Christmas and More

 Christmas was just lovely! We had time to ourselves as a family of 4 and time with both extended families as well. It was perfect.

 

 

A few weeks ago we took family pictures in a pecan grove in Chandler. I'm pretty happy with them. Except Grant was sticking his tongue out in 90% of them. Oh well, such is life.

 

And to update the baby bump... 

21 weeks along

 

and 24 weeks along

This little girl is moving a lot now. She is healthy and well and we are so grateful!

 

We also enjoyed a family hike at Papago Park. The kids loved watching the airplanes fly in.

 

I tried to be a fun mom (doesn't happen too much) and plan Christmas crafts for Grant. This kid is so happy with a project to work on. Here is what we came up with on 6 different days.

 

1. Candy cane ornaments: pipe cleaner, propeller beads--huge hit!

2. Coloring a page of Christmas symbols and discussing what they each mean.

3. Santa ornament: paper, cotton balls, pipe cleaner

4. Manger for Jesus: lunch bag, paper

5. Rudolph ornament: paper, googly eyes, cotton ball, pipe cleaner

6. Letter to Santa: he wrote his name, I wrote what he told me for the rest. And guess what? We sent it in the mail and actually got a response from Santa in the North Pole. How fun is that?

 

 

 

Too Many Santas??

Well December is busy as usual but so fun too. Last weekend we somehow managed to meet 3 Santas and Grant was simply in heaven.

 

First up, Grandma and Grandpa's Christmas block party.

 

 

Second, Bass Pro Shop. Poor Preston was sick of waiting and not happy about a stranger holding him.

 

And third, we went to downtown Mesa to walk around their "Western Days" and found a lovely Santa sitting with absolutely no one around, no line, no kids. So we had to say hello and take yet another picture. (He was my favorite--looks the most like the real one.)

 



Also last week, we (in the primary presidency) treated our primary teachers to hot chocolate at Liberty Market as part of their Christmas gift. It was a nice hour out, getting to know them better, and enjoying adult conversation. This is something we want to do every year if our budget allows.

 

Grant completed his weekly cooking class with Ms. Kathy at the rec center. It was a good time for him, he made new friends, and got to have fun in the kitchen. This was their final class and they decorated gingerbread houses.

 

We love our little, pre-lit Christmas tree. We've used it for 6 years now and even though it's not life-like, it's perfect and the kids adore it. Preston sometimes likes to pull on ornaments but luckily nothing is breakable (thank you shatter-proof balls).

And just because it made my day I have to include this. As I was putting Grant to bed tonight and walking out of the room he said to me, "Mom, I can't wait to see you in the morning." Ahh--it melted my heart!

In the last week...

We've enjoyed a lot of activities in last week. I took the kids to the temple visitor's center and enjoyed the nativity room, the lights, and the Christmas trees. Turns out, if you go before thanksgiving, you'll be the only one in the entire place and it'll be calm and perfect for the kiddos. No Christmas madness for us!

Last week Sean and I went to the Michael Buble concert at US Airways Arena! It was so great to have a real date together and the music was fabulous of course. Michael Buble is a great performer and a funny guy too. I love the big-band, "classic" style that he has. We enjoyed it for sure!

And of course we had Thanksgiving. What a great weekend. To have Sean around for 4 days in a row--now that is unheard-of. The morning started off with a rousing game of flag football for Sean and I took the kids out to watch him and get some fresh air. This is why we live in Arizona--to have beautiful, 73-degree weather on Thanksgiving day.

This year we had dinner at the Oborn's which of course, never disappoints. Natalie was able to come down from BYU which was great. We've missed her up there. This was our feast!

 

And here is the boy so excited to dig in.

And who couldn't enjoy grandma's homemade pumpkin pie? Yum. We've been looking forward to that all year.

 And one last glimpse of my thanksgiving decorations before Christmas swoops in and takes over. =)