Merry Christmas 2012

12/15/12

picking out our tree

and having a snowball fight

visiting Santa at his stop in the neighborhood

(on our way to a basketball game)

12/16/12

decorating the tree

this is Kyralyn's ornament for the year

--you are loving the ability to read-- 

of course we need all of the ornaments you make at school in 1st grade too

Parker's gift for Nana & Papa

Kyralyn's

she made a winter, spring, summer and fall picture for them

--and nothing means Kyralyn like glitter!--

Dallin took the time to write them a note

(short, but not too short, and sweet)

12/20/12

Kyralyn brought home her gingerbread house from school

12/22/12

the kids love opening packages when they come in the mail

---I haven't made them wait for the big day...much to Paul's chagrin---

Thanks Aunt Katie!  You're the best.  

12/23/12

yep, she wore it again the next day, making it look just a bit different.

12/23/12

our "scones and stories" evening.

This year, Dallin suggested they read their own stories...good idea. 

12/24/12

Dad's been promising Parker a sushi outing...they went on Christmas Eve.  They brought home a roll from Tepenyaki to share with me...Dallin got brave, tried it...and didn't dislike it.

thanks for the hats Aunt Katie!

Kyralyn got a special gift today:  she got to have some playtime with her two special friends.  With school, lessons and busy families, they don't get to play as often as they used to.

they helped with the sugar cookies; when you're six, the more frosting and sprinkles you have the better.

 We spent our Christmas Eve on a slow & icy drive through Electric Park at Thanksgiving Point to see the lights and then a visit to Grandma & Grandpa.  Later we read the story of Christ's birth from Luke and the kids got to open their Christmas pajamas.  After Kyralyn was in bed, the boys got to help Santa (Mrs. Santa actually, since Santa fell asleep with his daughter!)  We'd planned to play a few games, but it was clear that all were tired by then!

 

12/25/12

"the picture"

Christmas morning was fun for all.

It was Parker's turn to pass out the gifts, 

we took our time,

we laughed,

we wondered,

an effort was made to hide the occasional disappointment

(Parker didn't get a dog or a Nike Elite basketball - he didn't want the Under Armor ball he did get!),

and we were reminded that giving is just as special as getting!

 

Thanks to Aunt Tammy for more awesome Denver stuff.

Kyralyn loves her "American Girl" doll.  Her given name is Audrey Ann but Kyralyn calls her Adriana.

Yikerz!

We played, ate and rested for the day.

In the afternoon we went to Lincoln's house for Christmas dinner.  They did up a delicious turkey with all the fixins.  It was fun to be together.

The next few days we got to play with Tate and in the snow quite a bit.

Dallin & Parker even got some gym time to play and practice basketball.  (not very much this year though, kind of nice that way).

There were a few sleepovers with cousins and lots of late nights (which also means late mornings!)

12/27/12

12/29/12

I had just dropped Dallin off at practice and was headed to the gas station when I saw our mileage...

I do love my car...

most of these miles mean lots of memories to our family

(but maybe its time for a new beginning!)