Christmas!

The Sunday before Christmas we had a big snow storm!
The kids had fun playing in the snow after church. They built a snow fort, made snowballs and went sledding.

On monday night for Christmas Eve Eve we had the "Surprise Dinner " at G & G Shields.
It was a fun night, full of dinner, gift exchanges cousins, etc...

Everyone got new gloves for Christmas. So we had a gloves pictures.



On Christmas eve we went to Springville to spend the day with Goofy Grandma and Grandpa, Jen, Chandler, and cousin Eden. It was fun day! Everyone loved holding little Eden. Except Lizzie. She was pretty grumpy about all the attention Eden was getting. She is a big spoiled youngest child. But we all spoil her, so what can we expect.

We had a yummy tri tip barbeque and then headed home in the evening to our house so Santa could come.
The kids were all so excited for Christmas and wanted to hurry and go to sleep so Santa could come.



These pictures got out of order, so here's some random pics from the week.

Christmas morning, the kids woke up around 7:00. Lizzie was scared to get out of her bed because she thought Santa was still at our house. We reassured her that he wasn't here and that he had left her presents.  She got all excited and decided to get out of bed.

The kids were all thrilled with their Christmas presents.
Taylor got a guitar
Emily got new bedding and a lamp, nightstand for her bedroom.
Isaac got a drum and a skateboard
Lizzie got a new doll and a princess dress/crown

Elizabeth had been wearing her crown for 10 days straight now, she loves it!
After opening gifts we had a big breakfast, relaxed, played with Legos, and spent the day in our PJ's. It was wonderful day.

Taylor got some architectural Legos and he had fun putting them all together.

Emily in her cute new coat! It's so furry and warm.

Isaac is offcially the drummer in our family band.

We had a fabulous Christmas! We feel so blessed for all we have and are grateful to celerate the birth of our Savior.

Christmas is almost here!

This week was another fun, busy and crazy Christmas week.
We went downtown to see the lights at Temple Square with our friends The Halls, for FHE. It was a fun, cold night. The lights are always so beautiful and it's the perfect activity to get you in the mood for Christmas!

Here's our house all decorated for the holidays. I love getting Christmas cards from friends and family.

We hosted Lizzie's preschool at our house this week. We read Frosty the Snowman and made snowman crafts. The kids played and had fun too!

Taylor had an orchestra concert at school on Thursday. He plays the violin at school. He did great and they sounded good. It was fun to see him play, they don't bring their instruments home to practice so this was the first time I'd heard him play.
He is great at music! Taylor plays the Ukelele, piano and violin. He really enjoys music and seems to learn to quickly!

We had some snow storms this week. The kids love to go outside and play in the snow.

They made two snow walls and made lots of snowballs too, then they had a giant snowball fight, boys vs. girls. They loved it!

The snow really makes it feel like Christmas!

This is the cutest card Isaac made for Taylor. He made him a gift at school and on the card wrote "to my Talyor family, from Isaac W." It was so sweet, and he was very proud of his gift and card.



On Friday night the older kids had their annual Christmas cousin sleepover and G & G Shields house.
They love this sleepover and really look forward to it!



They have tons of activities planned; games, dinner, going to get gelato, hot tubbing, opening gifts, crafts, decorating cookies, watch a movie, and sleep under the Christmas tree. They all had a blast and came home tired and happy!

Thanks to G & G Shields for having such a fabulous party for all the kids!

Saturday night was the Shields Family extended Christmas Party in Midway, UT. We had dinner, a talent show and visited with cousins, aunts, uncles etc... It was a fun night and an entertaining party.

We love all these Christmas festivities, they really get us in the mood for Christmas! 
Merry Christmas!!

We love December!

Last week we had some friends over for dinner. We had fun making Christmas trees and decorating then with candy and frosting   Yummy, the kids loved this idea, it was great!

Here's the finished trees, covered in snow (coconut).
The Neg N' Nog was last week, but we didn't go. Here's the classic family picture from the party!

On Monday we had Monica's girls over to play. Lizzie and Allison had fun entertaining themselves with sunglasses and princess gowns. They are hilarious when they play together, I love listening to their conversations. This age is magical.
Our elf, Elfie has been busy reporting to the North Pole each night. Lizzie loves Elfie and runs to find him each morning.

Wednesday Lizzie had school at her friend's house. They read "Snowmen at Night" and made snowman snacks. Lizzie loved it, she is still obsessed with Frosty The Snowman.
I had Isaac's friends for a few hours, so we went Mcdonald's to play. The boys had fun playing and eating lunch. They are a funny group of boys, they keep me entertained.

Wednesday night was our Relief Society Christmas Dinner for our ward. I was helping with the party and dinner. We decided to have an Ugly Sweater party, and "home for the Holidays" theme. The party was also for the Young Women. It was a fun night, but I didn't get many pictures. We had dinner, had a photo booth, we did a service project, had hot chocolate and treats and a short program with a musical number. It was a fabulous night, but I was exhausted after!

Friday after school we went to our local store to see Santa Claus. Lizzie was terrified as usual, so she stayed in my arms the whole time. The other kids visited with Santa and we got a picture.

This particular Santa is very kind, and sweet. The kids were thrilled, and it was a fun outing for everyone. Lizzie even survived and gave him a wave when we left.

Saturday was a crazy, wild day. We delivered neighbor and friends gifts all morning, ran a few Christmas errands. Then Taylor and his friend, Nate worked on their Science Project in the afternoon.
Danny took Taylor and Emily to the BYU vs. UofU game that night, while I wrapped gifts.
It was a successful week, but I am tired and need a nap!
Christmas is coming too soon. Happy December!

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!!