning over to me and saying "oh I love this one", or "I remember that one". She was actually enjoying the ballet!

Second, my sweet 90 year old grandma is in town for Christmas, so we took her with us to see the ballet. She loved it. She lives in a tiny town in Idaho, and doesn't go out much. She went on and on about what a fabulous night she was having. I'm so glad she was able to go.

Of course Grandma Ruth was there this year too. So fun to have 4 generations enjoying something together. I'm go grateful that my kids have had the opportunity to know my grandparents, their great-grandparents.

Of course the girls got their traditional nutcracker. They should have a pretty good collection by the time they're adults! Whitley got another snow globe for her collection, and Kennedy went for a shiny blue nutcracker.

I'm so grateful for this tradition that was started years ago by my other grandma in Salt Lake. It is something I look forward to every Christmas season, and it's been so fun to be able to pass this tradition on to my own girls.

Mesa Temple Lights

Tonight we took the kids to the Mesa temple to see the lights. Going to the temple lights is as much a part of our Christmas celebration as brushing our teeth is part of getting ready for the day. It's just automatic. A no brainer. You get the idea. We went in to see Luke 2 first, and I found myself wishing it was longer. There is such a peace when you watch the humble circumstance in which the Saviour came into this world. My kids all commented on wanting it to be longer too. Then we wandered around the temple grounds. The weather was perfect! We barely needed a sweatshirt tonight. After seeing all the lights we needed to, we headed out for some dinner.

It's nice to take a day, or at least a couple hours and pause in all of the chaos of our lives and this time of year and reflect on what matters. Why we celebrate Christmas. His birth, His life, and His Atonement for us.

Athena - Goddess of War

The 6th grade finally had their Greek God/Goddess wax museum this morning. Whitley was Athena, Goddess of War.

I found this sa-weet gold vest and white nightgown at the Goodwill and hacked them up to make this costume! I turned out good pretty good if I do say so myself!Tatum, Bailee, Whitley

We Start at 7AM

All three of my kids take the piano. This is not optional in our house. Maybe it's because I grew up with the piano Nazi, and that's just what I know. But I do think it's good for them, and I am grateful that I know how to play the piano. (yes mom, you were right). So I want that for my kids too.

My mom is their piano teacher, and I hear her complain about her students not practicing. I'm sure it's frustrating. However, I am on the other end of that deal and know how crazy busy life is. So years ago, I figured out that if we were going to get all 3 kids their 30 minutes of practice time, it was going to have to be before school! Lo and behold, it's working.

Now, don't get me wrong. There are plenty of mornings that it just doesn't happen, or maybe it just kind of happens. And most mornings one, if not two of them is bitter about the whole thing and they practice the piano as ridiculously as they can. For instance Whitley this morning...
Throwing her head back, and playing as slowly as possible. What she doesn't understand is that I don't care! That only makes her practice time longer! Welcome. Welcome to 7:30am at my house! Please sit, stay a while. There will be another pouting, angry child practicing at 8:00am.

Christmas "Flute" Concert

This is Whit's second year playing the flute. She likes it okay, but when I asked her the other day if she was going to keep playing in Jr. High she said "nope"! They had their Christmas concert tonight. Colton had a basketball game in Tempe, so Landon and I drew straws to see who went where. (I won't tell you who "won"). I will just say that the 5th grade band, then the 5th grade strings, then the 6th grade band, and then the 6th grade strings were all performing several songs each. And they really frown on you leaving in middle of the concert after your own kids has played. The basketball game was the beginning of a tournament, and Colton's first game! 'Nuff said.

I sent Lan with the camera and instructions to get some pics. He got just enough to document the fact that when Whit was 11 she played the flute. That'll do.