Merry December

I know, I know. I should have posted this nearly 4 months ago. I took a bit of a break from blogging. So here's Christmas. It's not exactly in chronological order but, oh well.

We finally got to enjoy temple square with the kids. We tried this a couple years ago when we in Utah for Christmas and they just kept crying about the cold. This year we were more cold weather prepared, temps were milder and we were with the Shurtliff cousins. All which made for a more pleasant experience. The kids loved it and so did I. Hugs from Duke.

Maycie, Whitney and Addilyn in the Tabernacle.

A white Christmas in the Carolinas.

According to the National Weather Service the last time Charlotte had a white Christmas was in 1947. Talk about a Christmas miracle.

Zhu Zhu pets were a big Christmas hit this year. I think mom got just as much of a kick out of them as the kids did.

Our traditional Christmas breakfast cinnamon rolls, unusual fruit, egg casserole, sausage, egg-nog and hot chocolate with candy canes. The kids love it.

Snuggle time.

Between the pillow pets, cuddle budz and webkinz, it was a big year for stuffed animals.

The aftermath.

This was my favorite gift. The kids got a huge bin of art and craft supplies all individually wrapped to make the unwrapping last longer. Markers, glue, pipe cleaners, poster paint, tissue paper, chalk, craft sticks, googly eyes, pom poms, paper rolls, paper bundles, sculpting clay... am I forgetting anything? I had a lot of fun putting it together and the kids had a lot of fun taking it apart - and then creating, of course.

Alex was into Star Wars this year.

Waiting for the big reveal.

I kept this tradition from my childhood. The kids have to wait at the top of the stairs while mom and dad check to make sure Santa came (aka: light fire, make sure gifts are in right spot, and that Santa ate his cookies).

Addilyn wrote the letter to Santa this year.

The jammies.

It's been the tradition that I sew matching jammies for the kids. This year I included myself.

I also made them for all my friends since we were spending Christmas Eve at the Smith's house. Kristin Smith, Wendy Smith, Sandy Abbott, Me (pregnant belly and all).

Alex, Ethan Smith and Josh Abbott. Little buddies.

All the kids listening to Adam Smith tell the Christmas story.

Opening jammies Christmas Eve.

Christmas Eve at the Smiths.

We changed up our tradition a little this year. Usually we have our big feast with our North Carolina family (the Abbotts and Smiths) on Christmas night.

Big kids table.

Little kids table.

Gingerbread Chaos.

Last year I bought 10 gingerbread houses on after Christmas clearance for $1 each. So this year the kids got to invite their friends over for a gingerbread house decorating party. Don't worry. I bought fresh candy and the kids didn't eat the houses (they were a little stale from sitting in the attic all year). It was definitely chaos, but a lot of fun.

Maycie's idea of fun is to dress Alex up in leotards and tights and make him dance. Once he came down in a tutu and said, "Mom, will you turn on some princess music?" Should I be concerned? Nah. that kids has plenty of testosterone in him that a few moments in tights won't ruin him.

Addilyn's 1st grade Christmas program-or I meant "Holiday" program. To be politically correct and fare to all religions it is not referred to as a Christmas program and they sing songs from Hanuka, Kwanzaa, Christmas and secular.

Maycie's preschool Christmas program. She's way in the back on the right side.

Alex's preschool Christmas program.

Our "Deck the Halls" party where we drink hot chocolate, eat caramel popcorn, watch Muppets Christmas Carol and decorate the tree.

I love traditions so this year we copied one from my sister. We went to Cracker Barrel for dinner and let the kids pick out any ornament they wanted. I wish I would have started this sooner because my plan is to write their names and the year on the ornaments they choose and then when they get married let them take the ornaments they've choosen over the years.

On the last day of our Utah trip Grandma and Grandpa Mann took us to Leatherby's from lunch and the best ice cream desserts ever. Check out that ice cream sundae.

Another thing that seems to be synonomous with visiting grandparents - the bounce houses.

Helping Grandma Mann decorate her Christmas tree. She was very appreciative.

Waiting to get pictures taken with Santa.

Maycie, Whitney, Addilyn.

The dresses.

Every year I have fun dreaming up what dresses I will create for the girls. I loved dreaming up these dresses but didn't love creating them so much. Every year when I finish them I swear I will never sew Christmas dresses again. I guess it's kind of like childbirth, because every year I forget how painful it was and do it again. Still, I'm happy with the way they turned out and the girls adored them.

Utah had a huge snow fall while we were visiting and the kids begged to go sledding.

Addilyn and Maycie took right to it, but Alex was apprehensive and would only slide down on his tummy at first. When he did finally try the sled, wouldn't you know it, he biffed it and is traumatized forever.

Flat Iron Park is probably one of the most popular sledding hills in the Salt Lake Valley. As a teenager I remember iceblocking down it with friends. Unfortunately, due to high traffic the hill looked pretty sparse of snow only days after the storm despite 2 feet of it everywhere else. Oh well. The kids thought it was awesome.

The drive down to Marmie's house.