Pre-Christmas activites

Christmas just isnt the same without all the pre-christmas fun!  Here is a little bit of what we did to get ready and in the Christmas spirit.

For FHE we visited the temple to check out the lights and the nativity. Lincoln was loving it all.

We made cookies to share with the elderly and the YW/YM when we went and sang at a rest home.  Lincoln is my best helper in the kitchen.

I walked into the kitchen and found this beauty that Lincoln had created with our juicer, blender, and old ice cream buckets.

We went and saw Santa at the Town Square Carousel.

At first neither Lincoln nor Norah wanted anything to do with Santa. Lincoln warmed up once Santa handed him a candy cane, Norah not so much.  She was as terrified as ever.

Lincoln is still loving pre-school.  He made this car all by himself one day so he had his teacher take a picture of it and send it to us.

It is still a constant battle with this kid at bed time.  We do our routine- Jammies, brush teeth, read scriptures, say prayer, go potty, and then read one book and then still he his begging to read more books, play, or leave the lights on.  I never quite know where he is going to be asleep when I go check on him later.

Norah is the cutest little sleeper, and on this particular day she wanted her big girl underwear--- and she doesnt care if it is on the outside or inside of her pants.

Marci went with the YW to Tuacahn to watch the Live Nativity, See Santa, and then watched Tuacahn High School's Christmas program.  It was a fun night with my Young Women.

Andrew had his birthday party at Jumpin Jacks.  The kids had a blast, especially with Aunt Whitney, Nana, and Pops who were all good sports and were going down all the slides with them.

It wore Norah out and she feel right asleep when we got in the van to go home.

Lincoln was able to go with Dad and the Scouts BOwling.  His first time.  Adam said he had a great time.

Not only is bedtime a fight but getting Lincoln dressed isn't too fun either. He often tries to hide in his towel as long as possible.

He still refuses to take naps but sometimes he is just so tired he falls asleep wherever he is at.

We weren't planning to get together all together with the Wittwers before Christmas, so after one of our Sunday dinners we threw together this fun nativity.  

Pops and Nana were the stars of the show being Joseph and Mary.... and the grandkids sure loved playing all the other parts.  

Channing, Jackson, and Lincoln were pretty excited about their gift giving. 

Baby Jesus (Emma) didnt seem to mind being bombarded with all the gifts, crown, and tinsel everyone was offering her.

Norah and Andrew were the sweetest little shepherds with their sheep.

and Rylee was a fabulous angel!  As you can imagine it was quite comical trying to get all the kids to stay and look at the camera for a picture. I love the group picture because it really does show all the craziness that goes on!  Christmas just wouldnt be the same without it!

Norah and Lincoln Loved the Christmas tree--- loved not only helping to decorate it but by the time Christmas arrived the bottom three feet had been undecorated and redecorated I don't know how many times by them.  They had a good time and loved moving stuff around.  Christmas is all about the joy of small things like this so why not let them play and have a good time with the ornaments.

We attempted to take some quick pics for a Christmas card!  Major disaster.  Let's just say that it is IMPOSSIBLE to get a 1 and a 3 year old to look at the camera at the same time while holding still with just one person trying to take the picture and keep their attention. I had a major Mom moment fail and ended up going to my mom's house to enlist some help from Aunt Whitney and Nana to at least get 1 picture that was decent.  I literally took hundreds of pics and not one was good (it doesnt help that I was just using my iphone to take the pics. haha).

Once at Nana and Whitney were there to help it was def. a little bit easier and we managed to get a couple good pics... and as in good I mean not blurry, looking at the camera, and smiling! It really was a Christmas miracle.  I don't know how professional photographers do it.

It also finally got cold enough in December to start a fire.... so of course we had to have Indoor Smores as an FHE treat one night!

I thought Lincoln was over throwing all the books off the shelf but I once again walked into his room to this.  Pretty sure I was pretty mad.

The weekend before Christmas we headed up to South Jordan to celebrate Christmas with the Butterfields.  Norah loved spending time with Boston and he taught her this new trick. They thought it was awesome they could look under their legs and see each other. Too cute.  

 Adam bought a gun at Cabelas--- but of course it being the weekend before Christmas things were crazy busy there.  They were there for over 3 hours just waiting for his turn to buy the gun. So Lincoln had plenty of time to enjoy all the animals and fish they have there.

 Lincoln and Brevan hanging out.

 We also went to Scheels an afternoon of entertainment and riding the ferris wheel. These kids love their Grandma Penny!

This may be one of my favorite pics taken in December. The Barton family did a 12 days of Christmas for Grandpa and Grandma Barton. We got Dec. 23rd. Basically we gave a visit, an ornament, and a Christmas story.  It was great to see and visit them without lots of others there.  This picture shows so many things that I love about my grandparents house.  It is where I have so many memories and this is how I hope to remember it always! 

Next up Christmas!