Things to Remember Week of 12-18-16

AWESOME SHARING TIME
Okay, this week made up for all the other crappy ones I did.  I LOVED my Sharing Time this week!  And not just because I got other people to do it for me :). We had men come dressed as Prophets and teach about "their" prophecies of Jesus' birth and life.  Pat Hill was Isaiah, Adam Pearce was Nephi, Travis Maughan was Alma, Dave Noriega was King Benjamin, and Nate was Samuel.  The kids were CAPTIVATED!  They loved it!  It was so fun to see them sit there and hang on their every word.  I hope they learned something.  I loved that it went so well!  I really couldn't have asked for better!  12-18-16

HOMEMADE GIFTS
Once my Sharing Time was over and done with- it was time to crack down on the homemade Christmas gifts.  I was a present-making machine!  Although, I was relieved when I decided not to worry about the vanity for the big girls.  That was going to be a lot of work and I was probably going to rush through it.  I want to do it when I am not on a time crunch.  When I can focus.  Anyway- I was able to help the kids with some of theirs too.  Lots of fun :).  12-19-16

STRANGE
We had another late night Presidency meeting at 9:00 at Barb's house.  Probably just the wrong time of year for it because I was dying- needing to be shopping and getting last minute things- we were there until 11:30pm!!!!  Kinda nuts.  12-20-16

LAST DAY OF SCHOOL
Wednesday seemed a little crazy.  I was an emotional wreck. Erika had been feeling a little under the weather and didn't make it clear to me, so I fought her for a good hour to get her to school so she didn't miss out on the last day before the break.  It all started with a coat.  But I failed and she was feeling sick enough that I let her stay home.  She, Jack and Molly all chilled with Nate here at home while I went to playgroup to "cool off".  Thanks to my dear friend, Emily, it worked.  She even brought her delicious chocolates!  I really lucked out in the best friend department.  So then Nate and I ran around doing all the last minute stuff we had been needing to do while the kids were in school.  It was a little nuts, but we got it done.  12-21-16

GRANDPA RUSS
Grandpa Russ got out of the hospital (again) on Thursday!  We were their ride home.  It was good to see Ruth and Russ again and in such great spirits.  Happy to be going home.  We had a funny ride home, since we'd driven both cars, we were going to meet up on Christmas Street to see the lights, but for some reason (probably because I was rocking out to the radio) we completely spaced where we were going and headed home before Christmas Street!  I couldn't believe it when I got to about 3300 S. that I'd done that!  The kids were really looking forward to Christmas street, so we actually turned around and went back!!  Nate, Charity and Jack had already seen it, so they headed home.  We finally got there and enjoyed it (even though it was somewhat lacking- it's really the tradition of it that we like :) ).  The evening was complete :).  12-22-16

SUBURBAN EXPRESS
This was one of the few traditions the kids mentioned when I asked them what things would make their Christmas complete :).  So we made sure to fit it in.  Nate got off at 8:00 on Friday night, so we did all the necessary bedtime things and I had the kids get in bed at 7:00 ish so that I could then "wake them up" give them their special tickets and load them into the "Polar Express".  We listened to fun Christmas music all the way to Nate's work, picked him up (his car was not working that morning), and then drove back up to Layton to get some hot chocolate and see the Layton Lights.  It was a lot of fun.  I hope it was all the kids hoped for and more :).  They seemed to love it.  12-23-16

CLEAN HOUSE!
Christmas Eve always ends up being a little bit of a cleaning day at our house.  I force everyone to get the house to 10 before it crashes the next day.  I don't know why I care so much, but I do.  I think Santa appreciates the lack of mess when he comes as well.  So anyway, when I woke up (late- this cold has really knocked me flat- no running all week) I came downstairs to a freshly cleaned house!  Thanks to Kelly, Bradley and Noah.  Good kids.  12-24-16

Things to Remember Week of 12-11-16

PRIMARY PROGRAM
Our Program was so much stress for the past couple months, but went SO WELL!!  I don't think we could have asked for better!  The kids all did amazing!  I loved how it turned out.  It's funny how no matter how worried we are or how much we plan and prepare- it really comes down to the Spirit.  It was neat.  We had so many compliments on our little comment cards that we weren't able to read them all in Primary.  We gave the kids cookies and chocolate milk and let them play the chimes for music time.  It was a lot of fun!  Glad to have it done :).  12-11-16

FHE
We did our traditional train ride down to SLC for the Temple Square lights this week.  We got off to kind of a late start thanks to the dumb plumber situation.  We hurried to the train station in all our bundled up warm clothes.  Pretty uneventful and everyone was just happy and enjoying the ride together... love that. We decided to wait and get dinner at City Creek Food Court before the lights.  So we battled our way through the crowds and lines to get some food, found the only empty table in the whole place and sat down to eat.  That was fun too.  Everyone was so happy and grateful for everything :).  We walked back to temple square passing the windows with the candy displays.  That was a lot of fun.  Even Molly liked those.  This was about the only thing she liked and didn't cry through though, unfortunately.  She was too cold I think.  We got to Temple Square around 7:30, got some pictures of the temple and reflection pond (tradition) and then walked back to Mom and Dad's spot :).  Jack was really wanting to touch some water, so I let him on our way back toward the temple- I think I'm his new favorite :).  By then it was getting pretty late, so we had to pass on our JB's hot chocolate tradition and decided to just hit the light rail after walking through Temple Square and looking at the Nativity.  We didn't have to wait too long for the light rail, but we had a half hour wait at the train!  Kinda crazy.  Way too cold for that.  Poor Molly struggled.  Everyone else was still having the time of their lives.  The train ride home was great/uneventful.  Charity and I talked to the lady I was sitting by.  Then we came home and had our own hot chocolate :).  I was shocked when I looked up and saw that it was 9:45!!! Time for bed!!  Fun night though!  12-12-16

TEMPLE TUESDAY SHADOWBROOK
So this is the 4th month of Temple Tuesday since the ward split and we had 2 girls come :).  Besides Charity, Kelly and Bradley of course.  So it's not completely fizzled out :).  But Savannah (the one who urged me to continue doing it and was the most persuasive) has yet to come.  Interesting :).  This week was crazy because I totally didn't wake up to my alarm at all!  I woke up at 5:03 (three minutes after I'm supposed to be done picking all the girls up!) to Nate saying, "Aren't you going to the temple this morning?"  Pretty crazy, mad dash to get ready!  I looked like death, but I was out the door by 5:12.  I felt bad I was so late, but the temple wasn't as crowded as it sometimes get when we get off to a late start, so that was a blessing.  It's a bummer that they don't allow the parents/leaders to do the baptisms unless it's family names anymore.  But I did get to poke my head in and watch my kids get baptized :).  I love the temple.  It's so perfect.  12-13-16

FIELD TRIP DAY
Everyone seemed to be having field trips this week!  I didn't get to go to any of them!  Such a bummer.  But Noah went and sang at the retirement center.  Luke went to Cinemark.  Bradley got to go sing for the Jr. High choirs.  Pretty fun and busy day for everyone!  12-13-16

CHARITY'S 4.0 DINNER
This was Charity's 3rd 4.0!  I am so proud of her!  We started this dinner thing back when I thought it wasn't going to happen too often, but now we're re-thinking it :).  Just kidding.  Charity chose The Habit this time :).  It's such a nice time to spend with her- I'm glad she is still working toward goals and has a plan for her life.  I love that she is so self-motivated and is reaching these successes on her own.  It really is all her!  She does a great job!  Really, we couldn't be more proud of her.  12-13-16

GRANDPA RUSS
Today we were chosen to help drive Russ (and Ruth) to IMC for a couple of routine exams to follow up on his stay there.  We went in thinking it would be an hour or so and that we would go get some lunch at Mimi's Cafe (Grandma Ruthie's choice :) ) afterwards.  Well, about two hours into it, Ruth, Jack, Molly and I were walking through the basement halls of the hospital to get over to the ER where Russ and Nate were.  He'd had some problems with some blood clots and they were getting larger so they wanted him looked at further.  This was SUCH a bummer.  Especially for Ruth.  I felt so bad listening to her talk to Nate on the phone about it.  So another couple hours of sitting in the waiting room later, we headed out to go get everyone some lunch.  Another hour of waiting and we were on our way, leaving Grandma and Grandpa there to fend for themselves, yet again.  It's so hard to have him back in there!  Nate got word when we got home that he was being admitted and was going to be there for at least five days til they get word back about some of his blood tests.  So frustrating.  Poor guy.  And poor Ruth!  I feel so bummed for them.  I really hope that the doctors are just being overly cautious and that things will turn out fine.  He needs to recover and get back to life!  12-15-16

HATCHES
I don't know if I've mentioned yet that the Hatches are officially Utahns again :).  Well, they're in Utah and will be for a month and a half :).  It's been a lot of fun to see them a few times and finally have them back in the picture!  They came over today and we finally got to visit- it's been a while!  I feel so bad that we haven't been able to go over there to see them.  Their kids are so grown up and so much fun to talk to.  I love Savannah!  She gave me the sweetest run up and jump hug when we got here (they'd been waiting for us on the porch) then gave me a big hug and kiss later too!  Such a sweetheart!  I loved it :).  We're all very excited for our Gingerbread house night coming up :).  12-15-16

BRADLEY'S CHOIR CONCERT
We all got to go to Bradley's choir concert tonight.  He got to sing a special ensemble in the first number- did a great job!  I'm so proud of him and all the hard work he's put into this choir.  He hasn't missed a single practice and he's been so good at trying out on his own and making it his.  I've been really impressed.  He did amazing- the choir was amazing- it was a lot of fun to see.  Ms. Wood does an awesome job.  I wish I'd been able to get more pictures- Miss Molly wasn't having the whole sitting in the chair business- we had to stand in the back through most of it.  It's been a lot of fun to see all our new Ponds Park friends though, when we go to school things- I feel like I know a lot more people suddenly.  That's been great!  12-15-16

LAST SUPER PACK MEETING
I'm so relieved to be moving on from the Super Pack.  It was a novel idea, but just wasn't functioning well since the Shadowbrook ward joined.  There are just too many people!!  So we went up to the Layton Lights for our last one together.  It turned out great!  Such a relief with all the stress that went into it.  I'm looking forward to us having our own in the future.  12-15-16

DEACONS BASKETBALL
Bradley's been really enjoying church ball!  He really gets into it and plans how it's going to go.  Tonight he got to play with the Deacons at 7:00 while we were all at Pack Meeting and then again with the Teachers and Priests (at the Last's request) from 8:30-9:30.  That was pretty cool for him :).  12-15-16

ITCHING AND STOMACH ACHES
Some weird little symptoms we've been experiencing lately- Charity, Erika and I have all been having itchy scalps!  No dandruff, no redness, just itchy!  It's been SO VERY ANNOYING!  And poor Erika- it's really been disabling for her!  I feel like I've tried everything.  Different shampoos, dandruff, moisturizing ones, and tea tree oil.  Different conditioners.  Clean pillow cases, more showers!  It's been nuts!!  Nothing is working!  We did get the soft water up and running so I'm hoping that will help a little (assuming it's from the dry air).  We'll see.  If it doesn't, I just ordered some Melaleuca oil from Diane- that should certainly do the trick... right?  Also, Kelly has started back with the stomach aches.  It's been a couple years not so regular pains, and now we're back to everyday.  I wish I knew what to do for her.  She's been taking the probiotic pills.  Doesn't seem to be working as well as before.  I think she needs to go off dairy again for a bit.  Not completely, just the really hard stuff- milk, cheese, and yogurts.  We'll see.  12-15-16

FAST DAY
Our Stake is doing a year long fast- having each family fast for a different day.  We chose December 17th.  Too bad we didn't know it was going to be the same day as our Family party.  Not that it was a huge deal, and fasting is hard no matter what, but it made cooking all the food (Nate did it, not me), and getting things all ready to go just a little harder.  And we were starving by the time the party started.  And grumpy unfortunately.  But let me say that I really LOVED participating in this fast.  It really meant a lot to me and made me feel like I was somehow contributing.  I hope that the Missionary work will grow and that our efforts will be recognized.  I personally keep praying for missionary opportunities.  12-17-16

Things to Remember Week of 12-4-16

SHARING TIME
Stunk it up again.  Better luck next time?  Hopefully?  12-4-16

GRANDPA RUSS AND GRANDMA RUTHIE
Grandma needed a ride home from the hospital Sunday night and we weren't busy, so we volunteered.  We decided to go up a little early so that we could go see Grandpa.  Most of the kids hadn't seen him in a couple months so it was a lot of fun.  And a big surprise at how well he looked and was doing!  I couldn't believe the color in his face and how with it he was.  Very alert- calling the kids over by name- joking around.  It was a lot of fun.  It was great to hear that he will probably be going home on Wednesday or Thursday!  Pretty crazy.  I hope, for Ruth's sake, that he's actually ready to come home :).  But great news!  Molly got unhappy and Jack had just woken up from the drive there, though, so we weren't able to stay real long.  We gave hugs and said goodbye.  It was nice to talk with Ruth on the way to her house.  She sounded really upbeat and mostly excited for him to be coming home.  12-4-16

NOT NOTICEABLE
I spent the ENTIRE day, Monday, cleaning and organizing the house and doing laundry and dishes.  There was nothing else on my schedule and that's ALL I did!!  I was so proud of myself!  I even got things to the point where I was able to put up a bunch of our Christmas decorations/nativites.  I felt so productive!!  But by the time everyone got home and we got busy getting the tree and putting it up- it was almost not noticeable how much work I had done!  It was such a bummer.  I learned that I do this stuff for recognition.  Too bad.  12-5-16

SOCIAL
I think I got a whole month's worth of socializing crammed into 2 days this week.  With meetings for Primary and PTA and then the Relief Society night and Visiting Teaching... UGH!  Kinda crazy.  And probably not the best timing for me emotionally.  But I survived and had a lot of fun.  I don't know why I stress about this stuff so much and let it worry me.  All is well.  12-7-16

GRANDPA RUSS IS GETTIN' OUT
Nate got to go up to the hospital today to take his dad home!  Almost 60 days since his admission.  I can't believe he's been there that long!  We're so glad he's doing well enough to go home though!  This is big!  His kidney is functioning, most of the infection is gone, he's eating, walking, and doing a lot of things on his own.  It's cute to see how excited Ruth is to have him home, setting up the new chair and ottoman, and table in the living room.  Trying to get things all comfy for him.  It's really great!  I'm so glad that he has fought his way through this.  I don't think we could afford to lose our Grandpa right now!  Hopefully he is back to 100% soon.  12-8-16

WARD PARTY
We had our ward party on Saturday evening.  It was a lot of fun.  The Primary Presidency was in charge of a kid craft so we helped the kids make little ornaments with Reindeer thumbprints on them.  They were adorable.  It was a little chaotic with Nate working and me trying to juggle everything myself, but it turned out okay.  I was happy everyone liked my Coconut Lime Chicken soup (Aka: Thai soup). I am starting to feel more comfortable with the new ward.  12-10-16

Journaling from the Kids 12-11-16

Just told them to write about something that's happened in the last month since a lot of it hasn't been documented yet :).

BRADLEY:
This week I had my choir concert.  It was pretty amazing.  I really like to sing in big crowds but I didn't get to sing my solo!  Afterwards we went down to DQ (Dairy Queen).  I got a chocolate dipped ice cream cone.  I loved it.  


LUKE:
One thing that we did this month was set up the Christmas tree.  It was really fun.  I loved getting the christmas tree because me and Jack were staying in the car and Jack wanted me to open the window, but I said "no."  He asked "why?"  I said "because".  He said "Shy because."  I said "cause" then he said "what?" then I said "because" then he said "why" because then I said "what?" Then the cycle went over and over like 5 times.  Then when we got home we set it up and got the lights on and we took a picture of all of us holding our odaments.  Then we decorated the tree.  I had all of the ordaments that I ever on next to each other so I knew which ones were mine.
This month I also had two late nights.  One with trenten and one with clint.  The one with trenten was really fun first Dad took trenten and I to the store.  I picked out four treats.  Trenten brought 3 dollars so he could only get 2 treats (because of tax).  So I made him let me get him 2 more treats.  We watched the movie pattington.  (It's was fun because we kept guessing what was going to happen next.  When me and clint did it Dad took us to the store this time we got 2 treats.  We watched elf.  When the movie ended his mom was at the door.  Also this month me, Brad, Noah, and Bridger (Brads friend) went to boondocks.  It was so fun.  First we did a couple games.  Then brad and Noah all ran out.  but brad still had money left in his pocket.  We all used that card then that card ran out.  Bridger thought he ran out.  So he went to see how much money he had dleft.  He actually had 37 dollars left.  So all we did was do monster drop.  We got like six jackpots with four in a row.  Bridger did a giant claw machine with his balls in it a lady in front of us went but did not do it we let her do it again.  She got it in the claw then right before it went in the hole it fell.  Then we let her do it one more time she finally did it.  Then it was bridgers turn.  He got it on his first try.  Then we went and got some stuff I got 7 suckers and bridger gave me a ball.  Brad got all of us a [can't read Luke's chicken scratchings].

ERIKA:
Erika maynes :)
on November 10th I had my birthday.  I turnd seven I went swimming with my family.  But the day before my grandpa gave me some lagos for my birthday.  all of the presents I got wrear amazing!  I got chak I got more lagos.  I got a baskit.  I got my owne baskikball.  I got crayons and markrs.  On friday me and my mom went on a date to pante sramiks.  I panted a Elephant.  We went to dinner at ihop.

KELLY:
Kelly M. ... Journaling... 12.11.16
On Fall break we went to see Moana!  It was seriously one of the cutest, most amazing movies on the planet!  Before the movie we went to dollar tree and got treats to "sneak" into the theater.  Hopefully we're not the only ones who do it :)  Then we went to the Cinemark in Bountiful  I really prefer going to that theater over teh Kaysville Theater because it brings back lots of memories even though it does cost more :).  Anyways, so Moana was a really fun movie to see!  It's a lot odifferent than most Disney movies.  Me and Hannah said that I'm the pig and she's the chicken! :)  I loved to watch Jacks reactions to the funny stuff the chickens do.  He got pretty scared by the Lava monster which was pretty funny to watch his face :).  Over all I think we all really enjoyed it!  I loe how she can still be a princess but not have to have a "prince".  And I soooo wish that I had her perfect skin and eyebrows! :)  Oh! and me and charity absolutely LOVE the songs in that movie.  We have almost all of them memorized!  One of my favorites is the song "Shiny".  It's a really, interesting, song :)  I think it would be really cool if me, Kara, Hannah, and Charity all played a song from that movie on our ukulele's in the school talent show!  Since I just got a new yellow ukulele which is awesome!  I'm really excited to get to play with it.

CHARITY:
Charity Maynes 12/11/16 Journaling
Today, I got a new calling!!  I am now the 1st councelor in the Miamaid presidency.  I am really excited for this opportunity to reach out to those in need.  and those miamaids that aren't active.  TOday as a Miamaid presidency (Jasmin; Pres., Whitney; 2nd Coun, Savanna; secretary) we went to Jasmin's house and made cookies and cards for the inactive or less-active girls and delievered them.  It was really fun and I had a blast getting to know the girls.  I am excited to be there for them and help them :)  I'm really grateful that I have the opportunity to serve others and my Heavenly Father.
Something really funny that happened to me today was watching Molly get kisses from Buddy.  It was so funny watching her giggles and throw her head back.
Something in my blessing that was really cool was that i was told that I would have time to do my calling and all my school stuff and that I would do well in school.  That was really cool to hear since I've been stressing about school for the last few days.  That's all :)

NOAH:
We put the christmas tree up and had alot of fun.  We put the christmas tree up for family night and someone stole the tree we wanted so we got a difrent tree.  then we put the ornaments on the tree


I found some more journal entries I never put in, I'm just going to put them here.

LUKE:
One of my favorate christmas memories are the Christmas Eve dad had to work the mid.  So on Christmas morning We woke everyone up.  But Dad was still not home.  and we are not supposed to open our stockings until everyones awake and in the family room. and when we wake up in the morning we looke and see our stokings over flowing.  Mom called Dad literaly almost 20 times when Dad FINALY got home he said he was sleeping at work

KELLY:
Sunday 11-27-16  Jouurnaling  Kelly M
I couldn't pick a favorite but one of my favorite christmas memories is when we all wake up super early, open our stockings, eat breakfast, then sit down by the tree to open our presents.  We always go youngest to oldest and open them up.  IT's my favorite thing to see people's reactions when they tear off the paper and see what they got.  They have a huge smile on their face!  I also love how we stay up super late listening to see if we can hear santa and his reindeer on the roof.  Then we'd wake up super early and run downstairs (or upstairs) to see what presents we got.  And even though mom would tell us not to, we would shake them to see if we could guess what they were.  My last favorite memory is ( actually it's two) when we go to dads work and get to see where he's [Santa] flying and then we get to talk to him and tell him what we want.  And then when we got home from Christmas Eve at Grandpa's house, mom would give all of us our Christmas pajama's.  They are always so comfortable and I love this part of Christmas!

CHARITY:
11/27/16
I have lots of Christmas memories.  One of them is the time we did the Polar Express ride and got hot chocolate during the night.  The thing that makes that the most memorable was that I had to pee SO bad!  It was almost a sad ending but luckily I made it to the bathroom in time.
Another memory I have was that same year on Christmas Eve, we all slept together on the floor in the boys' room in the basement.  It was really fun because we all were talking to each other about waht we wanted Santa to bring us and if we heard him on the roof and stuff like that.
Christmas is just really fun and I love the memories that we make every year.

Putting up Christmas (I still can't remember who started calling it that...)

(side note (if you can have side notes at the beginning): Charity and Kelly have a new found hobby in playing the ukulele.  It's been sitting in the top of their closet for years!  I'm so glad Charity got it out and re-taught herself!  Kelly's figuring it out too- so much fun!!)

So I'm not sure why it was so quick and easy, but picking out or tree didn't take near as long as usual.  We went down to Harmons since Costco's were gone (why was everyone so quick this year?).  WE walked up to the trees, walked up and down the aisles, and then settled on one right away!  We ALL agreed on it.  Then Nate ran into the store to get something to tie it down with, and came back and we had all decided on a different one :).  They were VERY similar :). Nate and the "produce guy" tied it onto the car, and we were on our way!  I don't know that that has ever happened.  I really love our tree though!  It was super cheap too, which is a total bonus.   

Traditional picture of everyone holding their "first Christmas ornament"s from Grandma Hatch.  They LOVE their ornaments, very special.

I got Nate to be the camera-man this year.  Thankfully we have my Dad's flash.  

Kelly wanted a posed candid shot :)

Luke is very particular.  Doesn't like to put up just any ol' ornament- he's very selective.  And I think it's safe to say he has the most homemade ones with cute pictures of himself over the years.  Not sure why that is- he just got the right teachers I guess :).

Erika is a joy during this :).  So sweet to everyone and helping out with Molly and Jack.  The younger four just don't have near as many as the older four.  We might have to do something about that this year.

This was a fun year for Jack Jack!  I don't remember him enjoying this as much as he did this year.  Maybe that's just my memory.  He loved it.  And loved helping Molly love it too.  He keeps having to readjust them during the day when Molly removes the lower ones.  He's such a cute helper.

Noah was all business as well.  But not as picky about what he hung up :).  They are all just so sweet and have so much fun talking about them and listening to my stories about Grandma Mottishaw's tree and mine growing up- we have several generations of ornaments now :).

Charity was so good to help with Molly so much and made it so the little kids got to do most of it.  She and Kelly are in that stage where they love the traditions, but don't have to have their hands in everything.  Lots of fun to watch their sibs too.  It was fun to notice her "y" at the end of her name on several ornaments looked more like an "S" because of a new handwriting she had been trying out when she was little :).  Funny stuff.

Kelly had fun too- I loved laughing with her and joking about some of the funny ornaments.  It's so fun to look back on the things they made and think about how far they've come!

Molly seemed to enjoy herself for the most part.  She doesn't love being the one that will possibly break everything.  She would rather have free reign with everything :).  She really seems ready (mentally) to be one of the big kids- we've just got to get her body there :).

The top of our tree looks so funny in these pictures, I just don't notice it in person :).

Nate had to be in at least one picture, so we let him put up HIS ornament he got from his Aunt's house when he was little :).  I love the sentiment of Christmas so much!

Bradley pretty tired that night, but he was also very anxious to do the honors of putting the angel on the tree- it was his year!  We all joked around about Nate lifting him up and then he was just barely too short to do it on his own, so sure enough...

I was dying laughing while taking these because Bradley was trash talking Nate about him being a weakling and stuff WHILE he's trying to lift Bradley up... SO FUNNY!

There's still a little big of little Bradley left in this kid, I can still see it :).  It's fading, but it's there.  We can't get over how Bradley will be 20 the next time he puts the angel on the tree!!  

And WHY have I not made our Blue Angel yet?!!!!!!!  IT'S BEEN 16 YEARS!!!!!

Need to make my tree skirt too... it's been about 10 years that I've been saying that....

The holiday specs

We need a picture of the stockings... I put them on the banisters this year... we'll see how we like that. 

I just love the feel of the Christmas season and this year has felt like it started way sooner and is lasting longer than usual.  In a really good way.  I'm so excited for all our family traditions.  Speaking of- I asked the kids which things they were looking forward to most, so that I can be sure and focus on the things they like and look forward to, and these are the ones they mentioned:

Suburban Express

Opening stockings first thing on Christmas morning (this one is really important to Luke especially)

All the kids sleeping in the big boys' room Christmas Eve

Mazes in the snow in the backyard

Seeing the lights at temple square and Christmas Street and using the holiday specs

Grandpa's house for Christmas Eve

Playing in the snow

Decorating the Tree

So pretty easy list if you ask me :).  I love how easy they are to please.  I think we'll still throw in a few other things- all of my favorites basically :).