December '13

December is perfect park weather! 

We have been park hunting all over. This one was during Sarah's orchestra practice.

 

The holiday concert at the Marriot was a little chaotic. There were M&M's in a complementary help yourself distributor that made quite a mess with so many kids on the loose.

The youth put together gifts for the returning members of Family Proclamations, conference talks, goodies and invites to the ward Christmas party. 

We went suit shopping and Adam really enjoyed the mirrors. 

On the way home we drove past our neighbor's who has a light display with characters in their giant yard. Our tradition is to let the kids ride in the back of the station wagon during the event.

While doing laundry Rachel couldn't find any hangers for her clothes. I suggested she open a Christmas present early. She was very surprised, it was meant to be kind of a joke gift. 

On the week of Christmas we began making our own gingerbread house from scratch. 

We worked on it all week,

adding Necco roofing tiles, 

even a gingerbread kid lifting marshmallow weights in the front yard, 

and a suspension bridge and train in the backyard.

Adam playing a very "Uncle Ross" game of sending his bears down the zipline he made. 

Cowabunga! 

Crazy boy!

On Christmas Eve we took a nice bike ride through the neighbor's display. 

It really looks different in the daytime. 

Zoom! 

We biked over to the park for fun. 

On the way home we said hi to blow up Santa. 

The Christmas Eve feast. 

The traditional kids by the Christmas tree on Christmas Eve picture. 

Santa came with framed diploma and bar certificate for Mom and Dad

and luggage and toys for the kids to go to grandparents houses. 

What did Santa bring?

Come see!

Distributing the gifts. 

Breakfast, for once we didn't just eat chocolate from our stockings!

What fun! 

After getting dressed we headed to the park to fly the little airplanes Santa brought us, 

and Adam tried out his new roller blades from Rachel.

Then we had a Lego-fest and I put together all my old-school Fabuland Legos.  Ah memories of childhood.

Happy Birthday Dad! He got new church shoes and case study law books... even though he is done with classes and studying...these are for recreational reading.

Adam is very excited here because he knows it is time to party for Dad and then pack for Utah! 

Boy does this kid love to pack!