Our week of Christmas part 3

This is Natalie fascinated with the lights on my brothers Christmas tree. We went there the day after Christmas to have dinner and have picture done with all the grandkids of my parents. We had planned to do it outside but it was really windy and cold that day so we opted for inside. Hopefully I will post those pictures soon.

This is Nathan at my Grandpa's house. We visited him on Christmas day. He has a lot of animals that sing songs and my kids love to play with them. To be honest I think it gives Grandpa Great great joy to watch the kids enjoy them.

Taylor enjoying the Winnie the Pooh toy at Grandpa Great's. We had also visited there Nana great before this visit. It is great that my kids have Great Grandparents that they get to see pretty regularly.

Taylor organizing her stocking candy on Christmas morning. Gee I wonder where she gets that from. ;-)

Nathan pointing out that Santa had tried the cookies we left for him.

We really did have a great Christmas. We consider ourselves blessed in many ways. We spent a lot of time with our extended family and our little family making many memories. It was a busy and somewhat stressful time, but I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Our week of Christmas part 2

Tuesday the 23rd we had the lockshop Christmas party. We wanted to do something different and fun for the employees this year. Plus we needed to have a party we could bring the kids to since we both needed to be there. Before most of the lockshop parties were at an American Legion post and we sat there as everyone else smoked and drank. Obviously we didn't want to do that so we opted for a party at Speedway Racetrack in Phoenix. It was a lot of fun. The employees got to race indoor go karts (we have 7 employees in addition to us) The party consisted of 2 races each, pizza wings and drinks, we gave them all a small present and trophy's were given to the 3 fastest racers and I of course got the turtle award for being the slowest. THe picture above is of Nathan and Taylor doing to arcade race game. (you have to be 8 to drive the go-kart)

This is Preston (front car) in one of the go-karts. They definitely did not have leg room, but they were fun.

This is Nathan Taylor and Thomas (cousin on my side) I watched Thomas and his little brother Henry while most of the rest of my family went to see the Nutcracker in Phoenix.

Christmas Eve we went to my Parent's house for dinner and to act out the Nativity Story. This picture above is my brother and his 2 boys as the 3 wise men. They were visiting from Provo and it was so great to have them here to make memories with.

Here is the rest of the Nativity pageant participants. Nathan was the lone shepherd. Taylor the lone Angel. I am Mary, Preston Joseph and Natalie baby Jesus. Can I just say this terry cloth robe and towel were very hot. Plus I had a sweater on underneath. I was neat to participate in the pageant. I havent done that since I was probably 12. Thanks to my sister Sherri for gathering most of the costumes for us to do this.

Our week before Christmas Part 1

Monday Dec 22nd the cousins on Preston's side were in town for the big family party (125 + people in one house-crazy times) Anyhow the cousins came to my house and made ginger bread houses. The picture above is of Nathan and Daniel with their houses.

This is all of them during the construction phase.

Taylor and Chanelle with their finished products.

Most of the cousins on my side at our family Christmas party we had at my house on Sunday evening. We had a lot of fun. The night included a yummy mexican dinner, barking dogs a couple of videos (Mary did you Know? and Luke 11) We had all the family together. 10 grandkids at 9 adults.

This is the Gingerbread house that Preston and I made at my friend Hollie's annual Gingerbread party. (Friday the 19th) I am a little embarrassed by it. I really didn't have time to research any cute ideas of what to do we just threw it together with candy I found at the dollar store and what I found in my cupboards. It is fun to make though. Hollie really goes all out for these parties.

Saturday the 20th we had our ward Christmas party. THey fed us a really yummy spaghetti dinner, we had a program and Nathan dressed up as a shepherd for the Nativity Pageant. Preston and the rest of the bishopric were the 3 wise men and they did a little program part and handed out gifts. Sorry I forgot to my camera that night.

Sunday the 21st at church I actually sang in the ward choir for the Christmas Program. This was huge for me. I haven't sang in a ward choir since I was a teenager. I really enjoyed it and plan to continue to go. The highlight of it all (other then the amazing spirit you feel) was that Preston had to come off the stand and sit with the kids while I sat on the stand for the program. Of course they were angels for him. No tantrums and no throw up. I was really hoping for something to help him realize it is a bit difficult by yourself with the 3 of them. Oh well.

Wow 3 posts 1 day. Can we say catch up?

Taylor enjoying the spatula from the brownie dough.

The picture to the right is 3 of the 9 goodie plates I made for primary teachers, HT and VT families.

These bottom 3 pictures are what my house looked like after spending most of the day baking and doing work for the shop. I had also cleaned up some before I thought to take a picture of the mess. Taylors room isn't bad but it shows 2 of the 4 loads of laundry I needed to fold. I am glad I am done with that project and grateful that my kids were low maintenance yesterday.