Monday, December 19, 2011

Getting ready for Christmas

Christmas is just around the corner and as always it seems to come too fast but we've had fun with all the holiday festivities and parties.
Emma's Ballet class had us come and see what they've been learning. Emma really enjoys ballet and the slow music as she says. She is a very graceful dancer and it was really cool to see how much she has learned in a short amount of time. So excited for her recital in the Spring!
We had our ward Christmas party which was really nice. They had a band playing fun music, fantastic food and Santa and Mrs. Clause paid a visit with reindeer cake pops. I missed having Santa at our ward Christmas parties in Texas, that's how it was at my ward parties growing up and what's a Christmas party without Santa? It's fun for the kids and I don't think it takes away from the true meaning, it's not like we bring Santa to primary on Sundays. Anywho, that's my two cents.
I love this picture.
I look forward to my families Christmas party every year, it's always so much fun! There are 14 grandkids with one on the way :) and they're starting to take over the parties now but instead of doing a gift exchange between the siblings we go on a sibling date with no kids! Its fantastic and we have so much fun! Here are the kids doing the Nativity and poor Ben who is the oldest grandchild (12) went up to his Mom after getting into costume and said, "Shoot me now" Lol, I remember feeling that way at my Grandmas Christmas parties. There should be an age limit. :)
Each family tries to contribute something to the program. My brother Spencer is an amazing clogger and his girls have picked up on that talent, so fun to watch!
My sister stepped out of the norm and did an hilarious Muppet skit.
And my hubby did his Christmas jam, very proud am I. The kids were just mesmerized while Aaron played, they loved it!
We had a craft table to distract the kids so us adults could play Christmas song pictionary.
I love pinterest, so many great ideas, like this one I just finished as a gift for my mom and Mother-in-laws. I took makeup compacts, cleaned them out and turned them into mini photo albums they can carry around with them in their purse.
I was able to get 7 pictures of the girls into one and they come out accordion style. Pretty cool huh? Way cheap and super easy!
It's not Christmas without gingerbread houses. I found this package of a cute mini village, so fun!

Watch out, it's giant Emma and Chloe!
And my Texas girl Shelley made me this shirt, hehe I Love it!


My Family from WiddlyTinks.com

Friday, December 2, 2011

Getting in the holiday mood

I can't believe it's December already, craziness! Our holidays have been really nice so far. We got to have 3 Thanksgivings, one at Aaron's Dads house, one at my Moms house, and one in Delta. Lot of Turkey, yummy! I think I gained some extra pounds.

The best part of Thanksgiving weekend for me was shooting guns in Grandma Dutsons backyard for 3 hours. We have 3 different 22's and it's been years since we've had the chance to shoot them and it was so much fun! We set up a bunch of targets and I got really good, quite proud of myself :) After hours of shooting, Sheena's boyfriend brought out his shotguns and after trying that once Grandma Dutson got a little freaked and made us call it quits.

This is my very own little 22, cute huh? It might look little but it's quite loud and way fun to shoot!

Tonight we braved the chilly weather and layered up like The Christmas Story to take Trax to see the lights at Temple Square. We had so many layers, even our pajama bottoms under our jeans, but even after all the "Oh Mom leave us alone, we're fine" and the rolling eyes from Aaron, everyone was quite thankful I made them layer up.


Halfway through Chloe rebelled and refused to wear her coat but she had an undershirt, two long sleeve shirts, a sweatshirt, scarf and was still fine.




My Family from WiddlyTinks.com