Christmas 2014

We had a great Christmas this year full of fun traditions and family.

Here are the kids' letters to Santa:

Mason asked Santa to write his name on his letter in English and cursive. Because, you know, only the real Santa would know how to write in both English and cursive.

 The Sunday before Christmas we went to my parent's house to celebrate all together.

 

  
On Christmas Eve all of Jeff's family on his mom's side came to our house for dinner and a Christmas gift exchange. After most everyone left, we opened our Christmas Eve pjs and left milk and cookies for Santa.

On Christmas we woke up around 7:30 to find that Santa had indeed come. He ate the cookies and fudge, drank the milk, and signed not only Mason's letter, but each of the kids' letters. Our kids have not figured out that other kids wake up really early to open presents.

 

The girls got a new kitchen for Christmas. They didn't really know what to think of it at first because there weren't any pictures on the box, but once we got it put together (a 4 hour process), they loved it!

And the boys got a new outdoor basketball hoop.

After that Jeff's parents came over for breakfast. We made chocolate cake waffles (yummy!) then opened presents with them. In the afternoon we went and visited Jeff's grandma Borders. We came back to our house for Christmas dinner. Phew! I am tired just thinking about all the fun and festivities.

 

Santa Express and Visiting Santa

 We had a tradition in our family to got to Santa Express and let the kids pick out Christmas presents for one another. I love this tradition. Not only does it allow our kids to think about someone other than themselves and giving instead of receiving, it also benefits a local crisis nursery.

Another tradition is to visit Santa when he comes around with the firefighters every year.

 

THIS right here is probably my favorite tradition.....seeing each of our toddlers scream when they get close to the big jolly guy.

Transitioning to a BIG girl bed...

It all started two frightful nights ago.... Jeff was gone, I had just said good night to Shiloh and Kinley, and was in with Mason and Cooper reading scriptures. Shiloh came running in and informed me that Kinley was downstairs! What? How'd she get out of her bed? 

I walked out of the boys' room and saw Kinley making her way back up the stairs. "Hi mom!"

I scooped her up and put her back in her bed. 

That whole night I slept very lightly, listening to see if she got out again. She didn't. The next morning she got out by herself, so I put her back in and shot this video to see just how skilled she was.

Someone is super excited to sleep in a "big girl" bed.

Winter Extravaganza Concert-Night Two

Mason's Winter Extravaganza Concert was last night. He was one tired dude after two nights of performing!

 Cooper was happy to be in the audience cheering his brother on instead of performing.

 Mason with his best friend, Brennen

Winter Extravaganza Concert-Night One

Wednesday night was a busy night in our house. Cooper had his Winter Extravaganza Concert at 7pm at our elementary school. Mason also had an Orchestra Concert that night at 7pm at the high school (See next post) So we split up, Jeff and Kinley went to Cooper's concert and Shiloh, Grandma Borders, and I went to Mason's concert.

Orchestra Concert

Mason had his very first Orchestra concert on Wed. December 10th. He did a great job as did the rest of the beginning orchestra class!

An Early Christmas

 My mom came to visit over Thanksgiving. She was able to stay for two weeks. While she was here, she bought Christmas presents for all the kids and they were able to have an early Christmas celebration while she was here.