We got to attend the girls good friend, Sorena's baptism. These 3 have so much fun and spend a lot of time together and it was a nice day to celebrate with her.
Sparky our elf made his return. Wow, the kids love him so much. He has notes almost daily to take back to the north pole. This year they made him clothes and a sled to help him with his trek back to the north pole each night.
Our annual gingerbread house decorating took place again. They sure love this tradition. This year they were determined to eat it...I wasn't even sure it was edible but after Christmas I let them at it and they ate a lot of it and didn't seem to get sick afterwards!
We also had our annual trip to see the lights at temple square. Always a fun and cold night.
I got to volunteer for Jaron's Polar Express Day at Kindergarten. I got to do it for the girls last year as well so it was fun being able to be there this year as well.
We got 7 tickets to see the Tabernacle choir Christmas concert this year. Kristen Chenoweth was the guest performer so we were so excited to get tickets. I took my girls this year after a lot of my sisters/family couldn't go that night. They loved being in the conference center for the first time (and were even excited we got to sit at the top looking down!) My mom, Jennifer and Lori went with us as well. President Nelson was there that night so it was cool for the girls to get to see him, even if it was really far away.
We got to see Santa at our ward Christmas party this year.
Gingerbread house decorating wasn't enough apparently and we had another night of decorating gingerbread men.
The kids had their annual Christmas sing at school. Unfortunately Siena got sick the night before and wasn't able to go. (she also missed the dance festival last year, ugh.) Jaron sang I want to be an Elf, and Aria sang Santa's using Zebra's now. Both songs were so cute.
The kids were so excited when I told them one night that they could have a slumber party by the Christmas tree. They got everything all set up and thought it was pretty fun getting to sleep by the lights of the tree.
The sad part of our Christmas was Jaron got sick on Christmas eve. I was glad my parents didn't mind that we still came over on Christmas eve but it's always sad to be sick on a holiday, let alone Christmas. Luckily Christmas day he felt ok and still enjoyed the day.
Christmas eve was fun though. I love how low key Christmas eve is, it's always just a relaxing day at home, playing games, and spending time with each other. The kids had all been making home made presents for each other this year through out the month, so we decided to open those on Christmas eve before we went to my parents. They even made presents for our fish, Diamond. I hope these home made gifts never stop because I love them and I especially love how excited they get to give these. That evening we went to my parents and of course acted out the nativity. This was the first year any of my kids had a request, Aria wanted to be the angel, so it was cute to see her get excited about this.
Christmas morning is always so fun but I'm not sure why I'm terrible at taking pictures. We always take video but not many pictures. The kids had a great year and always score big. This year we bought the girls electric scooters and Jaron got a go-kart. They got to ride it Christmas morning and since then it's been so snowy that they haven't rode them that much. Santa gave them sleds that have been very well used this year. We have a great sledding hill a few neighborhoods over and the kids have loved sledding this year. And I like it because I can watch them from the warmth of my car. Grandma and Grandpa Goold gave the girls a little sewing machine and Jaron a lego set.
