Christmas Eve night

The pictures got a little messed up in way we did first.  But we enjoyed a Bethlehem dinner; it was things like hummus, fish, dates, carrots, pita chips...then some dressed up and we talked about what life was like back then and how Mary and Joseph might have felt.   It was a fun new thing that we wanted to try and it might become a new Christ Centered Tradition!  Then Dave Read the nativity story and the kids acted it out.  Then Grammy read a Christmas story...then we did wishes...took pictures in red pajamas... and then Grammy read a book again...and then the kids got the plate ready for Santa and their list written out!  Sarah kept spouting off things...I had to stop her.  It was a fun night and it was nice to have Grammy with us...and missed having Papa with us.  This is one of my favorite nights of the Christmas season to think about our Savior.

The week of Christmas

A friend of mine brought me this fudge...which is honestly the best fudge ever!

I made cinnamon rolls for Dave's seminary class for their seminary little gift.  I made a double batch so we would have enough for us and his class!  Jonathan and Sarah had class till Christmas Eve...Jonathan and Sarah were festive for their Christmas Parties at school.  Grammy came into town on December 22nd at night...everyone couldn't wait for her to come...Dave had Christmas Eve day Dave had the day off and he made a cave for the kids while Grammy and I went shopping.

Sunday before Christmas Family Pictures

Getting our traditional Sunday before Christmas Family picture! Henry cheesing for the camera!

Santa Cookies 2014

This is our all time favorite Christmas tradition...the kids love to eat them, give them away, and save them for Santa (okay Dave and I love to eat them too).  This year Jonathan and Sarah helped with the decorating them...Jonathan had a hard time...Sarah loved it and did good at being meticulous!  We made two batches...although Dave thinks that we need to make three batches next year!

Random Stuff

I was having a hard time that week and Dave Surprised me with these flowers which made my day!

At the beginning of December I worked really hard to get the final touches on the youngest three baby books and Jonathan's 1-3 years... it consumed my time...but I am thankful for the time I spent cause I know they will be thankful for them someday.  However, Sarah LOVES hers...she looks at it in bed a few nights a week.
Jonathan is our little reader and we have a goal to read a Christmas book everyday...this year Jonathan read them to the younger kids.  I am not sure if Jonathan was exhausted or sick in this picture...I think the boys were just tried!

Another Christmas Family Activity

For Family Home evening we have our lesson, song and prayer on Sundays and then on Monday night we have our family activity which is one of my favorite nights of the week since we all are home and don't go anywhere...we just enjoy being together and playing...this Monday we played/sang Christmas Hymns and songs.  The three youngest were right next to Daddy and loving it.  Gordon made his own song book. (Making it real with the background mess)  Jonathan and I sat on the couch singing...Jonathan was love having the iPad to himself!