Nativity

At the Holmes Family Christmas Party, we did a little nativity story.  It was so cute to see all the kids dressed up.  Sydney was an angel, and Cooper a shepherd.  Some of my favorite Christmas traditions are Christ centered... glad we did this one this year!

Sydney and Cooper have been so cute... during their daily playing, I often hear them playing "Mary and Joseph."  Cooper will come up to me and say, "Mommy, I Joseph!" I'm so happy that the Christmas Story has stuck with them. Love it.

Preschool Program

We had our preschool Christmas program on the 15th of December.  I think it went really well.  Of course we had wiggly kids, kids who didn't want to sing, and shy kids... but that's what you get in preschool.  It was so fun to see the kids perform their parts and sing the songs they had practiced.  Very rewarding.  Sydney said her part perfectly.  Nice and loud and clear.  "The best part about Christmas is decorating cookies with my mommy... for Santa."  She improvised a little, and added "for Santa" in there.  And, no I did not persuade her to include me in her best part about Christmas.  I'm so happy that she loves making cookies with me!  Sydney sang most of the songs well, but was definitely one of the wiggly ones...  maybe her attention span will be a bit better next year :)  We didn't get great pictures, since Matt was recording (with our new video camera!)  and I was in charge... but here are a couple:

Sydney and her good friend Ella

Merry Christmas!

Temple Square

 Tuesday night we went down town to see the Christmas lights at Temple Square.  It is one of my favorite traditions.  I just love the peace and the Spirit that I feel there.  The kids loved it!  We parked at Little America, and rode Trax to "The Square"... (Yes I have picked up the missionary lingo from my grandparents).  As always, Sydney and Cooper loved the train.  They sat in the stroller on it, and pretended that it was a roller coaster... putting their hands up and everything.  After our tour of the Square, we strolled over to Deseret Book to warm up a bit before getting on Trax again.  We got some gingerbread cookies and looked at their fun window display.  Then we headed back to Little America and ate dinner... my favorite!  That night was just what I needed.  Being with my family, some fresh air, yummy food, and feeling the Spirit.  Love it.

Santa

Courtney and I took the kids to see Santa at the mall the other day.  The kids absolutely loved it!  Sydney and Kate were literally jumping up and down yelling "Santa!" and giggling.  The charge for pictures with Santa is very expensive, so we just took pictures of them waiting in line.  I thought that Cooper would be a bit apprehensive to meet Santa and sit on his lap... I couldn't have been more wrong.  He walked straight up to him and said enthusiastically, "Hi Santa!"  He sat up on his lap, and told Santa that he wanted a ball for Christmas.  Then he said, "going North Pole?"  I've been amazed at how much he is remembering little things like that.  Sydney told Santa that she wanted a scooter.  I really hope she's good enough for Santa to bring her one, because she really wants one.  She is drawing scooters on everything now :)

Sunday Naps

December, and we have yet to find a good schedule for naps on Sunday.  We've tried laying the kids down for a short nap before church... won't go to sleep.  We've tried laying Cooper down the second we get home... stays up too late.  And we've tried keeping them up and just putting them to bed early... That's when they fall asleep while standing up at 5:00.  If only they would just sleep through our 1:00 Sacrament Meeting...

9:00 church... here we come!

Dear Santa

It's Begining to Look a Lot Like...

We are loving having our decorations out!  Most of them are home made (I'm hoping to be able to buy stuff for our tree next year)... and we even made a few new ones this year! Tis the Season!

North Pole Breakfast

The day before Thanksgiving, we woke up to a North Pole Breakfast, provided by Criddle the Elf.  We were all so excited to see her again, and are glad she found us in our new house!  She brought us some snow covered doughnuts, snowy hot chocolate, and peppermint kisses to eat, along with the Elf on the Shelf book, a letter, and some hand cut snowflakes. We decided they definitely have yummy breakfasts in the North Pole!  The kids loved it!

Thanksgiving

We had such a great Thanksgiving this year!  It was so nice to be able to spend some quality time together, and we truly have so much to be thankful for!  The last few months have really shown us what great family and friends we have.  We are so grateful for them, and especially for the gospel.  Life is good, and we are thankful for the many blessings we have been given.

Our little pilgrims

The beautiful Thanksgiving table...

Tim was voted MVP in the Turkey Bowl... and yes he played with a broken ankle and cast!

Sydney's "Thankful Turkey"
friends~Mommy~Cooper~Daddy~the park~my bike