Tis' the Season

 Here are some of the pictures from our festivities before Christmas, I don't have pictures from us seeing the Christmas lights, or from any of our really fun family home evenings that were Christmas based, Which included the First Presidency Christmas message, We did a gift of giving learning how to give and what to give to others, a give to other's fhe where we did cards for serviceman and women as well as did some local gift giving to those in need and our friends The kids and I made play dough for our friends here in town Peppermint scented and colored it red and white, they turned out cute and it was fun to do together.. And we did  a Christ/ Santa Comparison which I actually did on Christmas Eve. I told the kids that there was going to be a very special visitor coming to our home and I wanted to describe him to them, I described him and the kids of course thought I was talking about Santa, I had James knock on a door I had made out of paper and attached to a cookie sheet then he opened the door it was a Picture of Jesus We talked about the true meaning of Christmas and about the symbols of Christmas again. It was a perfect set up for Christmas morning. We opened our traditional one gift, put out food for the reindeer and santa and sent the kids to bed. When the kids got up at almost 8:00 we let them check out and play with the stuff from Santa then we did breakfast, while we were at the table Addy was listing off all the things she wanted to do on Christmas, which included going sledding (we got snow) playing lego's (a new fave at our house) playing pirates and watching a new show they had received I laughed and said what about opening presents, She said, oh yeah we should do that too! We all got a good laugh out it. Anyways Earlier in December We took the kids to see Santa at Doug's office, it was a Coop field trip so all our friends were there I had put together homemade hot chocolate and sugar cookies for everyone to decorate after they saw Santa. James told santa he had to sit on his lap and smile once at the camera that was the only reason he was there, LOL Addy was all about seeing Santa although she explained to him she knew he wasn't the real Santa but she would appreciate him passing on to the Real Santa how good she had in fact been this year and Audryn well she wanted nothing to do with him.

 Santa always gives out presents at the office Addy picked this Cute HUH!!!

 My sugar cookies turned out sooo beautiful and tasted good too, I had to take a picture since that is really not the norm. James helped me make the cookies, He really loves to help in the kitchen.

 Addy's class program had a special visitor so we gave it a try with Dryn to see if she would like it any better a second time, she didn't. But Addy explained the same to this Santa as she did the other one. It was really cute.

 Addy's class production was kind of a big deal the practiced for weeks and had rehearsals Addy had her own line she had to practice and memorize. She did great and loved it, She memorized all the songs and could not wait to show us how hard she had worked and what she had learned.  We were very proud of her and all her progress she has made.

 James Coop had a Christmas party, we got to make Christmas trees and did fun stories and games and we did the  living Nativity complete with music it was so cute!

 James was an Adorable Joseph and Mary well she has asked James to Marry her, which side note we would love, she is such a great girl. But since they are three we will you know give them some time to figure that all out. LOL

 Isn't she cute?

 Seriously so cute together, I tell James all the time that him and Riley together would be a reckoning force, He is a natural leader and she is Charismatic and has a solid sense of self, together they are fun really fun I love it when we have play dates and these two are my Mateys so fun!

 My friends costumes for the nativity were fun too, all handmade except the Roman Soldiers which is what Addy is above.

One of our last festivities was James Preschool Christmas party which was nice it was low key and he did great they sang and put on a show but there was no pressure, James was dancing and singing and loved it. I love his Preschool and the head teacher she is so centered, the kind of teacher that brings her guitar to class and sings her way through the day, Yep love that. We had oodles of other Christmas Adventures and spent as much time together and enjoying the season as we could. Including we went to a showing of It's a wonderful life and Mary Poppins on Stage The kids loved loved loved it. They love the performing arts.  We also made it to the Art museum to see the Lego exhibit. We have been busy, but totally loved every minute of it. It will be hard for us to let Doug go back to work and get back to life as we know it....