Christmas Season!

We have spent the Christmas season doing lots, having fun and unfortunately not taking many pictures. So here's a recap:

We made Gingerbread houses, drove around and looked at lights (on several different occasions, went to the temple, the girls and I sang "Mary's Lullaby" in sacrament meeting, planned and pulled off the ward Christmas party...

Although it was a crazy busy time we had fun. We did a "Christmas around the World" themed party. We had large flags from all over the World hung around the cultural hall, we decorated the tables with centerpieces that members had from around the World, on top of the usual ham, potatoes corn, salad, rolls, etc. we had members bring side dishes from around the World, we had a Nativity display of Nativity's from around the World and the program was talent or traditions from around the World. One family sang Silent Night in 4 different languages, one family did sign language, there was a Hawaiian dance etc. I think it turned out really fun. Glad it's over though. 

Our Santa this year was awesome...AKA grandpa. He was soo excited he bought himself his own Santa suit and provided teddy bears for all the kids. It was a huge hit. Calli and Sadie helped him as their elves. After taking her turn on Santa's lap Gentry came up to me after and said "Santa sounds like grandpa." Then she shrugged and ran off. It was so funny. 

Back to the recap: We wrote our letters to Santa, did the live nativity at Tuacahn (different post) colored our pillowcases, had our baking day, ate tons of junk food...

I walked in the kitchen one afternoon after school and found Calli making this concoction. I swear she eats like a horse. I don't know where she puts it all.  Chex cereal, honey grahams cereal, peanut butter, marshmallows, and chocolate syrup. She put it in the microwave and chowed down. 

More recap:

hunted for Jingle Jr. every morning (different post), went to Adam's work party, went to the Peterson Christmas Party, went to the Losee Christmas Party...

 Grand kids in their new pajamas playing Disney Headbandz. 

With Ben and Stacy living up north now, we just have my mom and dad and 1 brother and his family to celebrate with. While we were having our party here my 2 brothers and sister were having their party there. We continued to text and send pictures and videos back and forth throughout our parties.

We even had a surprise visit from Santa himself. The girls were sitting in the living room when they heard the door bell ring and then banging on the door and someone yell hey, let me in. It totally freaked them out. It was hilarious. 

He brought each of the girls some pajamas. So cute. I think he (grandpa) is really getting some good use out of his Santa suit. Well, we had a crazy but fun Christmas Season. I tried to soak it all in as fast as I could as it seemed to just rush past my eyes.