Merry Christmas!

Consider this our Christmas card to YOU.

2015 was a year to remember! And we are grateful to close it out now with the thoughts of our Savior and His humble birth.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

 Bonus improv photos!

Sleigh Bells Ring

This year we tried something new and signed up to take a sleigh ride to go see Santa. We were warned that if it didn't snow, we would end up on a wagon instead. I guess I signed up for the right day because there was SO MUCH SNOW. And it just kept coming! We had to drive through the canyon to get to the place and as much as the snow was a miracle, the fact that we made it home alive was the best part! 

The sleigh ride was magical though!

 Hazel kept her stoic face most of the time.

 And June was giggly and kept catching snow flakes on her tongue.

  Hazel found a stash of snow to eat.

 Meanwhile, June was still catching snow flakes...

 It was a winter wonderland!

The sleigh took us to Santa's village

 June made sure to tell Santa that she wants real kitchen stuff and a violin, and her sister wants an iPad. haha

 Hazel, on the other hand, was not impressed....

It was a fun family night!

Traditions

Finding the right Christmas traditions has been stressful for me in the past. With everyone on their social media soapboxes blasting their opinions how how many presents you should give (only three, like the wise men!) why you're evil if you have elf on the shelf,  and how to make gluten free treats, it kind of all got to me. So I've been experimenting and trying new things and trying to keep my mind clear, trying to find what will be special for us. 

And one tradition seems to rise up and take hold each year. Making gingerbread cookies. I just really love them and I think maybe it should be a monthly tradition. It was fun that Hazel is old enough to join in too this year.

I've given up frosting them, I always ruin them when I try. Thanks mom for the cute cookie stamps that saved Christmas this year.

Another steady and classic tradition is to decorate the tree. We put on some Christmas music, had hot chocolate and then watched a Christmas movie afterwards. When the kids are older Buck wants to adopt a tradition from his childhood of sleeping under the tree the night after decorating it.

Here are the girls' first Christmas ornaments.

Don't you decorate your tree in your underwear?

Another good one is to make something for those around you. This year for the gifts for our neighbors and friends we decided to make these peppermint candy dishes. I think they turned out cute! I almost love them as much as the candles I made one year.

And this year I think I found two traditions that will stick through the years. 

The first one was an idea from a friend. I went and checked out 24 Christmas books from the library and each night after the girls brush their teeth they come running out to see what new wrapped book is under the tree. It's been a fun little thing. It doesn't take much time to set up. But then not only are we reading a new Christmas story every night, we are forced to take extra time to slow down and spend some peaceful story time together. But in case I'm ever accused of not "keeping it real" just know that this has been mainly a thing for June. Hazel is usually running around, trying to avoid bedtime.

The last one is something that my family did for a few years when I was a kid. You get a little manger and through the month you all do kind acts of service to those around you and each time you get to add some straw to the manger. Then on Christmas Eve we get to lay baby Jesus down in the soft bed of good works. It's simple, undemanding, yet motivating to keep the true spirit of Christmas during a crazy month. I found a kit HERE and it's simple and comes with a story to start the season out. 

June's been cute about it. She does little things like closing the dishwasher, throwing trash away, or giving us extra hugs and kisses.

 It's been a god month. What are some of your favorite traditions, old or new?