December is always the heaviest picture month of the year. We have so many things that we get to do! Our school does a breakfast with Santa each year. After cleaning the church, we had some yummy breakfast and a quick visit with Santa.
My friend in Primary told us about our Stake's Light the World event. It was a concert and anyone could do any kind of musical number. She asked me to be in a piano quartet and we worked together on a hand bells number, Baby in a Manger, with some willing kiddos in our neighborhoods. I LOVE to use handbells at Christmas time. At church, at home, they are the best! They are so fun. They are an easy "instrument" to play and all kids just love them! Lyla also colored a Nativity that was featured in the halls. In the gym there was a nativity museum of all sorts of different donated Nativities to enjoy. Such a wonderful night!
The first grade classrooms had a gingerbread theme the last week before Christmas break. Another mom and I had a great time decorating their door. I made the candies and had the kids decorate a sticker that became their gingerbread man.
We got our neighbor/friend treat done a little earlier this year. I tried a new cookie recipe and it was not as good as I wanted it to be. Back to the original. We always have a great time being creative and decorating a TON of cookies.
Grayson auditioned for and made it into the 4th/5th grade honor choir at our school. He had really enjoyed it and he is REALLY looking forward to the fun field trips they get to do as they travel to a couple of festivals this Spring. He had his first concert and I loved every second of it. They sang a song called, "Listen to My Song" and I choked up a bit. They have a great director and a wonderful sound for 4th/5th graders! I love this experience for him! I hope Nolan tries out next year! The pictures don't look like Grayson is having fun, but I promise he enjoys choir!
Right before Christmas I invite our Bishop to come to singing time. We talk about Regular Christmas symbols and how they are symbols of Christ. We sing and try to remember Jesus. Our Bishop is such a great sport and I didn't know I had enough bows for each child until he was COVERED in them.
In 2022, Tyler found a bunch of gingerbread house kits on sale of .99! We put them in our closet and saved them ALLL year until December. We were very clear with the kids that they were not edible, but would build just fine!
I never know what I am going to find when this girl is making up her creative games. In this instance she was playing the police officer AND the spray paint tagger. The noise she made sounded JUST LIKE spray paint.
Tyler turned the BIG 35 and we celebrated him with all of his favorite things. Lillie and Colton were here for a few days and graciously watched the kids so he could go to Costco and Bass Pro. He got a lot of supplies of his smoker and all his favorite foods.
The Christmas Eve traditions still live on! With Kenney and Teresa pretty close we can still enjoy all of our favorite Christmas Eve things. Lillie's family along with Kendra were able to visit for the fun as well.
Lyla took charge of our Nativity this year. She gave the ideas and I advised how to make it work! 
We opened the presents to and from all the people that were there including our pajamas!
Last year, Walmart sold these GREAT Texas pajamas. However, they were $25 a pair and we just couldn't justify it. They were not worth the budget. In February, Lillie noticed her Walmart had them on sale for $7 or less a pair! She searched the racks and was able to find everyone in both of our families a pair the right size! We held on to them ALL year and they did not disappoint! Kenney and Teresa had theirs from last year and we were able to take an epic picture!
We finished up the evening with our regularly scheduled Nativity reading and reenactment.
Christmas did not disappoint. I always start the shopping season with the idea that I'm going to go simple this year. When I look a the picture, I see simple, but when I add up the $$$$, not so much. Tyler and I always end up with WAYYY to much candy from Santa.
We spent the day relaxing and enjoying some extra family time! The favorite gift was a new to us Oculus VR that Tyler and I tricked the kids into thinking they got it for Tyler without knowing what they got him! Lots of fun and lots of patience setting the timer and waiting for their turn again.
Nolan started his journey with braces. However, his expander fell out during the holiday and took forever to get put back in! He had JUST got all the expansions in and he had JUST gotten used to it. It was annoying for everyone.
Some friends from Tremonton, Sarah and JoBelinda, found a really good deal on some flights to DFW so they came out the week between Christmas and New Year's. We entertained them with our favorite things, Buc-ee's, The Stockyards and H-E-B.
For New Year's Eve, we had a fun get together with visitors. Mitch and Emily stopped on their way home from Galveston to spend the evening with us. Cousin time is always an adventure of fun! Tyler was VERY proud of his Charcuterie board.
We try to end our visits with Mitch and Emily by taking pictures of all our "twins" each of our children are born within two months of each other! Except Ender, we left him high and dry.
I don't think we rested during the break, we just partied, HARD. Now, on to 2024!
Until next time...
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