Temple Square

This is our most favorite holiday tradition.  We have made it every year - despite the cold and the crowds.  One year it was even snowing.  The last 2 years we have gone to dinner after, that is the best part - we don't ever go out to dinner as a family, it is fun to do it every once in a while.

 

 

 

Trying to figure out how to get them all around was a feat this year.  I usually have a baby inside my coat in a wrap - I didn't want to take the huge stroller because of the crowds - but Mads thinks she is too big for a stroller - so it was a little of this and a little of that... as far as our mode of transportation was concerned. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We stopped to watch the nativity.  They were enthralled - that is actually why they wanted to come to temple square was to see baby Jesus.

 

 

The last 2 years we have gotten a family picture by this tree.  I think I have decided to make it a tradition.  My kids remember every year and when they see it they say, "lets take our picture".  (click and click to see) 

 

 

 

 

 

Santa Party

My grandmother had her annual Santa party a few weeks ago.  Santa comes and all the kids sit on his lap and he gives them a present. 

My mom bought all her grandkids the cutest Christmas outfits and they all wore them to the party.  Here are the boys in their sweaters.

 

Megan was in one of her "moods" right at the beginning of the party.  I thought for SURE she would not sit on Santa's lap and would just cry the whole time.  The moment Santa walked into the room her whole mood changed - she scooted right off my lap and went and stood right at his feet.  Luckily, she was the first one called and she got to get right on his lap.

Unfortunately, my camera was not ready for one of my children to be first - so I didn't get a picture until she got off - but she was very happy the whole time and asked for a "Jake and the Neverland Pirates Puzzle".

Mads was next and she was just as happy to be on Santa's lap (I think she would be happy doing anything with that candy cane).  She did not ask Santa for anything - mainly because she does not talk yet.  But I told Santa she wanted a squishy ball.

 

Brock asked for a "Red Power Ranger Sword".

 

Noah asked for "Samuel Stread" - he is an Imaginext character.

 

 

This night Madison's hair was finally able to fit into pig tails - SO CUTE!

 

My kids hung out on other people's lap all night watching all the other kids take their turn.  This is Noah with my uncle Jeff.

 

Brock and his aunt Ashley.

 

My mom and Mads.

 

Me with Megs

 

My girls:

 

We had a great night and it really helped us get ready for Christmas!

Aquarium

We went to the Aquarium while Brock was off track.  In their pond you used to be able to pet sting ray - now they have all sorts of fish you can pet - including sharks!  Super cool - my kids were so excited to pet a shark.

Sledding

Our family went sledding for the first time on Saturday.  It is kind of sad that Brock is 5 and has never been - but... we just never got around to buying sleds and going.  Last year I got these on clearance in April - so now we were ready.

The boys loved it.  It was snowing when we went - but not too cold.  None of the children ever complained about it being too cold - they have been so great this year!  I had this really negative view of what sledding would be like.  I thought they would whine about the cold, or if they fell and got snow on their face, or not want to bring their sleds up the hill... etc  I guess that is why I have been avoiding it.  Boy was I wrong.  They all brought their own sleds  up the hill everytime and never ONCE complained about the cold or the snow.  The boys could have done it for hours (the girls were done after about 30 minutes).

 

Megs hauling her sled up the hill.
 

In fact the only fight we had was that we only had 3 sleds but 4 children - Mads wanted to go down the hill everytime. 
 

But sometimes Jason helped them carry their sleds up :)

Ginger Breaad Houses

Elves

We went to Gardner Villiage to look at the elves one afternoon.

 

This little missy is about the cutes thing ever!  Right??

 

Christmas Card outtakes

At the end of our Christmas card I said it was 1 pictures out of 300 - I wasn't really exaggerating.  I wanted one of just them on an outing - but I couldn't get it.  So everyday I did a "photo shoot" right after  they got dressed.  Here are some of the best/funniest of the week we took pictures.

This picture was a close second.

 

 

I actually love the next four pictures. This day was our best day of pictures - almost all the contenders came from this day.