Christmas Eve

My parents pulled into our place right as we were in the midst of our family chaos and getting ready for a family party and Donald and Kenna's. The kids were thrilled and even more excited! Somehow Abe missed the memo that my parents were here and gave my Mom a startling surprise as he walked into the bathroom, ready to shower. Oops!

The night was filled with yummy food and fun. The little kids put on a nativity with Kassi direction. It was fun to watch! 

After we were all thoroughly exhausted, we went home to wrap up the evening. The boys opened their traditional Christmas Eve pajamas. Sawyer was tickled pink to receive his pirate jammies. Crew... I am not sure what to think of his reaction. 

I also gifted some pajamas to my Mom, and a matching set for myself, that is cream with red cardinals. She loved them!

Soon the kids were brushed, snuggled, and fell asleep. We soon got to work stuffing stockings and setting up the morning festivities!

Eve of the Eve Party

I have a fabulous group of girl friends that I love to get together and laugh with. Some of them aren't fortunate enough to have family in town to celebrate with, and so we decided to throw a party with them. Since we already had plans for Christmas Eve, we settled on the day before. The idea was to do a progressive dinner and learn a little about the nativity at each home, carol in between homes, and end up at our home for dessert and the party portion. Unfortunately it didn't turn out that way. 

Marie called me this morning, with the flu! After chatting with Lisa we decided to move the party to my house, and I would also prepare dinner.

Lisa's family had a late start and didn't get to our house until almost an hour later than planned. It was fine though; I had a few things left on my list to check off for my parents arrival tomorrow.

The boys loved helping me decorate, baking the cake, and getting their white elephant gifts ready and were more than excited when the party started. 

After doing the nativity story we did our white elephant game. We chose to forgo the minute to win it games and crafts because we had a late start, and it was a little less exciting when there are only 4 adults and 4 kids. Instead the kids enjoyed played with the toys and the adults visited.

The night quickly passed and we called it a night. It was an enjoyable tradition that we will have to continue next year. 

Dance Party

We have a lot of dance parties at our house. For some (Sawyer) pants are optional. I decided to put my phone down and have some of our moments captured. I love our family!

Christmas Lights

Tonight we stopped in Fernley on our way home. Crew was our photographer and captured about a million pictures of the lights. It was fun to see such elaborate lights!

Church

Today Crew had free time in his class, and drew Kenna and Donald. Later Kenna sent me this picture.

Church Christmas Party

We had another sit down dinner for our ward Christmas party. Oddly, the turn out was the lowest I have seen in years! But, I will still thrilled to watch Crew in the pageant. Crew played the part of a Nephite and said, "Look there! It is just as Samuel prophesied. A great star!"

He was a mix of excited and nervous! When the time came to put on his outfit he was hanging pretty close to me and giving me the silliest of grins. He was also at full attention when they were giving their instructions.

After the first song Crew stood for his part. He then began to recite his primary program, "John 3:16." This is a very acceptable scripture to the nativity, but he soon corrected himself to the original part. (I may have let out a slightly audibly strained "nope") 

The shepherds were out of control! They were in full combat at several points! In fact, they were trying to beat down the star near the end. But it helped fill the space in which some kids struggled with their part.

Next up was Santa. Crew was grinning and blushing all at the same time. But, when it got down to business, he was very serious about what he wanted for Christmas.

Where was Sawyer for all of this? He was sad he didn't get to participate in the program, enjoyed hanging out with his Dad, and was thrilled to show Santa his play frog. 

I was asked to photograph the kids with Santa, and snapped a few during the nativity. This left Abe to watch after the boys after the dinner portion of the evening. Then I stayed to practice with Kim and Lisa for a musical piece in church tomorrow: "Away In a Manger." It is a beautiful arrangement. 

My Workin' Boys

I came out to check on the boys and I had to quickly go grab my camera. Crew was less than thrilled initially, but soon realized I was only out there to capture him and Sawyer in their element!

Abe "the boys" (how we refer to the hired help) have been hard at work cleaning up a lot of the farm land. The have just started on the home place. I am excited to see what gets done! Since they are in our yard, my boys get to go out and help with everything as well. I love it!!

Someday Crew will make a great boss and coordinator. He is very organized and knows what is safe. Sawyer will be very good at getting dirty. He likes to get all the way into his work! He will also be great comic relief!