MERRY CHRISTMAS!

(Christmas morning!  Aidan was really excited can you tell? :))

I just wanted to wish you all a Merry Christmas! I hope you are all having a fun filled day with good eats and lots of smiles and laughter. We have had a great day despite Max coming down with the flu. (I am still trying to figure out if it is because of all the candy and sweets he's had the past couple of days or if it is the flu. I am pushing for the candy and sweets because the flu is not on my agenda for this next week. :)) But, he has still managed to play to his hearts content with the fun things Santa brought him for Christmas. Laney and Aidan have had a great day as well. We spent all day yesterday cooking to prepare for today and the next couple of days. We cooked up delicious pozole and taquitos; our Christmas Eve tradition. Lemuel always does a fantastic job of cooking. The meal was great and the program was good too. We read some of my favorite Christmas stories, watched the first presidency Christmas devotional, sang songs, read and reenacted the birth of our Saviour and then opened up a present of new pajamas!  I even made cinnamon rolls and hot chocolate for dessert last night. It was a wonderful evening. 

Last night I warned the kids that they couldn't come into our room until at least 6:30. Despite Laney waking up at 3:45 AM she didn't wake Max up until 7:00!  I had to wake Aidan up. He probably would have slept for another hour if we let him. But once Laney mentioned Santa and presents, he was wide awake!  

We opened gifts and had a a big breakfast, then played and napped and just enjoyed each others company!  We have felt so blessed this holiday season to all be healthy and happy. I hope you all have had a memorable day and remember the reason for this wonderful holiday season!  We love you all!  Merry Christmas!

Temple Trip

Last Saturday we had an amazing day.  Our ward planned a big temple trip to the Los Angeles temple. The youth and some pretty incredible moms babysat about 30 kids at the temple apartments so that those who wanted could attend the temple. They had crafts, games, movies, toys, and lunch all prepared for the kids. We were lucky enough to fit in a temple sealing for a lady in our ward who was sealed to her husband (who passed away 2 years ago) and son, as well as do an endowment session. It was such an amazing uplifting 3 hours. We came out of the temple to the grounds covered in Christmas lights!  We went to eat dinner that was provided and then took the kids to tour the grounds, see the Christmas lights, and roll down the big hill!  :) It was such a great day, especially to share it with our children. Elena and Max had so much fun. Here are just some of the pictures we took. 

My handsome hubby all dressed up.

Two amazing kids that didn't fight the whole time!  (or so I was told)

What a great way to enjoy the holiday season!

Poser!

I went to get the camera out of our bedroom when Aidan promptly said, "Take picture of me!" Then he proceeded to pose. I didn't have to coach him at all. 

Then he said, "turn it around" for me to take another picture at a different angle! 

He is such a poser!  But he's pretty darn adorable if I say so myself!  

Ward Christmas Party

Last Saturday we had our ward Christmas party. We had a good time and really enjoyed the program and you can't top having Santa come!  The kids had  a lot of fun and it was great to see them perform some songs. 

Elena and the achievement day girls sang a cute song called "Mrs. Santa Clause." This is a very short clip. (I think Lemuel was trying to take a picture and then realized it was on video.)

Then all of the primary sang "Away in a Manger" but for some reason I can't get the video to post. 
Max was very determined to sit on Santa's lap and inform him he would like a Wii. Elena said she was too old to sit on Santa's lap so no picture of her. 

Aidan loved it. I think he was more excited about getting the toys than anything!  

Trying to keep Aidan from eating the dessert with his fingers! 

The primary kids singing "Away in a Manger."

Elena and Mia Urmston

After we got home we sent the kids to bed. I was finishing up in the kitchen when I went to check on them and this is what I found. I love it when they are behaving so nicely with each other and reading Christmas stories is such a great way to end the day!  Are they cute? 

Christmas Tag....

I've been tagged...again!

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Hot Chocolate all the way!

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just put them under the tree? Definetly has to be wrapped. 

3. Colored Lights or white lights on house/tree? white are on my tree but I love the mix of red and white. 

4.Do you hang mistletoe? I wish I did, I have the perfect place for it. Maybe I should find some....

5. When do you put your decorations up? Always the day after Thanksgiving!  

6. What is your favorite holiday dish? I love the snacks!  All the different dips and treats!

7. Favorite holiday memory as a child? The Christmas my sister Amy and I got hamsters!  We tried to sneak out and see what Santa had left us, but the noise from the hamsters running in the exercise wheel scared us and we ran back to bed!  Good memories!

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? What? There's no Santa Clause! I still believe!

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Of Course!  We always get new pajamas or slippers 

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree? Usually we have 2 trees but we only have room for one at our new place so we have red and silver ornaments up along with ribbon. 

11. Snow. Love it or Dread it? I love to look at it and I miss it when I don't have it especially at Christmas time. But not so much when I am shoveling it.  

12. Can you ice skate? really, really slowly!  :) 

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? The year I got the My little pony castle!  

14. What is the most important thing about the Holidays to you? Spending time with my family and cherishing the Christmas activities. 

15. What is your favorite holiday dessert? I don't know if I have a favorite dessert but I love soft gingersnaps during the holidays.  

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?  lots to list, but probably reading Christmas stories and reenacting the birth of our Savior. 

17. What tops your Christmas tree? a bright red bow. (the star broke in the move)

18. Which do you prefer giving or receiving? I love giving!  It makes it so much more enjoyable to watch everyone open their gifts!  

19. What is your favorite Christmas song? I have a lot, but three of my all time favorites are "O Holy Night" sung by my dad, and "Believe" and  "Little Drummer Boy" by Josh Groban!  

20. Candy canes. Yum or Yuck? I love to look at them, but don't care to eat them. Now if they are chopped up and mixed in brownies or ice cream we are talking!  

21. What do you want for Christmas?  hhhmmmm....... photoshop elements for Macs so I can start digital scrapbooking.

Whew!  That took a lot longer than I thought but it was heaps of fun! :) I tag......Melinda, Katie, Kahealani, Rachel, Jen, Jenni, Stephanie, Susan, Becca, Alicia, Kristen, Ann Marie, Katie, and anyone else who reads it!  Love you all! 

Christmas is coming....

The goose is getting fat! Could you put a penny in the old man's hat! YEAH! Christmas is on its way. I love it outside. It has cooled down enough to feel more like fall, but it's December. I love this time of year! I can look outside at night and see the Christmas lights. I love coming into the living room and seeing the tree all lit up. The kids had their Christmas corner (where I give the some money and they shop at school for their family members) at school this week and they are already asking if they can open the presents under the tree. I might have to move them so they won't be tempted. They are as excited as I am! :~}

Family photos

We finally took some family pictures. We went to a place called Hart Park and had a friend come and snap some pictures. I think we got some pretty good ones, although, I have been informed by my daughter and hubby that we are wearing black next time and not brown. What was I thinking.  ;~} Anyway here are some of my favorites. 

This is one of the best ones of Aidan. It just captures his exuberance!  I love it! He was so excited about playing in the leaves. 

One of the family. We only got a couple of family photos that turned out ok. The kids pictures turned out a lot better.
What a beauty she is, but I am biased. She loves to get her picture taken and told me this one is her favorite. 
Max is so big now!  He looks so much older than 7 here. What a handsome little man he is!

In this picture Aidan looks so pensive which is so unlike him!  He is usually going, going, going!  Just like the energizer bunny. He wouldn't take his stick out of the photo.

Just the two of us!  

I will save the others for our Christmas cards. So you will just have to wait and see which one we use!