Lately- Delightful December

Mostly delightful because it's been warmer than usually. Although I'd still be fine if it upped that another 20 degrees.... k thanks bye.

Christmas shopping be like:

This is the most flattering photo of me so I figured I'd better share.

We've now officially joined the "lazy man's Christmas lights" league.

But at least I make festive pancakes sometimes. 

Playing at the Curiosity Museum

June, the eternal snuggler.

All of our snowflakes, Buck made some really cool ones!

Our church Christmas party was unique this year-It was "A night in Bethlehem" and everyone ate like a picnic under the twinkly lights and everything was like an old market. I was one of the singers and got to sit on the stage and play ukulele songs and sing my heart out.

Went to see "Cocoa" and Hazel found a new ride at the theater.

We've spent a lot of time in plumbing stores, flooring stores, and light stores lately. Usually our girls are with us suffering through it. But it's WORTH IT.

My dear friend/cousin Chelsea surprised me and took me on a date to a paint and ice cream night! It was so fun!

The girls got to go to a birthday party at some cool play place.

And then June got to go to another birthday party at a cute candy shop!

Buck and I got to go on a Star Wars movie date. People complain but we liked the movie a lot! 

Buck and I did another at home date night box. This time we made truffles and egg nog, played a Christmas carol game, and decorated ornaments and put love notes inside of them.

Grocery shopping with my Hazel tatik.

I've done a horrible job documenting it but the choir I joined this fall had several concerts during the holidays. I finally had Buck take a few photos at the final, big concert. I've really enjoyed being apart of this. I enjoy performing and solos and stuff but I think where my heart truly lies is in singing with a choir. There is something that transcends this earth when you harmonize your voice with others.

I wasn't the only one with a concert either. Here's June at her school Christmas sing!

School pajama day

And while we're on the subject of school, I volunteered to teach June's class about Christmas in Armenia. I was a little nervous since large groups of children is NOT my jam but I had fun and it went well. ;)

Our new house is feeling lonely and wants us to move in

Spent an evening at a small town diner with my girls and Buck. And it was just what we needed.

June and Hazel making garden step stones for Christmas presents for their family members.

I was in the kitchen one time and turned around startled to find this mermaid on the floor.

We went back to the disability center to sing everyone Christmas songs! I got my friend Claire to come play her flute also.

Found a little bunny in our home!

I just really liked this picture June drew of a "diplodocus."

June loves puzzles

My family came into town after Christmas. My parents ended up being sick two of the days and my sister was with her in law family but we did get to go to the dinosaur museum one day and that was fun!

Best moments in life.

Monthly temple date landed us at the Provo City Center temple this month. It's SO PRETTY.

Well it's Christmas Time, Pretty Baby

Merry Christmas to everyone! I hope everyone's Christmas went wonderfully and better than this photo shoot with my girls did.

Actually, despite my stress during this rushed photo shoot, we still got some pretty great ones

And ..... some pretty accurate ones as well....

So I don't know about you guys but this year I realized I'm an adult and I can make my own rules (I mean, within the bounds of the laws) and so we decided to have Christmas TWICE. Mostly we are tired of packing around all of the presents to other houses and we also want to be able to start some of our own traditions without forcing them on anyone else. 

So for our first Christmas Eve we had a fancy dinner at home. We had cheese fondue with french bread, apples, and broccoli to dip in it. Then there were stuffed mushrooms, shrimp cocktail, and chocolate dipped bananas and strawberries. So, yes, you guessed it, the girls had a dinner of bread and chocolate fruit.... But Buck and I really enjoyed the other entries as well. ;) I also enjoyed making a simple but fancy candle light table-scape.

 

And of course some sparkling (blueberry) cider.

And for dessert some cooked chocolate pudding with whipped cream and crushed candy cane.

After dinner we read the nativity story in the Bible, watched a few movie clips of it, laid baby Jesus in the "giving manger," sang Silent Night and then said a family prayer together.

And then it was time to set our treats for Santa and his reindeer, read the poem, "The Night Before Christmas," and tuck the girls into bed.

After they were all nestled and dreaming of sugar plums, Buck and I watched "The Nativity," my favorite movie to watch for Christmas, and then helped Santa. ;)

Christmas morning called to the girls in the early hours and up they sprang. They were thrilled with their gifts and had a grand time playing and taking a slow morning.

An dI got narwhal slippers that are HEATED. 

That afternoon we went to church for the music program.

And then we shipped off to Buck's parents house for Christmas Eve #2, which was also wonderful. 

We played a rousing game of White Elephant gift exchange:

The girls got Christmas pajamas:

And their Pop's read them, "The Night Before Christmas."

My sister in law and her husband also made the cutest "winter wonderland" decorations to make the large room sized toy closet into a cozy place for June and Hazel to sleep and I'm so sad I didn't get a good picture of it before the girls messed it up! But just know that they had the best place to sleep that night. And they also left cookies for Santa again.

Christmas morning #2 also woke the girls up early and excited. They did gt a few more small gifts, like glow stick things. haha

Which is apparently all I took photos of that morning.

And of Jade in the mess after all the unwrapping.

And of sleeping Jan

The rest of the day (and couple days we stayed there) was spent with some serious relaxing time. 

Cousins bonded.

Games were played.

Books were read.

Creations were made.

Lounging was a sport.

And some of us didn't even bother with pants.

Video games were reborn in Buck's life.

And the celebrations ended with sunny 50 degree weather and playing outside!

So here's to two Christmases back to back! 

Merry Christmas!