Geo worked Christmas Eve (we're really missing the Air Force holiday time!!!) so it was up to me and the crew to get the house put together. I told them if we got it finished by lunch time, I'd take them on an outing. And what do you know, they worked like Santa's elves! I was in shock! My kids really DO know how to work hard and fast. Plus they know how help each other and be kind. The house looked better than it has since we moved in!
So after lunch, we went to the
Treehouse Museum in Ogden. This was the first time we'd visited and it was great fun. It's across the street from Ogden's reconstructed LDS temple. It's not finished, but wow! Doesn't it look great?!? Much better than the '70's birthday cake version.
In addition to the regular activities, they also had Christmas chalk art, cookies, and the great chimney/stuff the stocking race. Santa even stopped by for Q&A! Lucy still laughs at his answer to "What kind of cookies are you favorite?" and I loved the "What time should I be in bed?" question. :)
Chris, Benji and the parents joined us for the evening festivities. We had soup in a breadbowl (from Kneaders :) and shrimp, pistachio, sweet potato salad (idea from Plates and Palates). YUMMY!
And then... it was time for the 1st annual Christmas Eve talent show. My friend Emily does this every year, so I thought we'd give it a go. We had a "dancing bear" by Cole, "Angels Among Us" by Lucy, juggling by Benji and Chris, "Milton the Dancing Christmas Mouse" by Elise (with somersault), and a great poem by Geo. Somehow we didn't get Austin's bat hang (with bat facts), my ukulele "Jingle Bells", or Erik's darling smile on camera. However, the show stealers were definitely my parents! They said they were going to paint like grandma Barbara used to. We were all blown away, especially the kids! They painted with the board upside down, but even before it was flipped Cole shouted out "It's Jesus!" Nice job, folks!
We usually do the sibling gifts on Christmas Eve so they don't get lost in the chaos of the next morning. It is one of my favorite things. Lucy especially wraps all month long, making things or finding something of her's to give away. This year she gave erasers to the uncles, masking tape to the grandparents, and a fridge magnet to Natalie and Jake (all given at different parties). The siblings were given various things. One of my favorite things were the little scarves she made from fleece (cut the fringe) and the head scarf for me and the doll tablecloth for Elise.
Elise and I sat down at the computer and she chose little games to print for all the kids. She spent quite a bit of time cutting out pieces, etc. And she made one for herself as well. :)
Lucy's scroll for her dad.
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| Wrapping up the finished products |
Austin made fortune tellers. I helped him fold and he drew pictures and told me what to write. So cute!
(Aunty Lacey's idea... thanks!)
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| Elise's inside |
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| Lucy's outside |
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| Lucy's inside |
We read Luke 2. Chris the donkey gave everyone a ride. And we called it a night. The brothers and parents slept at a hotel in Ogden and came back in the late morning to see the fun.
Geo and I got to bed at 12:30. And then the creatures started stirring...
After two hours of sleep, Erik woke up wailing and wouldn't settle down (found out in the morning he was cutting his first tooth). Half hour after that, a child woke up because they'd wet the bed. Then another half hour and it was Cole with a fever and throwing up. It was two hours of crying children and laundry and disgustingness. Holy mole-y. So much for the "long winter's nap." :)
Thanksgiving Eve at Luminaria (Thanksgiving Point)! First time and it was really cool. (a little pricey, so I'm not sure this will be a yearly tradition, but fun to go occasionally). (Elise was in a bit of a pout this day, so she's sorta missing from pics.) I love how you can end with the statues of Jesus garden.
We were feeling a bit stir crazy one Saturday night so we ventured out to Ogden to see their Christmas light display. We got there around 5 or 6 ish and it was a beautiful night. We took a little train ride, looked in the cute little houses all decorated up fancy, and listened to a story teller... and then... lots of tears. The kids were sobbing because it was cold and they wanted donuts and a potty and whatever else. We had to leave without seeing the other half of the display, but did stop at Dunkin' Donuts for a little treat (it was warm there :)
In addition to the regular activities, they also had Christmas chalk art, cookies, and the great chimney/stuff the stocking race. Santa even stopped by for Q&A! Lucy still laughs at his answer to "What kind of cookies are you favorite?" and I loved the "What time should I be in bed?" question. :)
We usually do the sibling gifts on Christmas Eve so they don't get lost in the chaos of the next morning. It is one of my favorite things. Lucy especially wraps all month long, making things or finding something of her's to give away. This year she gave erasers to the uncles, masking tape to the grandparents, and a fridge magnet to Natalie and Jake (all given at different parties). The siblings were given various things. One of my favorite things were the little scarves she made from fleece (cut the fringe) and the head scarf for me and the doll tablecloth for Elise.
