Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone. We had a very relaxing Christmas morning. We didn't get up until seven. We ate our traditional cinnamon rolls and then proceeded to open all the presents in under 30 minutes. Joshua just loved the wrapping paper. William said that we didn't need the shredder anymore because we now have a human version.
Everyone enjoyed their gifts. Aaron just hasn't opened his yet. That is because it is car parts that are sitting in the garage. And it has been cold. But hopefully he will get out their soon and get use out of those parts. I really want to ride in his MGB later this summer.
We all just relaxed and then at 3 we got talk to my brother who is finishing his mission in the New York New York south mission. We can't wait to see him on the 7 of Jan.
A list of things each of the kids received:
William: P.j. (that didn't fit. stop growing will ya!) Banana chair, millennium falcon, A-wing, books, coat, settlers of catan, and a battle ground game.
Sariah: P.j. they did fit her. Little pet shop toy, three pairs of pants, a new dress, a book, bike and other things that mommy can't remember.
Joshua: His first tooth. Three pairs of p.j.'s , clothes and a couple of toys.
Aaron received lots of car parts!!!! Now get out their and get going on the car.
I received things that I asked for: 2 cutting boards a strainer(mine was leaving metal pieces in the food) and two puzzles. Aaron then gave me some money to go and by me a new dress. He hates shopping for clothes.
Christmas night turned onto a blizzard and so we did end up with a white Christmas after all.

The Second Week of the Season

This week was alot less crazy than last week. We had choir practices every morning, with one performance at an assisted living center. Oh, what fun it was to ride on the school bus with 55 4,5,and 6 graders. There was another bus but that only had 29 students on it. When we arrived our three lines from the riser at the school turned into five squished lines with some sitting of the floor and some kneeling. But they acted well behaved and sang great for the people who did come down. Now if I can get this crazy Miami Beach song out of my head I might get a good night sleep.

I did get to go to our enrichment night on Tuesday. It was alot of fun. Joshua had fun waving to anyone else that would wave to him. I did end up playing the piano for the carols that we sang. The food was soup in a bread bowl and the rest of the food was salads and desserts brought by the rest of the sisters. Thanks again for the cheesecake and the cherry chip cookies. Yum.

Thursday was "Santa at the cabin." The Santa was awesome. Real beard, long white hair, and didn't promise toys that maybe mom and dad couldn't afford (Nintendo D.S.). But Sariah still felt like he listened to her request and then we got to take these cute pictures. Joshua had just woken up and didn't really now what to do. My sister joined us for the short fun that is was. The kids received a little activity kit and a little cup. I love the city that we live in.

Today we awoke to blowing snow and the forecast for it to continue all weekend long. Can we sing "It's beginning to look alot like Christmas". I will have to take pictures and post them later.

The First Week of the Christmas Season

Monday: We were able to go see "The Forgotten Carols" by Michael McLean. We were supposed to go as a family but Sariah came home from school with the flu. She and Joshua ended up staying at my sister house. It was a great night as you can see from the pictures. William brought a friend to replace his sister for the night.

Tuesday: We had our annual make gingerbread houses night. Unfortunately I didn't have my camera.

Wednesday: The pioneer Elementary school choir performed at the Christmas Village. William did great and Aaron says that I played well. One performance down, four left!

Thursday: Was a night just for me. It was our yearly Stake primary party. It is the night we get together and put our gifts for the ward leaders together, enjoy food, and just relax after the long year of ward conferences and primary programs(which we still have two wards to go too).

Friday: Date night. This year my sister is in the Chamber choir of the high school.Every year they put on a Dickens Festival. Mariah got the part of The ghost of Christmas past. It was a very entertaining night. I will publish more on it when I can get the pictures posted.

Saturday: My mothers birthday. We celebrated by going out to eat. Thanks again cousin Lynsey for unexpectedly dropping by and taking all the grandkids for us.