Our Christmas

It seems like the Christmas season has been extra magical this year. I'm not sure if it's because of the ages of our kids, that we didn't go anywhere at all this year, that all the Christmas shopping was done and wrapped in early November, a combination of it all, or just "because"?? We'll never know for sure, but we do know that this Christmas was one to NEVER forget! We have all LOVED every second of it!!

Christmas Eve

This was the first Christmas Eve that we've EVER spent without family around. Although we missed everyone like crazy, we made the best of it. We baked cookies, sang songs, decorated gingerbread houses, had a yummy dinner with fancy glasses filled with sparkling cider and did the traditional Nativity.
This year I was Mary, Jonathan was Joesph, Ally an angel, Isaac a wise man, Austin a shepherd and Isabel was baby Jesus. It was perfect!
Ally nominated herself as the director. She got together everyone's costumes and had them all laid out. She also gave the boys a few quick acting lessons to ensure they would take it seriously...which they did. Austin was especially funny with his sheep (our 2 dogs). He made sure they knew they were to follow his lead and kept them right in order.

Our little wise man couldn't help kiss the baby Jesus at least 20 times throughout the performance.


And Isabel was right in character as she laid in the manger as still and peaceful as I've ever seen her be. We loved it!

We also opened the traditional pj's...they all take after their mother and love to "match".


We had our own little family Christmas concerts...which are sure to go down in history!

Ally lost the second of her two front teeth just 2 days before Christmas, so this was the perfect song for her.


The boys loved "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas" and have been singing it constantly!


This little nugget is one of my all time favs!


We then watched the "Santa Tracker" on the computer, put out some milk & cookies for Santa and some apples & carrots for his reindeer and tucked everyone into bed. Ally and Isaac were a little wound up...as I'm sure most kids are. They could NOT fall asleep. Ally was a little panicked that Santa would come while they were awake and decide to skip them by, Isaac could have cared less-he just wanted to be wild! Finally after watching "A Christmas Story", they were able to fall right asleep.

Christmas

He came and delivered! Everyone was thrilled!!





Jonathan: new car stereo (remember, his was stolen?), comfy shoes, computer speakers
Rachel: Kitchen aid, perfume, Mamma Mia soundrack
Allyson: Barbie Peek-a-Boo, American Girl doll, prism, butterfly garden
Isaac: Ultra Dinosaur, car track, dino stamps, praying mantis habitat
Austin: Choo-Choo train, dance cam, Mr. Potato Head, ant hill
Isabel: Animal Train, stroller, bug play set

Christmas BEST!

We all love to get dressed up the Sunday before Christmas in our new Christmas clothes. What a special time of year!

Dad and the kids


Mom and the girls

Seeing Santa

This year we got to see Santa 4 times: the mall, ward Christmas party, Ally's dance performance and Jonathan's work party!! I kept thinking that the magic would wear off, but it didn't at all! They have decided that the real Santa was the one at the mall who remembered everything about them and they're pretty sure that all the others were just "helpers". I guess we'll never know, but one thing is for sure, he definitely heard their requests this year..Ally-Barbie Peek-a-Boo and Tinkerbell movie; Isaac-Ultra Dinosaur; Austin-Choo Choo Train. I have no hesitation in saying they were definitely good this year!! These are pictures of the kids at Jonathan's work party.

Isabel's Seizures

OK, so she doesn't really have seizures. But for a couple of weeks every time she wanted you to hold her she would do this hilarious thing where she'd scrunch up her nose and flap her arms until you hold her-and sometimes it looked like a seizure. I guess it's a better alternative to crying :). She doesn't do it any more, so we are extra glad we got this on video because it is SO FUNNY!!

Ally's Dance Performance

Christmas is the season for performances...and so Ally got to put on a little show with her dance class. She LOVES dance and it's so much fun to watch her.

Isaac's Concert

This year Isaac's preschool was asked to perform at a local high school's Chirstmas concert. It was DARLING!! He was SO precious. He walked right up, stood front and center and sang in his most QUIET voice! We were all so proud of him!

Christmas Lights

Arizona may not get snow for Christmas, but we make up for it in Christmas lights!! Lucky for us there are 2 houses in our neighborhood who usually make the evening news for the amount of lights and yard art that adorn their house this time of year. The entire month of December cars line up the streets to look at all the lights. At night it is something to behold...let's just say they are not going for a "classy" look! During the day...well, it kind of looks like a Christmas landfill.

But, the kids LOVE it to say the least and think it is absolutely BEAUTIFUL!! Every year they always ask us why we don't put up lights. This year we decided to put them up for the very first time. I'm always a fan of white, straight, simple lights, so that is what we decided to go with. Jonathan did such a GREAT job (he looks good even hanging up lights), they were perfect.


When we turned them on the kids were in awe, they couldn't believe their very own house had Christmas lights on it. After about 2 hours of them being up, they shorted out. Of course I laughed and Jonathan wanted to cry to think that all his hard work was for nothing. So, we fixed them only to have the same thing happen the next night. Luckily Jonathan is also very smart and figured out how to quickly fix them...and we've enjoyed them ever since! One night we were all out looking at our house and Ally piped up and said, "I'm just so worried that cars are just going to drive by and no one will stop and look!". Oh Ally, that is the point my dear, that is the point!!

3 Little Boys Thanksgiving!

All growing up Jonathan, his older brother Jeremy and younger brother Jamison were always called "The 3 little boys". So when Jeremy and Kelly and their little girls came to visit us and Jamison for Thankgiving we had a "3 Little Boys Thanksgiving". We jammed packed their trip with as many fun things as possible. It all started when the Manwarings arrived in their MASSIVE motor home! We had so much fun drving around the entire week while they were here. There was always a little disappointment whenever we would arrive to where we were going because that meant we needed to get out of the motor home. Our kids were in HEAVEN!! We had nightly concerts performed by Hannah Montana and Miley Cyrus, comliments of Ally and Gracie... went to a science museum... took cute pictures of the kids... visited Dr. Jonnie at the hospital... looked at Christmas lights... and so much more!!! We had the BEST Thanksgiving week ever!! Thanks for coming guys-hope you come back soon!!

As sad as sad gets

This is about as sad as Isabel gets. It is so funny because whenever she's sad she always says, "Ma ma ma ma"...don't they all!? She also is so funny now because if she see's you accross the room and wants you to hold her, she'll nod her head at you until you pick her up. It's pretty funny!

A note from Isaac's teacher

So if you read my blog you know how much Isaac LOVES school!! Ohhh, he really, really loves it-beyond all comprehension, HE LOVES IT!! I always wish I could be a fly on the wall just to see what he is like there. I've never had any doubts that he was anything but nice, but I still would just like to watch. We just got such a nice email from his preschool teacher that I wanted to post. "We love Isaac! He is such a great kid. He's so easy going always happy. I have never once had a problem with him. I would have a hard time being his mom and ever having to be stern with him~ that smile would get me every time...". And yes, it is very hard to be stern with him, Jonathan and I have said that many, many times. It's a good thing that we don't have to be very often!

A Sweet Duet!

Allyson has been taking piano this year...to say she loves it is an understatement! I never have to beg her to practice, which is so very nice! This is a video of her playing "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" and Austin singing along...which is unbelievably hilarious by the way! Ally figured out on her own how to play this song. I know absolutely NOTHING about the piano...so I was very impressed that she just plucked around until she came up with the song!

One Year Older and Wiser Too!!!

Uncle Jamison had a birthday!! Our family has been so lucky to live close to Jamie..there is NO one greater in our kids eyes. He just recently broke the news to us that he'll be moving to Provo in a few weeks, I'm not sure how we'll survive without him!! The good news is that he is "available" ladies...so if you know of any GORGEOUS (he's too cute for anything less), FUN (he is super, super fun-he's Jonathan's brother...it runs in the family), SWEET (I'm not sure we could ever tolorate anyone being anything but that!)and SPIRITUAL (yes, I just have to put that)-contact me...I'll be his self proclaimed dating agent...not that he needs one-but I like to be in charge, I mean-involved :).

Student of the Month!

Ally was nominated for Student of the Month in November. Words cannot even express how incredibly PROUD we are of her. This is what her teacher wrote about her, "Ally is such an extraordinary student! She is kind, warm hearted and easily makes friends. She is very responsible and is always ready to help out in the classroom. Ally always shows up, ready to learn with her best smile on! We are so lucky to have Ally in our class!"....And WE are lucky to have her in our home!