CHRISTMAS 2011

Christmas this year was magical. We did fun scripture activities the 2 weeks leading up to Christmas eve to help the kids understand the reason for the season. We also did a gingerbread house again this year. Ben was too sick to help build it, but I did get some pictures. I constructed the house and the kids decorated it and then ate it as soon as I was done taking pictures. (reminder for next year: the kids don't like gingerbread, so just buy the pre-made stuff or use graham crackers-not the homemade yummy stuff.)
What is it about ribbon candy that I find so appealing? Something about it says "Christmas" to me.

We felt bad Ben didn't get to help with the gingerbread house so we made sweet rolls for FHE.
Christmas Eve was magnificent. We LOVED having the whole Findlay family over for a lunch time bash. It was wonderful to have the space and take our turn hosting. (Though our house WAS a little crowded with so many family members.) It was fun to let the cousins play. The women skipped out and went to John and Misa's to make lotion and lip gloss. That night, we let the kids open their pj's and then the excitement really began when we took pictures. We read the story from Luke and then watched parts of the new church movie. The kids kept asking to watch more. Then they went to bed. They actually fell asleep really fast and all slept through the night. We would have slept well too, but stayed up late to finish projects. One of which was a super cape for Liam with a big L on it. It was worth staying up to finish it.
As I was heading down to take some pre-present pictures, I noticed the manger scene and thought that it was a good indication of things to come...
This was our attempt at reminding the kids to stay downstairs with their stockings until we were ready for them to come up. I think most of them had a good look before we got up though. (Jane did come in at 4 and ask if it was 6 yet.)
release the hounds...
One day during vacation, we took a trip up to the Logan temple and told our kids how important temples are to us. They had a lot of fun getting out and running around outside together.
Following Elder Cook's instruction to "Look UP"
We also really enjoyed going down to Orem while Daddy worked at UVU and we stayed at Grandma's house. We stopped at Grandma Findlay's on the way and Jason and I were able to go to the temple. It was SO peaceful and we got a lot of good pondering done and took the time to slow down a little during the busy holiday. The kids watched lots of movies and played with their old friends at Grandma Tregaskis's house. (Natalie came rushing up the stairs when she learned that "her Elsie" was there. They shared the sweetest little 3-year-old hug ever.) When we got home, we got to have Jake and Leslie and their kids stay with us for a night. WE LOVE COUSINS!
Such sweet girls! I'm so mad I didn't get a picture of our new niece, Agnes. But she was adorable and put up with me wanting cuddles.
The boys spent the morning in their pj's watching movies and playing nintendo. They played outside a lot too, which I was really grateful for.
We also had a great time at the Findlay white elephant party. There was a fun talent show (which my kids barely saw while they ran around) and the yummiest dinner and white elephants, of course. James and Erin had everything set up and even did a photo shoot. I'm hoping to get copies to put on the blog later. As you can see, Jason ended up with the grand prize-a 5 POUND BOX OF CHOCOLATES. This thing is massive. I'm ashamed to say we have put a HUGE dent in it.