Christmas Decorating and Memory Making

Remember that one time when it was ok to be outside because you wouldn't freeze to death in the frozen tundra that is now where we live???

Well, on one of those last days of goodness, we decided to light up the house.  We've never done this before, because we didn't really care about lighting up the condo!

Brent coaxed Max onto the roof with him to get some help, and me and the ladies went to work on the porch.

Twas marvelous to say the least. We wound and wound those lights up every post on the porch...good times. Then, the lights were all different shades of red....hahah...i had no support from lights this year.

Max has been playing on a Bantam BBall team this winter. He loves it. He's getting better and better.

We were able to go to the live nativity in Alpine this year. With the hook up we had, it made it totally worth it and wonderful. You see, our friends live across the street from the entrance, so we got their early, and mozied over to the gate instead of waiting at the parking lot to get hauled over in the back of a trailer. Goodness it was fantastic. No two hour wait in line in the frigid air.  And we were first in line!!!!!

It was really cool! These people don's miss a beat.  There were roman soldiers all around, barking orders at everyone, and when you entered Bethlehem, there were all types of animals and people working!

the 3 wise men

Me and the camel gettin to know eachother.

I'd never petted (sp?) a camel before. Who knew their fur is soooo thick!!! And soft and warm! It was awesome!

Conli and the ducks/swans

As we left the workers square and ventured out to where the manger lay, we spotted the star!

And then we rounded a corner, and in a stable, all by themselves, in the dead quiet, were Joseph, Mary and Baby Jesus. It was awesome. So peaceful, so still, so reverent.

It was a cool experience. I think we will make it a tradition as long as our friends don't move!

The next day we went on the Polar Express that just happens to be in Lindon.

We got reservations and didn't have to wait too long. It was great!

Here we are waiting to board the train!

And all aboard!

If you haven't been on this train, picture with me, if you will, Silver Spoons- the train that they had in their house that they rode around everywhere. It was cute.

We drove thru the north pole to get to Santa's Workshop.

And the kids were so excited to see him!

Well, Sawyer wasn't, but after a little pep talk from her Dad, she gave it another go.

After leaving the Claus's we got back on the train and ventured on thru the life of Christ.  The pictures were beautiful. The music was too. It was another awesome reminder of Christmas for my kids.

Fin's hands got a bit sticky from the candy cane that she received from Santa even though she was mortified to go near him.

This is one my most favorite pictures of Christ. I love it.

And I loved how they depicted this. It was so pretty.

Our family that i love after the ride

And here's some randoms- Sawyer slurping her ramen. Teaching Fin how to "Lady and the Tramp" it up too.

And I've decided I am finally grown up enough to have a pretty tree, well, it didn't happen, but I made quite a few ornaments for it this year. Hopefully they'll last...

Every year, we go over, as a family, to Grandma Joan's to decorate her tree. It's a fun lil tradition. Eat some pizza, some oreos, some EL Fudge, and decorate. 

Cute girls with Grandma.

 Mom showing the boys something. Jd was very intrigued.

 Sissies.

 Chris, show me your dazzling lights!

 Max and Xan

 Mana and her boys.

 Finny even got in on the ornamenting action

 Ornamental boogies!

 blow your nasty nose!

 And ta-da the finished product!

Amidst the tree decorating, we were scrounging around in Grandma's depths of the basement....she is- how you say- a bit of a hoarder. But, the good thing, is that you can find old gems often! Karri and Breanne discovered some old vintage-straight from the 50's dresses hanging in the closet, and I got the nerve up to ask Grandma if I could have them and she said yes!!! Surprise! We usually don't get out of there with any of the old things ;)  

Well, I got home and tried them on and waddya know!? They fit. And they're quite cute!