Lots of Christmas Traditions

(She's got the pink shirt on)

Ellyn and Coulson played basketball this year.  They both learned a lot and really enjoyed it.

Unfortunately Ellyn's team, the Starzz, didn't win any games but they improved a bunch and she is looking forward to playing next year.

#30 He's great on defense.  Not afraid to get hurt.

Coulson's 1st grade class did a short Christmas program and then the parents were welcome to go to their classroom to help make gingerbread houses.  He is such a fun kid. I loved watching his imagination create his cute little house.

Piano Recital 2013

They did SO good.  I'm glad they have stuck with piano.

Their teacher, Peggy, is the most patient, kind, amazing teacher ever!

School Choir Concert.  

Quinn and Coulson are in the school choir, they put on 

a great Christmas show. After the choir sings the school kids

all sing some songs together.  I was sitting with Adi's kindergarten

class because her teacher plays the piano for the choir.  

Coulson came and sat by her so this is the best picture we got from the day.

Christmas Cookies.  

What usually happens:  Make a bunch of cookies. 

Eat until they get sick of Christmas cookies.  No need to 

make sugar cookies until next Christmas.

Caroling:  

Each year as we deliver our Christmas gifts to our friends,

teachers, and neighbors, we carol to them.  This year we did it a little different.

We dressed up as characters in the nativity and sang only nativity songs. 

Except I don't think the angels wore a big red, and green flashing bow on their heads.

Ward Christmas Party:

Seth & I were asked to play the part of Mary and Joseph in our ward program

(I've secretly always wanted to be Mary for a Christmas program, 

but thought I was too old for that now so I was excited when they asked us.)

Seth went all out and made a great costume, patterned after the one Joseph wears

in the new Christmas Nativity the church put out.  Yes, he can sew, and did

a wonderful job growing a beard and even coloring it and his hair for the part.

Christmas Gingerbread Train

Family Christmas Puzzle:  

We are all pointing to at least one piece we added.

 Our skinny Christmas tree.

It's amazing how it becomes a part of your family

while visiting for a month.

Bald Eagle Viewing:

This time of year the Eagles, not just bald, come to roost in some big cottonwood

trees, near our house.  We love to go count them and watch them fly around.

 Christmas Eve Tree!  

On top of a peak at Three Peaks Rec. area

 Going out to look up in the sky to see if they can see Santa coming. 

(Rudolph's nose)

 Christmas Morning:

They get to go into the living room in age order.

Can you just feel the excitement!??!!

Christmas Skates

We went down to the school so they could try out their new skates.

New Years Eve Fireworks!

Quinn's lego creation.  He has been adding on new things each day.

San Francisco 49ers stadium.  Scoreboard, jumbo-tron, ticket office, blimp, parking lot, etc.

Other traditions we didn't get pictures of;  Our Christmas Eve family home evening, coloring in our Twas' the Night Before Christmas coloring book, sledding, more Christmas goodies, taking each kid shopping individually, wrapping presents, treats out for Santa, and more I can't think of.  Christmas is busy FUN!