Ugly Sweater Party 2015

 We had another great turn out for this years Ugly Sweater Party!

 Robyn made these amazing cookies!!

 We started with some games and treats before moving onto the favorite- white elephant gifts!

 I actually really loved the gift Ryan got- a nutcracker.. with a beard.. 

 Of course like most years, Neinah's the grossest.. 

 We have such amazing friends, thank you to everyone who came! Such a fun night!

 Of course Neinah won!

Yank that beard off and she's beautiful!

It really feels like Christmas now!

Ella's Ugly Sweater Party

 Since we've changed to ugly sweater from kid friendly to only adults, that meant Ella missed out.

So she decided she wanted to have a party on her own.

We were so happy that so many of her friends were able to come!

Ryan's always got to get in on the action..

 They started out playing some games.

 Then it was time for the white elephant gifts!

 Ella actually got some nice body wash.. 

 And then the chaos ensued.. 

So glad I actually got some of those dance moves on video! LOL!

So happy and grateful for Ella's wonderful friends!

Winter Dance Recitals

Lila was so excited for the recital until it came time to actually go out in front of everyone..

Love that solo!!

 Pretty happy when it was all over, especially since she got a special ballet slipper necklace from her teacher!

 Now Lilly's turn! She wasn't nervous at all!

Such a fun day! Sure love watching these girls dance!

It's December!

 Now that this guy is officially 8 years old he is finally able to go to CUB SCOUTS!!

He's been looking forward to this his entire life.

So happy!

 It was so sad because actually he ran over to his den leaders house and it had been CANCELLED!.

Jack was SO sad, just have to wait one more week.

 Ella's first school choir concert. She loves to sing!

 She is my sassy girl..

This is my life... Everyday.

 Sometimes I have a contest to see who has the best eyebrows with my sisters.

 I didn't win.

 Love having all of Christmas out.. Maybe we have a little too much..

 Jack wishes that I could have lunch with him every single day.. (Which I should take advantage of since someday he wont feel that way) So I surprised him with a happy meal.

He was so surprised and so happy.

 Lilly got to go on a field trip with her preschool to go see Santa at the mall. It had been a crazy couple of days. After a long day of work Ryan knew that I had a million places to be all at the same time and called to see what he could do.. He was able to go with Lilly and have some special Daddy- daughter tie. I loved having his help, it was so needed this week!

 Got around to wrapping the first of the Christmas gifts! I can't wait!!

 Well great... Now she said she knows what she's going to ask Santa for this year...

 Jack got to pick a country to research what their Christmas traditions were and then present it to the class. EASIEST project ever!!

 Every year the neighborhood puts on a little Christmas program..

Lila was so naughty.. she ended up sitting on the teachers lap for almost the entire time.

Yep, that was my kid screaming..

 Lilly got to sit with some of her good friends Cindy and Savey!

 I found this on my phone.. one of the kids obviously took it. :) 

Lilly learned how to draw hearts and now gives me little slips of paper with hearts all over them everyday. This one was left on Ryan's night table.

Live Nativity

 One of our most favorite things to do at Christmas is to go see the Alpine live nativity.

Lila was seriously scared of the soldiers!

 We walked around outside and saw lots of animals before heading inside to the market.

 The kids learned how to do many new skills and learn more about where Jesus lived at the time of his birth.

 Finally we made our way to the small little barn where baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph were.

It's always so sweet to see a real newborn baby and to feel the special spirit there.

I am so thankful for my savior and the blessing and excitement to remember his birth.

 We ended the night with some yummy hot cocoa before going home and getting warm jammies on!