The Last Week Before Christmas..

Here are some things that we did this week:

Sunday~ The primary sang at church and it was sounded so wonderful. Kate sang too- I curled her hair, so cute!
After church the kids and I went to sing at a Nursing home nearby.
They all especially loved James:We had a fabulous dinner at some friends- thank you!

Monday~ James got on the naughty list:

Bruce got on the nice list:


Tuesday~ During preschool we read "The Gingerbread Man" and then we baked gingerbread men and decorated them:

Wednesday~
We delivered lots of presents and the kids even got to do "Secret Santa" with Brad. We also saw Santa on a Fire truck- we love living here :)
(James looking outside)

Thursday~
I got to help at Jane's classroom "Holiday Healthy Food" party and that was fun!We gave her teacher a great gift.

Friday~
We "Christmas Cleaned" this morning and then in the afternoon I took Jane, Bruce and Kate to see Tangled. Then we went to some friends for a delicious "traditional" Christmas Eve.
When we came home we got to open our "Pixie" present. My sister Melissa in Texas had us and she sent a really big box:

In it there was this~ SO EXCITED!!!

and this:and lots of Mexican/Texas foods. (Those Ritz are so good)
THANKS Lissa and family!!

Cookies, pictures, books, ornaments, and soccer...

This week we continued to get ready for Christmas:
Tuesday- Read lots of Christmas books- we love books (and a HUGE thank you to Grandma D. and Grandma M. for their packages with more books.

Wednesday- We colored Christmas pictures:~ by Bruce~ Christmas circles by Kate

Thursday- Kate went to story time at the library and decorated this cutie:We also got Fabulous ornaments in the mail:
(Grandma Damstedt sends the kids ornaments every year- Jane got a note, Bruce got a Santa, Kate got a cupcake, James got a bear.)

Friday- Last day of soccerShe got a certificateJames was so proud

He's 31 & more Days of Christmas

Yesterday B turned 31~

We made him a great breakfast, he opened presents, and then he went to work.
2 hours later he was back home because he forgot his laptop and the roads were a mess so he decided to work from home.When the kids came home, they played in the snow, we drank hot chocolate, had chili-dogs for birthday dinner, and birthday doughnuts!

He was in Germany last week and brought me back this:and these for the family (2010 Games of the year!)(Sunday we played the games and went to a Stake Christmas concert.)
Monday~ we had Family Home Evening about the symbols of Christmas.

Tuesday the kids got a giant book and Kate loved reading it.We've also had fun building Lego towers that touch the ceiling (Saturday)*The walking video didn't work- stay tuned.

Parties and Peek A Boo!

Yesterday we had a fun day
- well some of us did- Jane has strep throat so she stayed in bed most of the day.

We played with friends, our dad came home from Germany!!, Kate had soccer, and then we went to our ward Christmas party.

They had a table to decorate graham cracker houses:Eat cotton candy:and sing songs:

Last night we also opened our advent and it was a Shelf Elf

Ours is named Douglas

James has learned to play peek a boo ~ sort of:

St. Nicholas, more Christmas & not so much snow...

Here's what we've been doing this week:

On Sunday night we put out our shoes and they were filled the next morning:

Every night the kids get to open an advent box and tonight's had to read a Christmas story. We have lots of them and I think we'll read a different one very night. Tonight we read:I love this book because it reminds me of the song my mom and dad used to sing about all the "friendly beasts" in the stable and the things they did for the baby Jesus.

Tuesday:
James and I had Birthday Brunch with my beautiful friend Megan and then we had a birthday lunch for two more of my beautiful friends pictured here:

Happy Birthday Friends!
We also had the sister missionaries over for dinner:

This one is for my sister Melissa- we don't have too much snow here (6 inches?) and the roads are clear. Just south of us is the "Snow Band" and they get lots of snow.

This morning I was setting up for playgroup ... and James found the candy:

(Bruce was counting his money to see what presents he will buy for everyone.)
We hosted playgroup (Thanks for Coming!) and had lots of fun decorating cookies.

Tonight we're off to my friend Carolyn's for a "single ladies" dinner. Fun times!

Countdown to Christmas..

Merry Christmas Everyone!

(Here's some James love for you Joanna)

This month we are doing special things everyday with our family (thank you to those of you who have inspired me with this idea.)

On December 1st we played in the snow!!

We didn't get as much as cities south of us, but still had fun.
(I also went to our RS Christmas program and they gave these out- so great!)

December 2nd: B took Jane on a special date to see the Nutcracker (they also did a canned food drive)

December 3rd: Bruce got the Christmas pillowcases out and on the pillows (thanks Jill)

We also put lights on outside and got everything ready to decorate our home.

December 4th: Breakfast with Santa at B's work.They had lots of crafts
We decorated cookies

James wasn't so sure about Santa

Tonight we also went to our town tree lighting (Kate waiting)
and got hot chocolate and cookies.
We can't wait for more fun next week:
*our tree
* Christmas cards: I just found out about this Shutterfly deal from my sister!
*Advent boxes
*missionaries
* and more!