Christmas day

The kids said they were waking us up VERY early to open presents. Of course we told them they couldn't wake us up if there were no presents under the tree. That is when they threatened to move to Africa if there weren't. Although we were tempted to return everything we wrapped the presents and put them under the tree. I woke up at about 7:15 and looked out the door. No one had come to wake us up. Then found the kids waiting patiently on the couch. Sure they were plotting how to "accidentally" wake us up.

Dad with is new router. Not the kind that goes to the computer and the one that didn't come with bits!

D actually cracked a smile with this one

K contemplating an outfit

R finally new shoes smile

L so happy even with the socks that were in the bag

H having trouble unwrapping but re-packed everything anyway!

Christmas cooking

This year three of the kids had to take cookies to class before Christmas break. So Mike pulled out his moms recipe and started making dough. We had to do this two times because the first time cookies were made they all went to school. We made some on Christmas Eve and everyone got to decorate and actually eat some cookies.




























As we were coming to an end of the cookie mess Mike decided to give the kids a little competition. WHO CAN DECORATE THE BEST COOKIE? Knowing all of our kids this was a challenge. They are all competitive (wonder where they get that from) and did some creative decorating.










The cookies turned out great, we didn't save any for friends and neighbors but still working on that. We are hoping to make something yummy for New Years Eve.

This is a picture of me making the traditional Christmas Eve dinner of cannelloni, although the family claims I only make it once a year. Good news is I didn't forget to add the water this time. Mike decided to take a picture. NOT my favorite thing and it is amazing that it even made it to the computer let a lone the blog. But figured even though I was in charming attire with no make up on, someday this may be my good picture. :-(

HOLIDAY SPIRIT

Our house is finally getting decorated for the holiday. We have attended a Creche display at our church. There were over 200 different Nativity scenes on display. They also had some beautiful music throughout the open house. We were able to get there during the hand bells. It was beautiful and really great to hear, that still didn't get us in the mood to decorate though.


This weekend we had a Christmas program and dinner at church. Someone went into amazing detail with the menu and was able to feed a lot of families. Reid was Joseph, Laura an Angel and Haley one of the stable animals in the Nativity scene. The primary children sang along with other musical numbers from members in the ward. I was excited to be there until they asked me to say the closing prayer. Mike graciously answered for me and said I would love to! Yes, he is still alive.


After we left the church Mike said he had an idea. He drove to walmart where I was sure he was buying more peppermint ice cream since the kids finished it all in less then 24 hours. But whatever he got was put in the back of the suburban. He just kept driving. We drove all the way downtown then got back on the freeway as if we were coming home. Then he quickly stopped on the ramp to the freeway. We were all puzzled; then as he was getting out of the car he said David give me a hand. They both jumped out of the car opened the back of the truck and started walking into the bushes. So being me I jumped out shut the back doors (in case we had to drive off fast) and watched as they walked into the darkness with some boxes in their arms. When they got back into the truck we found out they had delivered some food, water and candy canes to a homeless camp that is near the downtown area. This started a huge discussion that eventually brought us to the true meaning of Christmas. It also helped bring the holiday spirit into our home. We had piddled around with some decorations but finally everyone was ready to really decorate.

My birthday

For my birthday Mike did a wonderful thing. He took all of us to dinner at PF Changs. He was sure it would cause us to have to take a second mortgage on the house but it really wasn't that bad. We went to this same PF Changs five years ago on my birthday and the kids have never let us forget they didn't get to go. So this time the kids and dad got to go with us. Dad coming with us was a huge deal to me because my dad doesn't usually go out to eat at restaurants.

When we got home there was a mint chocolate cake and peppermint icecream. The icecream comes out this time of year and my mom use to tell me that it came out for my birthday. Not sure why I believed that as a child but it was a good story.

The kids all made me presents and had great notes with the gifts. The best gift was having them all go to dinner and the looks on their faces when I opened what they so carefully wrapped either in Christmas paper or construction paper. We recently got a king size bed so my big present was a new comforter set. If anyone knows me matching is HUGE for me. Plus I've had my eye on this set for a while. It looks great in our room and adds the right colors to the mocha walls. This has got to be one of the best birthdays ever. Thanks to all the friends that remembered and to my family for making it such a special day!