This Christmas season has been full of fun! One thing that is hard about living away from family is realizing it's all up to you...no grandmas to plan fun events no cousins to invite to make activities more exciting, no temple lights to go see. So many of my holiday memories revolve around extended family parties, group traditions and houses so full of people the food runs out. As a kid, December was always an incredibly magical time and I looked forward to it all year. I couldn't wait to get started on all our fun traditons. I want my kids to be able to feel that same way about the Christmas season and feel the excitement of that good kind of hustle and bustle when life feels full because there are so many people to love and important, meaningful events to be a part of.
It's a lot of work, but so worth it as I watch my kids enjoy Christmastime the same way I did as a kid. I can tell that, this year, it's magical for them. They know what is happening, can remember things, can anticipate. It's great! In fact, the other night, Jace said, "Mom, this Christmas chain is so fun, it should be a tradition." I said, "It is our tradition." He said, "No, I mean like the kind of tradition that everyone does...like my kids, and my kids' kids. It's just so great I want everyone to be able to do it." That's all it took and every moment of effort was worth it!
Caroling!
Last week we got a group together (we have the best ward) to come caroling with us at an assisted living facility. It was one of our favorite activities. Before we went, we talked to the boys about the sweet older people we would be singing to and encouraged them to be kind, loving, outgoing and unafraid (we find thoroughly prepping our kids for new situations and telling them our expectations is hands down the best way to ensure a good outcome). I was so impressed with them! They all spoke to the men and women, smiled and asked them questions. They sang well and loved it so much that just Mike, Jace and Parker caroled to the folks on the 4th floor because they wanted to do more. I was very impressed with James too because one of the women kept coming up to him and saying to him, "Aren't you just a beautiful baby girl." Now, for a 5 year old boy to hold his tongue and just give me a look when she says that over and over again is pretty amazing.
The residents loved our singing and especially loved seeing the children---one of the only places left where the people get giddy with happiness at seeing 20 little kids walk in the door. They were crazy about baby Pierce who slept in his seat the whole time. One lady stood at the front of our group and acted as our conductor the entire time. If she was the only one there, her smile and bright eyes would have made the night worth it. As we left, both Jace and Parker talked and talked about how much fun they had and how they felt so good inside, like they really made the people there happy. Parker asked when we could return. They are such great kids.
Marshmallow Dipping!
For our neighborhood gifts this year, we decided to dip large marshmallows in chocolate and roll them in yummy toppings like crushed candy cane, graham cracker crumbs, toasted coconut, crushed toffee, and almonds. It was great fun and a perfect activity for the kids to help with. They "stuck" it out and dipped over 150! The sticks made the dipping especially easy and germ free. When the marshmallow suckers dried, we wrapped them in sucker bags and tied them on to our Christmas card with festive ribbon. I think this will be our gift every year.
Celebrating Baby
He's just such a cutie. It's been so fun to have him around through all the festivities. He's SO good, SO chubby and SO delightful. I need to get more pics of him...2 1/2 months is a tough age to get a good picture...especially when you always have to use a flash. He's started giggling and we all love it so much. And, yes, his eyes are still blue. Crazy!
Par-tay!
Around Christmastime we love gathering our adult friends together to enjoy some good food and good company. These last 2 years we've invited some of the students in Mike's program to our home...we provide soup and salad and they bring an array of desserts and we hang out and chat and catch up. We've been so lucky to meet such great people at the University who have been incredibly welcoming to us. They are so sweet to our kids and have been unbelievably kind and open to our crazy big and hectic family. We never expected such a warm welcome in a University atmosphere. We feel very blessed!
Still lots of fun left to come. Boy how we love the holidays!
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