Christmas Morning

This Christmas was very special for our little family, for several reasons. The first and most exciting reason is that it will be our Last Christmas in our 2 Bedroom Apartment. We have shared 8 wonderful Christmas' here and enjoyed each (crowded) one.  Another reason is that it was nice to take the time through out the Season and share with Lizzie and Trevor the reason we celebrate this Special Holiday. Every time we saw a Nativity I would ask them about it, and they were excited that they were able to celebrate his birth. Things are so simple in a child's mind, its very refreshing sometimes.

Like so many others Im sure, This is how our Morning went. 

Woken up by children--really early, make them eat breakfast (Im sure Im not the only one who does this right?), Read the story of Christmas from the Scriptures, then open gifts, play with toys, get dressed, then visit with family (one of my favorite parts).

Here is Lizzie with her Dollhouse and Princess Barbies. Todd and Jack (a general contractor) whipped this house out in one day. It turned out better than I could have imagined.

 Thanks Gram-me and Aunt Meli for helping me decorate it.

This kid was so excited to get a Thomas Discovery Train Set. Seriously, it was the only thing he had asked for, over and over and over again. It made it easy to shop for him, for once.

'Tis the Season

We are having such a fun Holiday. Here are some things we enjoyed.

Our neighbor Anne made this really cool train for us. Lizzie is in Candy Heaven. She snacked on it all Christmas Eve and Day. We had some serious Sugar Rush at Gram-me's!

These are the treats we made for friends and neighbors. We baked different types of sweet breads in tin cans. Then decorated them. Don't be a hater, but I love Martha Stewart :)

We were so excited that Uncle Greg flew down to share the Holiday with us. We visited the Mission Inn in Riverside with the Ballantynes. I've never been there before. It was really beautiful. 

This was the huge tree inside the Inn. So warm and cheery.

Christmas Time is Here

This is everyones favorite party of the year. Everything is so festive. Look at all those stockings hung by the chimney with care. I love it!

Look at all those tiny reindeer.

Trevor waited so patiently for his turn with Santa. He just couldn't wait to ask Santa for a Thomas Discovery Train Set.

Reindeer Lizzie was very excited about making a wait chain.

It was so nice of Santa to take time away from his very busy schedule to visit with the children. What did Lizzie ask for? Barbie Princesses, I think Santa could manage that. Now for the kid who asked for a motorcycle and quad, Ummm?

A Thanksgiving Feast

Holidays are so fun at school. 

Here is Lizzie and her friend Olivia enjoying the feast. Well at least Lizzie is pretending to enjoy it. One day I hope she will start eating.

Here we are marching around the classroom with our drums and headbands.

 Oops we forgot to wear our vests. 

Trevor's class is dressed and ready to go on their march.

That is one happy pilgrim. 

Growing Up.

Here is Tristan and Maggie. They are almost 4 months old. Tristan is growing like a weed.

"When I think of Jesus, it make me feel Happy"

On Sunday's when we get to church the first thing Lizzie likes to do is get the program for us. Then she looks through it to see how long it is. Today as she was going through it, she pointed to the words "Bearing of  Testimonies".  She then asked me what that meant and I told her it is when you go up to the podium and tell people how we feel about Jesus and his gospel. In which she responded: "I want to do that." My heart just swelled. Then I told her daddy would love to go up with her :).  It was a sweet and simple little testimony. She is really beginning to grow up fast. I love you Miss Liz!

Redlands 2nd Ward Pancake Breakfast

This morning we headed out to the church for our Christmas Pancake Breakfast with the ward. I thought: Wow this is great, my kids will actually eat pancakes. So when I see that they made french toast instead I knew I would have to figure out a way to keep my kids from freaking out. Well I just called them "Bread Pancakes" and that seemed to do the trick. Whew!  After breakfast Bishop Strong entertained the kids with a great game of Reindeer, Reindeer, Elf, the Christmas version of duck, duck, goose. Then we listened to the Nativity story and sand songs. Then it was time to visit with "you know who". The kids were so excited to see Santa. All Trevor wanted to do was to ask him for a Thomas Discovery Train Set. This year is so much fun. I love to see their simple belief and trust in Santa. To know he truly exists in the hearts and minds of children just makes me smile. To be a kid again.

Do you believe? We do!

Cora, our pro walker now.

Singing songs with Sister Strong.

The Christmas Parade

This year we attended the Redlands Christmas Parade on State Street. I didn't even know such an event even existed. The Ririe's told us about it and the kids really wanted to go, so we bundled up and headed out. It was very cute and fun. Lizzie saw some school friends, and the Coon family made their appearance on the Burgeson's float. It was long, but we had a great time.

Scotty was nice enough to act as a pillow for the kids.

We met up with the Walters and the Riries. 

Practicing For Christmas Morning

This is what I found Cora playing with earlier today when I wasn't paying enough attention to her. Looks like she is preparing herself for Christmas morning. I think she will be able to open her gifts without any help at all. 

Nutcracker Ballet

Today we got all dressed up and headed out with friends and classmates to the Nutcracker Ballet. We made it through the entire performance, with Trevor chatting the whole time. All of a sudden he has become a total chatterbox. We were able to sit in the front by percussion section. It was fun to watch them jump every time they clanged the symbols. They were also able to see a beautiful harp up close. It was nice to spend some special time with my two older children. It doesn't happen often enough.

Applicious

So Lizzie and Trevor do A Lot of art work at school, and all of it is cute and creative. But this little tree is my absolute favorite, so I had to share it you. These will now decorate my table every Fall.