December is here

We got our Christmas tree last weekend, but didn't put it up or decorate it until Sunday night. This year we are trying something a little different for our Christmas tree. We bought a Norfold Island Pine Tree. We got small one because we are keeping it in our house after the holidays and hopefully having it be big and tall by next December. It's a pretty tree and the kids thought it was fun but a little weird at first.

We had a fun evening decorating the house and putting lights and ornaments on the tree. Then Taylor read a few books to the kids including "The Elf on the Shelf".  Our Elf is named Elfie, and he keeps the kids in good behavior!

There was some snowfall this week, which means the kids stayed out late in the evening playing in the snow with their friends. They built a huge snow fort, and then had some hot chocolate at our neighbors house. The weather this week has been bitter cold! The high temps have been about 22 degrees, so at night the weather is unbearably cold! But these kids don't mind it.

When all the older kids were getting their snow clothes on Lizzie went and got ready too. She chose a hat, an orange TuTu and her snowboots. She insisted this was her snow suit and wanted to go outside like this. She looks just like Edith from Despicable Me.

She's been doing some funny things this week.
She was running on the ice and totally fell on her face, instead of crying she rolled on her back and said " That was fun, I like ice!"
I was so glad she hadn't been hurt.
Also the other day I was in the bathroom getting ready and she started saying "You're not mad-right mom? You're happy?!" She repeated this a couple of times in her sweetest voice. I went into her room to see her writing all over the wall and her dresser with a pen, while she was holding her coloring note book in her hand!
She knew she was doing the wrong thing, but didn't care! She's frustrating sometimes but so cute.

Here's the bookshelf Taylor and Danny built last week. It turned out great and is perfect to hold all of Tay's stuff.

Here's Lizzie at school this week. They talked about the Polar Express.  She really loved her school!

Thursday night the kids participated in a program at "This is the Place Park". It was the St. Martin's Lantern Parade and program. The sang with lanterns, walked around, and we listened to a great talk by Elder Uchdorf.  It was a wonderful event, but SO freezing cold!! The kids were popsicles by the end so we headed home as soon as it was over.  We all had frozen toes, fingers etc.... It was a good experience but not so fun when the weather is only 10 degrees.



Danny and I met for lunch at Einstein's this week. We ran into a few of our friends, so we took a picture to show their husbands. It was a fun lunch.




Saturday morning was our ward Christmas breakfast. It was a yummy brkfst. with Santa, music and the whole neighborhood.



Right after the ward party we drove to Midway in the snow to go ot the Hawkins Family Christmas party. It was a Polar Express theme, with chimes, Bingo, games, lunch etc...

The kids had fun with their cousins, the food was delicious and everyone had a great time! It was a cold, and snowy day so I was happy that we were driving in Danny's truck.  We love family parties!

We love this holiday season and are really excited for Christmas!!  Happy holidays!!