Christmas time

Christmas time brings so much excitement, teaching, remembrance, stress, and goodies to our lives.

 

 One night we went to San Tan Village to hear Mrs. Clause tell a story.

 Getting the tree up. We have a real tree down stairs and this year we bought a fake tree to put upstairs that the kids put their ornaments on. Macie destroyed a couple dozen ornaments.

The first day of December, the kids opened their new jammies, had a treat, and we read our first Christmas book. They couldn't wait to open How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and as it turned out, it was the last book to be opened. What are the chances?

All 4 in their new jammies and all cleaned up.

My bookends: Sydney (9) and Macie (20months)

I love Macie's big smile, scrunched up nose, squeezy cheeks, little front teeth, and curly hair.

One night we went to the temple. We heard a group of flutists play and walked around to see the lights.

One morning before church.

Family pictures

We took our family pictures in November but I didn't download them to my computer until December.

 We took them in downtown Gilbert early Saturday morning. It was a "mini" session. Only 30 minutes. Super quick, super easy, and the kids were amazing so we took them to get a donut after since it was only 8:30am still.

 After the session we had soccer games and Sydney had a recording to do at church (for violin). It was a busy day but we got the "dreaded" family pictures done, and it wasn't even bad. So maybe it will turn into the "exciting" family pictures now ;)

Thanksgiving

This year, mom and dad came to visit us for Thanksgiving. This weekend seemed more calm because we weren't traveling and taking our kids outta school. There was a lot of playing as you can see.

 It's hard to tell in this picture but dad and Jeff put Christmas lights on and the rest of us decorated inside for Christmas and getting ready for our free SNO day the following week.

 Sydney helped make the rolls.

 This is Macie's pouty lip. It's a good one. Don't think I've ever captured just the right picture of it.

 Thanksgiving day while Macie was sleeping and dad and Jeff were watching football we played Aggravation.

 Then Jeff took a nap and we went to our park to pick up a whole bag full of trash.

 I love when they get along!!

Everything turned out yummy and it was so calm. We mostly prepped in the morning and had the rest of the morning and afternoon to relax and enjoy one another.

 After dinner we played a little game....a gratitude photo scavenger hunt. Boys vs. Girls. This picture below was "something that makes you strong...."

 "Someone you love that isn't in the group".....Jeff with our Bishop's wife

 "Something that is bright..." a sunset

 "Something older than you..." we're all older than Macie.

 "something that is patriotic" Levi is with the Bishop.

It was such a great day and week with mom and dad here.

Violin

These are just some great pictures that were taken of Sydney. Sydney was asked to play a violin for our ward CD. She recorded a song at church, "I am a Child of God." The ward orchestra also recorded a song to put on the CD too.

 These two, above and below, are my favorite. In a few weeks the ward orchestra will play a christmas song in sacrament.

Some fun family moments

 One morning before school started, we went to a church to vote. The kids got a little lecture about the voting process.

 Macie giving lovies to Sydney. She gives everyone kisses before bedtime.

 She loves going to the park and going on the swings. It's a good time to play at the park, right before we pick up the girls from the bus stop.

 Now that it is "winter" we can play outside ALL the time. Neighbors are outside playing so it's just a big party....until someone gets hurt. haha.

Jeff took Levi to his first basketball game. Jeff said the first 10 minutes he was watching the game and then he lost interest. He loved his foam finger though and getting a little bite to eat at the game! He's starting basketball in January.