{Christmas 2013}

We baked cookies this season as we do every major holiday only to find out that Maisey doesn't like them (eating them I believe)! Well, 8 hours baking and decorating isn't much fun to me either but Ryley and Chad seem to enjoy it so I'll keep with tradition!

 Apparently the elves wanted in on the action because we awoke and found this one morning!

I sewed 6 burp rags and need to sew many more I'm sure! About 7 weeks to go and things are down to the wire!

 On Christmas eve we visited the Ancient Life Dinosaur museum. Ry had been asking and we don't use our membership nearly enough! 

 Christmas morning began at 6:15 with my daily wake up call. Ry is the perfect alarm!

 The kids were happy as clams!

 Eagerly trying on new pants from Grandma and Grandpa.

 Maisey was excited at this Eiffel tower wall art along with 2 other Eiffel tower décor items she incorporated into her room!

 Christmas morning breakfast with cherries and strawberries.

 We built Lincoln Logs; checked that off my list of childhood faves!

 The day after Christmas we rented a hotel in SLC for a quick staycation. Since moving here in March we have never been away from the house one night!!!! If we were in OR, we likely would have been gone 4 weeks so this was much needed.

Ry made a new friend at Build-A-Bear. Santa knows I hate stuffed animals but Ry was head over heels!

 The kids also enjoyed ice skating at Gallivan center next to City Creek and temple square.

We watched and froze our rears off. The snow as been on the ground, although cleared here, for 3-4 weeks now. Luckily, we enjoyed hot cocoa while spectating!
I enjoyed after Christmas sales and got the girls the most adorable swimsuits E-V-E-R!
We also had a fabulous lunch at my fave place, The Cheesecake Factory.  

This was a very unusual holiday for us but it was enjoyable nonetheless.

We enjoyed caroling on Christmas eve and having neighbors over for a nice brunch.

I wasn't the greatest at taking pics but you get the idea!

We hope your holiday was enjoyable too! 

{It's the most wonderfull time...}

We've been watching TONS of Christmas movies. We have also been sick over here for 2 weeks! Respiratory, sinus, flu- all the works.

This year the kids wanted to make a gingerbread village instead of a big house. To each their own- I'm pretty sure Maisey won't go for such little ones in the future.

He believes! This is the grumpy, I don't smile or have a voice Santa... I think I still saw a twinkle in his eye.

We've had snow for 2 weeks and the kids are loving it (I don't think it's going to melt either). I'm doing much better than I ever imagined it but it's still gives me anxiety the day it snows and for a day or so after.

 The snow- and salt make for a horrible mess. Needless to say, the car washes are packed!

 After dealing with being sick for a week we thought they were better enough to go to Temple Square. Well, this was directly after school on the way there. Had I known, I would have kept them out of the cold snow.

 Hard to tell they had fun but they did!

 Ornaments at Macy's- made from CANDY!

 I liked the elephant the most!

It was beautiful- and crowded!

 The manager

The wise men

 Joseph and Mary with Jesus in the reflecting pool.

 Asian nativity

 lanterns were EVERYWHERE!

 Next, we drove to look at residential lights in millionaire neighborhoods- nothing as impressive as Eugene!

These elves have been hanging out and "surprise" us each day. 

{Festival of Trees}

The Festival of Trees was going on this weekend so we decided to skip the ward Christmas party (aka same potluck menu as Halloween, and I'm a potluck hater) while the weather was good and take in the festivities.

I've come to the conclusion I'm obsessed with gingerbread houses; that was my favorite part!

 I loved this little Victorian house!

 BYU fans for sure!

 I loved this cottage!

 This bear cabin reminded me of the in-law (the bear fishing in the front left particularly).

 There were tons of beautiful trees for sale! All proceeds benefited the Children's hospital.

 My favorite set! I own many of the things that were on the set so that would make sense!

 An interesting crane tree.

 The green are frogs: maybe the princess and the frog?

 Bubble blowing!

 Afterwards we went to Thanksgiving Point to drive through the lights.

 My in-laws used to snowmobile race so I had to take this one; Chad always talks about the fun he had on these machines growing up!

 Advertising the tulip festival.

 A beautiful manger!

Nobody makes as good as divinity as my Grandma!!! I tasted a sample and figured it was worth spending $4.25 on 4 pieces only to take a bite and have it crumble in my mouth- boo!