Celebrating Christmas and "The Look"

Christmas this year was fabulous! We had lots of fun. Here are just a few things we did to celebrate.

After a big family dinner at my sister Laurann's house, we took the train into Salt Lake and visited Temple Square. Everybody had fun on the ride into the city.

Temple Square is so pretty at that time of year with all the lights. The problem is that it is always cold (go figure) but as long as we are dressed warm and having fun, the temperature doesn't matter.

 This is a photo of all of us. To manage this many people through the crowds and end up with the right number of kids at the end of the evening is a major accomplishment.

 The highlight of the trip for my kids was the man playing the bagpipes.

 The highlight of the trip for me just being there.

 Another momentous occasion this Christmas season was Vanessa's kindergarten program. She was right in the middle of her class and so excited to start the program.

 I was there early and fought my way to the front row to get the best photos. When the kids stood up to sing one of the Santa hats completely blocked Vanessa's face from my vantage point. I ended up sitting on the back row after all that. My photos of the program aren't great but her wave at the end was perfect!

 We acted out the Nativity in our barn again this year. We invited some friends over to join us. We had an upset Mary and Joseph who was far more interested in the toy dragon he was playing with before we made him dress up.

 One of our angels was excited  and the other was not. Can you guess which was which?

 Our wise men enjoyed being being called "wise".

The little kids got to open presents. It helps that Aaron's company manufactures toys and he can just pick up extras from the warehouse. Vanessa loves the fact that her dad is a toymaker.

I LOVE Christmas morning! Every year I wake up before the kids do. The anticipation is too much. Vanessa enjoyed the fact that she had the biggest pile of presents.(No, we do not play favorites. Lots of gifts at her age, cost less then gifts for the older kids once they get into the electronics stage.)

 I love "The Look" of Christmas morning.

 Savanah was so excited about her American girl doll she was hugging the entire box.

We got smiles from AJ and Ethan.

 If you look really close, and I mean really really close, one corner of his mouth looks like it's turning upward. Fifteen year old boys are really hard to capture. I still think he was happy deep down inside.

That is what Christmas is all about happiness and being with family as we celebrate the birth of Christ.