This year, instead of doing the regular "12 days of Christmas" where I would wrap a book, or video, or we would do an activity together; I instead had us learn about Christ everyday. We watched the videos the LDS church recently put out on the life and ministry of Christ, seen here.
https://www.lds.org/bible-videos/videos?lang=eng
It brought about questions and answers, and helped all of us to strengthen our testimony and knowledge on our Savior, Jesus Christ.
We spent some time enjoying the sights, sounds, and flavors of Christmas. Amelie and Joey loved to play "Santa" together. They would put on the hats, and fill the stockings by the fireplace with goodies from the pantry.
Amelie loves pushing our bunny, Charlie, around in the grocery basket.
Making sugar cookies in all shapes and sizes.
Our neighborhood put on a Christmas party, sponsored by our ward. We had a live nativity, chili, doughnuts, fire pits to warm ourselves by, carolers and tractor pulled wagon rides. Such a great event, with all of us coming together.
Lisa, Nana, Amelie, Ella and myself all traveled to Temple Square together to see the special Christmas performance by the Mormon Tabernacle choir, with special guests......the muppets from sesame street! Amelie still can't get over the fact that she saw Big Bird in person.
I've been able to hit the slopes more than ever this season (despite our lack of snow). Some days are solo, some with girlfriends, and some with just my girls. Love love love being outside enjoying this beautiful God Created world.
This season we all thought of ways to #sharethegift of Jesus Christ. The kids really tried to think of ways that they could share that gift with others.
Ella had her class Christmas performance. It was a celebration of holiday traditions from around the world. Her country was Spain, and she, along with her class, sang a Spanish holiday tune. It was a fun performance. Nana and Lisa were even able to attend!
Amelie made many fun Christmas crafts in her preschool.
I bought these remote-control battery operated candles for some lanterns outside. The kids got creative. Spooky.
Dax loved sleeping in his Santa hat. Cute little elf.
The holidays can be a bit exhausting at times. Caught these two snuggled, asleep on the couch one day.
We even did some snowmobiling over the break. The temperatures were frigid, so we hopped off the snowmobiles and played in the snow to get our blood flowing and warm up our bodies.
We also went to City Creek, in Salt Lake City to visit Aunt Lisa at the Lancome counter. She treated Amelie and Ella with makeovers. Loved it!
Shera hosted the Thredgold Christmas Party at her beautiful home in Mountain Green. We even had baby John as our Jesus this year!
Shera set up cute backdrops for us to take some family pictures.
All the cousins.
The Whitmers joined us for some ice skating on Kasey's homemade ice rink. We played some hockey, then went out for Chinese afterward. All the boys dared each other to eat a "Chinese Pepper." Some heavy breathing, wide eyes, and lots of water later......they all did it!
Cam and I were able to squeeze in a backcountry ski day up Snake Creek. Pretty amazing to have this stuff just up the street.
Ella and Amelie had their Christmas performance. They each did a cute little number and were so excited to dress up again.
Strike a pose girls!
Before we knew it, Christmas Eve was upon us!
Let me start by saying that Cam and I have both told our children that we will NEVER, EVER have a dog. They are smelly, dirty, obnoxious little creatures that poop in your yard and generally make houseguests uncomfortable as they slobber all over their hands and sniff at their crotch. It just wasn't in the cards. However, the kids were relentless. They REALLY wanted a dog. Do you recall Amelie's reflections entry?
"The World would be a better place if I had a Dog."
Turns out Santa had the same idea. He led us to a sweet lady in Mapleton who just so happened to have a litter of goldendoodle pups for sale. Santa helped us pick just the right pup.
The kids awoke Christmas Morning to a blanket of snow on the ground. A white Christmas!
Santa had come! They all peeked over the railing to the Christmas morning below:
The tree all lit up, with goodies and presents underneath.
A note from Santa that read:
"Josh, Dax, Ella and Amelie, I thought of the perfect gift for all of you this year----you're all getting the same gift. But I couldn't have done it without your parents--they found the perfect one. You're gonna love him. Santa.
PS-i had to talk your mom into this one."
Ella read the note, and afterward they each began to unwrap their present from Santa. A dog bed, a water/food bowl, dog toys, and a bag of dog food.
Then around the corner, came the newest member of our family. Griswold the Goldendoodle puppy! You can see Daxton's face, this is where he started screaming, PUPPY!
They rushed to him, picked him up, and showered him with hugs and kisses.
He is a cute little guy. Pees and poops in the house plenty, but I'm coming around.
We were so lucky this year to have Kelli and Kendall join us for Christmas! They also gave that puppy lots of love!
We then opened the rest of the presents. Josh got a guitar.
Ella and Amelie both got mermaid tails.
The family got a ping pong table. Let the battles begin!
And Josh got a drum set (on loan---thanks Shera and Jeff!)
Dax got a MIP robot, guess we didn't take a picture of that. But you can watch Daxton's tutorial on the robot here:
We had some special visitors with Nana, Grandpa, Uncle Cam and Aunt Lisa.
And that evening we enjoyed a nice quiet, Christmas, Candlelit dinner with our little family (note they are still in their pjs! Christmas Day is the best!)
The boys really wanted to sleep with the pup. So they slept with him one night, and Amelie with Dax another night.
We took the girls to the Kamas Pool a few days later to try out their new Mermaid Tails.
Dax built a snowman with our freshly fallen snow.
Amelie took the puppy for his first "walk." She said "Mom, I think this is the best day of his life!"
She loves carrying him around outside.
We also spent a day at Nana and Grandpa's cabin. Sledding, eating good food, playing in the snow, and living it up with our cousins!
What an AMAZING Christmas vacation we spent together!
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