J + J: Together at Last for the Holidays

Penelope was sad when we put the Christmas tree away. She asked where the tree went and gave it a goodbye hug. How is Christmas over already?

Isabelle wrote a paper at school about her favorite holiday tradition and she talked about singing Christmas carols as a family. I will miss the music and the nightly Christmas stories/chocolate advent calendars, and the excitement.

Thursday, December 25

This season was extra special because my parent's are back from Brazil! My brother and sister and their families flew in and we had giant party after party.

My mom hosted all of my dad's side of the family for Christmas dinner. I made nearly 10 pounds of funeral potatoes, 48 rolls, and 7 layer dip.

We also had birthday celebrations for Dorothy who turned 1 and Esther who is 10. The only thing that was missing was Joel.

Read on to see far too many pics of my favorite holiday of the year.

Choir

James and Isabelle had an amazing opportunity and got asked to sing in a children's choir. The director is in our ward and last minute got asked to get a youth choir together to sing along with the Draper Philharmonic orchestra. I'm grateful she included my kids. Isabelle was the youngest member of the choir and only 1st grader! She learned the 2 songs well and had the biggest smile the whole time on stage. One of the last choir rehearsals was canceled and she was upset and shed some tears. She wanted to go sing with the choir every chance she could.

The kids had several practices and 2 performances at Skyridge High in Lehi. My parent's and Grandma came.

Friday, December 19

Christmas Sunday

This year I opted for getting new accessories instead of new dresses and sweaters. The girls got matching red velvet bow/headbands. The boys got Christmas socks. Andrew sang in the choir, and I sang in a small women's group and last second accompanied the primary children. After our church service, Izzy and I went to my parent's ward to watch their Christmas program since my mom wrote it and arranged the music.

Sunday, December 21

Santa Take 2

The first time we went to see Santa, Penelope wanted nothing to do with him. Good thing there was another chance at school/daycare. Apparently she had no fear and went right up to Santa and was very brave.

Friday, December 19

Spongebob

I wouldn't recommend this movie but I've never really been a Spongebob fan. Penelope made it through the movie! I didn't have to take her out once. This movie wasn't too long. My kids had never seen Spongebob and James was especially intrigued. Chris, Rob, and Andrew went to see the new "Avatar" movie too. That doesn't tempt me in the slightest. It is 3 hours and 15 minutes long. Need I say more?

Tuesday, December 23

Gingerbread Houses

Jessica had us over for a Christmas craft, hot chocolate, pizza, and decorating gingerbread houses. Oh what fun we had!

December 13

Christmas Eve

My girls helped me make dozens of sugar cookies to decorate! We went shopping for each other at "Five Below" this year instead of the dollar store. James got Isabelle a K-pop Demon Hunters poster. She exclaimed "this is the best gift you've ever given me James." Isabelle got James a water rocket. James got Penelope a squish mellow. Isabelle got me makeup brushes. James got Andrew checkers. On Christmas Eve, we had pizza, the kids got matching pajamas and cousin crew tshirts, acted out the nativity, did cousin/sibling gifts, and sang karaoke. Jill brought a new fun game that we've been playing lots called "First to Last."

Penelope got a custom, "I want chips" tshirt embroidered by Lindsey! And Ms. Rachel jammies! She did not want to take them off.

Christmas in Color

Watching lights in the bed of a truck is pretty cool for little kids. Though hearing the music back there was tricky. They didn't care too much.

Friday, December 26

Christmas Wrapping Paper

Can you guess which kid got which paper?

Christmas Card

Anniversary

We've been married for 13 years! Woah! We celebrated on Saturday, December 27 (instead of Sunday, December 28). We did sealings at the temple and got Mexican food at a restaurant we hadn't tried before--Chungas which has excellent reviews and friends have raved about. My mouth was on fire and I didn't even get the spicy sauce. I'll order something different next time. We were impressed with the place and got free drinks because it was our first time. Andrew got the hot sauce and started to sweat but loved it. Many thanks to Jeff, Lindsey and Esther for watching our kids! We don't always get to celebrate our anniversary in December due to the business of the season, so we are extra grateful.

Saturday, December 27

We've found time for pickleball and we continued our tradition of making salsa for my parent's friends/neighbors. The grandkids helped deliver it. This post made a dent in what we've done (and I didn't cover everything), but there is still more to come. Here we come Luminaria and Soldier Hollow.