Luck would have it that our oven would stop working right before Thanksgiving.  It was a good thing we spent Thanksgiving at my parents house in St. George.  After we returned home the beginning of December we had someone from Sears come out to take a look at it.  We were extremely thankful when the only parts that needed to be replaced were the panel board and the fan.  With Christmas coming up we did not want to have to buy a new oven. 

This year we really wanted to do something nice for someone in need.  We found out about a family who needed a little extra love this year.  With a few other families we were able to help this family out with gifts, clothes, and a tree.  We decided to pitch in and get this family a fresh tree.  The kids had fun picking one out and then we delivered it for Family Home Evening.  I think we were all humbled when we witnessed the need of this family.  I hope we will be able to do something like this every year during December.

I wanted to do something different with the tree this year.  Over Thanksgiving my mom and I went to this really fun store where we were able to see lots of pre-decorated trees .  It was fun to see how they decorated with big ribbon.  I found the perfect ribbon at Costco this year and had so much fun trying something new with the ribbon.  I think it turned out great!

Sometimes I think Abby feels left out that she is the only one of the kids without glasses.  We will often find her roaming around the house in her pink or teal 50's glasses.  She will wear them for hours at a time.  Oh Abby, it's only a matter of time until you will need glasses just like the others.  Until then...enjoy your no glasses phase!

I needed to take a photo of Mike one morning for his moonlight package for Memorial Hospital. When looking at photos to give him I realized I didn't really  have any photos of him by himself.  That is sad.  I need to remember to take more solo photos of Mike.  I'm so lucky to have such a handsome husband!

We took the kids to see "Mary Poppins" at the Colorado Springs Fine Art Center tonight.  It was SO good.  I was impressed by the caliber of the actors and how great their voices were.  The musical ended up being quite long--3 hours to be exact.  We didn't even realize it was that long because we were entertained the entire time.  Everyone sat in the front row except for me and Abby who sat behind everyone in the second row.  Abby was so much fun to watch.  She would go back and forth between being tired and all out mesmerized by the familiar songs.  I think it is safe to say that our favorite song was, "Step in Time."  I am so glad we all got to see something so incredible the day after Christmas.  

Even though most of the snow had melted from our backyard, Mike and Abby went outside to try the new sled.  Abby had such a great time being pulled in the tube sled by Mike.  Now, we just need more snow.  I have a feeling we won't have to wait very long for more snow.

The girls have really enjoyed building various tents to play in over Christmas break.  They finally realized (with the help of mom) that if they used a big enough blanket the tent would stay up better.  Their latest creation actually held up pretty well and they were able to sleep in in for a couple of days.  

I always laugh when I read the Nursery Rhyme, "Diddle Diddle Dumpling My Son John."  Not until recently did I finally understand the true nature of this rhyme.  I will often find Andrew with his church socks on the day after church and sometimes I only find him with one of those socks on.  I am not sure how he can wear just one sock.  Boyhood truly is a mystery to me.

This year the kids in Andrew's Sunday School decided to start monthly parties where each of the kids would host a boy/girl party at their house.  Andrew decided he wanted to do a New Year's party for the kids in his class.  It's been great for these group of kids to learn to socialize better with each other and to just have good, clean fun together.  For food Andrew decided to have chips, pizza, popcorn, peanut butter balls, dipped oreos, and dipped strawberries.  For decor I had fun making the streamers that sat above the food table and some silver balls to resemble the ball being dropped in Times Square.  Andrew thought the balls were a bit overboard, but then again, that is what a boy would think.  For entertainment I set up and put together a photo booth for the kids with my iPad and a new app called Simple Booth. The kids got to be in total control.  Each session took 4 photos and put them in a classic photo booth strip for them to either email or print.  I had the printer all set up so they could enjoy the photos immediately.  There were also some fun photo booth props they could use.  At first I wasn't sure the boys were going to get into it but after seeing how much fun the girls were having the boys jumped right in and had fun as well.  The kids played lots of games: Apples to Apples, Jenga, Heads Up on the iPad, Truth or Dare (innocent style), and Mario Cart on the Wii.  They even had fun watching some Studio C.  While the chaos ensued down in the basement, Mike and I watched movies with the girls in the living room while gorging ourselves with peanut butter balls, Oreos and strawberries.  Peter got to spend New Year's Eve with his best friend Dallin at his house.  Every 30 minutes they popped a balloon off the wall and inside there was something fun they could do.  He LOVED being able to be with his friends on New Year's Eve. 

We had all decided that we wouldn't start Christmas until after 7am on Christmas Day.  Even the kids agreed to it.  Since our upstairs is open to the living room downstairs we also told the kids that they had to stay in their rooms.  There was absolutely no peeking.  Lucky for us they are older now and listen pretty well.  At 7am I got the boys and brought them into the girls room.  After everyone was finally gathered and Mike was all ready we sat the kids at the top of the stairs and took our traditional photo.  I think my favorite part of the entire day was what happened next.  I walked down to where the gifts were with my camera and then when I am ready I tell the kids to come on down.  They sprinted down the stairs like their life depended on it so they could see what Santa brought them.  I LOVE the expressions on their faces as they see what is waiting for them by the tree.  This year from Santa Abby got the American Girl Doll Snack Cart, Emma got a Kindle, Peter got The Lonely Mountain lego set, and Andrew got a blue iPod touch.  The rest of the gifts were opened rather quickly and before we knew it we were sitting in piles of gifts and wrapping paper.  Before everyone dispersed to play with their various new gifts, we ate our traditional cinnamon rolls and milk. The rest of the day was spent being completely lazy lounging around in our pjs, playing with our new toys, and taking a nap.  

Mike finally got his man purse.  

Andrew gave Emma a little tutorial on how to use her Kindle.  He is so good at that kind of thing!

Mike gave me a standing mirror for our bedroom.  I have been wanting a good one since we moved to Colorado.  

This was the gift we were all excited for Peter to open merely for its size.  He was surprised when he opened this gift from Grandpa Al.  It was a snow tube and boy was he excited.  With all the snow we would get this gift would be fun to try.

Mike gets a LEGO set every year.  This was a tradition started by his mom.  I seem to never get cool enough sets so this year I decided that had to change.  After realizing that all he wants are either planes, trains, or ships, I decided to get him a high speed train set with the station to go with it.  I can't wait for him to set this one up.

All Andrew really wanted this year besides the iPod touch were Apple gift cards.  He ended up getting 3 of them.  Lucky boy!

A few years ago when we were living in Japan Mike got me these UGG slippers for Christmas. Since all of our floors were hardwood and the hallways were always cold it was important to have a good pair of slippers.  Every year he gets me these UGG slippers.  They are not cheap but they are worn almost every day and that includes during the warm months.  I don't know what I would do without these slippers.  

It wasn't until the afternoon that Mike and I got the energy to clean up the mess.  We decided to all get ready and head to a movie.  Not realizing how crowded it would be we got to the theatre right when the movie was about to begin and was bummed out when we found out it was sold out.  So, we bought tickets for the next showing of "Night at the Museum 3" and went to get some dinner.  We ended up eating Japanese food and it was delicious.  Abby, Emma, and Peter got the kids dinner plate which had teriyaki chicken, rice, and tempura.  Andrew, Mike and I all got our own tempura udon dish.  Everyone LOVED the tempura and kept talking about how we should come back and eat Japanese again real soon.  Maybe eating Japanese for dinner will have to be another tradition we add to our Christmas Day! 

Everyone was so excited that this day finally arrived.  There is always so much excitement on Christmas Eve day.  Since we had been gone skiing over the last couple of days the kids had been pretty occupied.  Today everyone unpacked and just rested from our trip.  The only errand I had to do was to pick up the Ham and a few items at the grocery store.  I was thrilled that all of my shopping for Christmas had been done before our ski trip.  Our Christmas Eve dinner was simple yet delicious.  We had ham, hash brown potato casserole, deviled eggs, honey roasted carrots, Rhodes rolls, and sparkling cider.  For dessert we had our own jello creations that I made this year.  It had initially been intended to go with dinner but I completely forgot to bring them out so we had them for dessert instead.  It was layered jello with a creamy layer in between.  It was good but I think I put too much gelatin in it.  The kids were bouncing their spoons on the top because it was super stiff.  It looked beautiful but I think I will have to revamp that recipe so it is softer like regular jello for next time.

After dinner we left all the dishes on the table and went into the living room to have our Nativity program that we do every year.  The kids got all dressed up and acted out their parts while Mike read about the Nativity from Luke.  This year Abby was Mary, Andrew was Joseph and the Shepherd, Peter was all three wise men, and Emma was the Angel.  Grandpa Al sent us something fun for us to use this year in our reenactment.  He sent us the gifts of Christmas--gold, frankincense, and myrrh.  The 24 kt gold flakes were encased in a round clear ball and the frankincense and myrrh were authentic spices.  The frankincense had been harvested from boswellia trees in Oman and Yemen and the myrrh had been selected from the highest grade Arabian myrrh available.  Each one came with its own ancient looking box.  It was neat for the kids to use them while they reenacted the Nativity.  As always, Abby was the most serious in her role.  Emma and Peter got a bit silly.  Afterwards we all helped to clean up dinner, ate our jello dessert, and then opened up our Christmas PJs.  Then the kids and I quickly baked and decorated the sugar cookies for Santa.  This year we decided on adding a new tradition of watching, "It's a Wonderful Life," before bed.  We got through most of it before Abby insisted on being put to bed.  So, off we all went upstairs to brush our teeth, read, "Twas the Night Before Christmas," and say family prayer.  After the girls were in bed the rest of us went back downstairs to finish the movie.  I had forgotten what a great movie that was.  We will definitely be adding that to our list of things to do on Christmas Eve.  

This year we decided to do our trip to Steamboat Springs the couple of days before Christmas.  We picked the kids up from school on Friday and drove straight to Steamboat.  It was a hectic start when we realized that Emma had misplaced her snow coat.  After going back to the school and looking all over the house we called the bus office and found that it was still on the bus from the day before.  Luckily I was able to pick it up so we could leave for our trip.  We stayed at the Trailhead Lodge again and it was just as fun as it was last year.   

SATURDAY

We got up early today to get Abby to her ski lesson.  The thing I like the most about ski lessons at Steamboat is not only how nice and experienced the instructors are but how well they take care of the kids.  Each kid in ski lessons gets a GPS strapped to them so anytime of the day we can see where they are at.  Since Abby learned how to ski the green runs with us last time at Eldora we were able to put her in level 3.  She was so excited.  After leaving Abby the rest of us headed up the Gondola to ski the southwest side of the mountain where the well sought after Tomahawk run was. This side of the mountain was closed last year when we skied at Thanksgiving time so we were really anxious to see what the runs were like.  From the top of the Gondola we skied down Spur Run to get down to the Sundown Express lift that took us up to the highest point at Sunshine Peak.  At 10,384 ft we skied towards the Tomahawk run.  It was the best run ever.  The first two pitches were like a normal blue and then the rest of the run was rolling and more like a green.  It was just a fun run.  At the bottom of the run we got on the Sunshine Express lift and made our way back up to the top.  The weather was cold, overcast and it was snowing and some of our hands were a bit cold.  We decided to ski down High Noon to get to the Rendevous Saddle Lodge to warm up.  We got some hot chocolate and warmed up our hands and feet before heading back out again.  After leaving the lodge we skied down to the Sunshine Express and headed back to the top of the mountain again.  This time we skied down High Noon to lower High Noon.  Lower High Noon was a very steep blue run.  It was fun to be challenged.  After skiing down the Tomahawk run again we headed down to the Elkhead lift to get back up to the Gondola.  We made our way down the mountain via the Vagabond run.  After getting back down to the bottom we did a few easy runs before picking Abby up.  Abby had a great day skiing with her level 3 class.  She went up the Christie Peak Express to the top and skied down the Boulevard run all the way to Giggle Gulch and down to the bottom.  It was a great day for everyone.

SUNDAY

Today we got up and went to church.  It was a much smaller congregation than ours back in Colorado Springs.  We loved the spirit that we felt there.  After being uplifted we decided to get our gear on and take Abby with us up to do the Tomahawk run we had done the day before.  It was a fun day just being all together and skiing some of the easy runs with Abby.  We were so proud of Abby for sticking with us on the blue runs.  She was such a trooper.  She loved following one of us down the mountain while doing her turns.  For lunch today we headed to the Rendezvous Saddle Lodge like yesterday and ate our sandwiches and oranges.  We got hot chocolate and dipped our cookies in it and it was so DELICIOUS!  After we did a few more runs we decided to head back down the mountain.  After we got to the bottom we decided to do a few easy runs with Abby.  Mike and Peter went up a little higher and attempted to do the Vogue Run.  All would have been well but Mike hit a mogul after not being able to see very well out of his googles and heard a pop in his knee.  The ski patrol took him down the rest of the mountain and took him to their first aid station.  It was a bit of a shock for all of us.  Needless to say, I was worried and showed it a little bit with anger instead of compassion.  

MONDAY

This morning Mike went to the ER and had is knee x-rayed before meeting up with me and Andrew.  It didn't look to be anything too serious but nothing would be known for sure without an MRI.  Abby, Emma, and Peter took ski lessons today.  Since the weather was pretty bad and some of the upper lifts were closed due to high winds and ice, Andrew and I stayed at the bottom of the mountain.  We would have gone up the Gondola but the line was ridiculously long.  Andrew and I skied down Vogue (blue) a few times and then we skied down See Me (black) a few times as well.  We loved skiing down that black run. Mike met us halfway through the day and skied down the green runs just to be safe.  Right when we were getting ready to pick up the kids from their lessons a blizzard came sweeping through.  It was so bitter cold.  We picked Abby up right away from her level 4 class but waited for another 20 minutes for Emma and Peter.  Apparently they got stuck in the blizzard with their level 5 class as they made their way down the mountain.  We were so glad to see them.  We hustled back to the hotel and got our suits on so we could sit in the hot tub.  The hot tub every afternoon was probably one of our favorite parts of each day.  Tonight was special because Santa came to the lodge to see the kids and give them all a present.  The look on Abby's face as Santa walked through the door was absolutely magical.  

TUESDAY

On our last day we all skied together and went up the Gondola to ski some of our favorite runs like Tomahawk and Baby Powder.  There was so much powder it was amazing.  Andrew, Peter, and Emma went with me on West Side which was a black run.  It was more fun that I thought it would be.  We made our way back to the Gondola and headed down the mountain.  Mike and Abby took the Gondola while Andrew, Peter, Emma and I skied down Heavenly Daze.  We had been dying to ski this run since we got here but the visibility was always so poor.  Today we decided to ski down it and then to See Me to get to the bottom.  The kids all did so well not only on Heavenly Daze but also on See Me.  By the time we got to the bottom is was around 2pm.  We made our way back to the hotel via the hotel Gondola to warm up in the hot tub before getting on the road.  It was the perfect way to end our fabulous ski trip to Steamboat Springs.  

I had the opportunity to help plan Emma's class holiday party with my friend Jen.  We had so much fun planning the different crafts and putting everything together.  Instead of decorating Christmas cookies we had the kids decorate Christmas trees.  We used ice cream cones and put them on a sugar cookie and placed them in a plastic cup and lid to be used as the carrying case when they were done decorating them.  The kids loved them.  The kids also made shrinky dinks.  Later they played holiday bingo and the winner during each round got to wear the coolest candy cane hat.  All throughout the party we had a photo booth going on where the kids could use holiday props and take silly photos.  The photo booth was a total hit with the kids and even some of the teachers.  We had other moms with their kids from other classes sneak in to get a photo.  At the end of the party each of the kids got to take a Polar Express bell.  It was such a FUN party.

For Family Home Evening tonight we put together and decorated gingerbread houses.  Peter and Emma decorated one house and Andrew, Mike and Abby decorated another house.  I've learned over the years to not even attempt to make the gingerbread but to just buy the kit.  The kits I got this year came loaded with not only the gingerbread but the frosting and all the candy to go on the house.  Everyone had a blast putting together their houses while licking the frosting and eating some of the candy along the way.  Mike was the master with the frosting since you needed a strong squeeze to get it out.  Andrew and Abby choose to name their house after Abby, which made her extremely happy.  Peter and Emma choose the name Scribbles to go on their house.  We had a spanking good time!

Today we took the kids skiing up at Eldora.  We knew we needed to go somewhere that would be a good place to teach Abby how to ski and luckily Eldora was added to our ski pass this year.  It was the PERFECT place because there was an area entirely dedicated to easy runs and first time learners.  There was even a fun zone where the kids could ski through the trees and a tunnel.  It really was magical.  Eldora had the coolest magic carpet area I have ever seen.  The magic carpet (Tenderfoot) was double sided and there were at least 4 lifts in this big area where you could ski all green runs.  Mike and I took turns helping Abby learn how to be confident skiing down the easy green runs.  I helped Abby on the magic carpet by getting her to be confident in her turns and her stops.  It only took 2 times on the magic carpet before we headed to the Little Hawk chair lift to ski down Ho Hum.  Luckily Abby remembered how to get on and off the lift and was such a trooper her first run down the bunny hill.  Mike took her down some more green runs while I took the other kids to the Challenger Lift by the Lodge to ski down Powderhorn.  All three of the older kids are good enough skiers now to ski down the hard blues so I was a bit surprised that Peter was having a hard time.  I thought he was just scared and so I gave him a bit of a hard time when we got to the bottom and then sent him over to ski with Mike and Abby.  It turns out that one of his boots was just loose and so it was hard for him to turn when it got steep.   I felt like a horrible mother for jumping to conclusions instead of checking his gear.  Andrew, Emma, and I went up the Challenger Lift again and then skied down Jolly Jug.  We thought this would be an easier blue but it was just as steep at Powderhorn.  We all loved it!  We met up with Mike, Peter, and Abby back over at the green runs and I think all of us were completely shocked when we saw Abby go at SPEED down the hills.  The funniest part was watching her put her right hand up in the air as she speed down the hill doing "french fries."  It was so hilarious.  When we asked her why she put her hand up she said that she does it when she is only skiing "french fries."  It was adorable.  She took me through the fun zone.  We skied together as a family on the greens for the rest of the day and we had absolutely the best time ever.  Even though the runs were a bit easy for the older kids we all had so much fun just being together.  

Mike took the day off so that we could go skiing together for the first time of the season.  We headed up to Copper Mountain and had loads of fun skiing our favorite runs off of the Timberline Express.  This was the first time we got to ski on our new skis.  Mike loved skiing on his new Atomics and I loved skiing on my new Volkl Kenjas.  We skied down American Flyer and Windsong and stuck to those two runs most of the day.  The best part was that there were NO LINES all day long.  As usual, it was a gorgeous blue skied day up at Copper Mountain and there was no where I wanted to be than with Mike on our ski date.  I was so grateful we could spend a fun day together!

The first week in December when our Elf on the Shelf comes to our house we have a big North Pole breakfast before the kids go to school.  This was something we started last year.  Our menu included pancakes, berries, mini powdered donuts, marshmallows and a big glass of milk.  Last year we were lucky enough to get a girl elf to join our long time elf, Jack.  The kids were really excited to see Jack and Jill again this year.  I love that there is still magic in the air when the Christmas season finally begins. This year Jack and Jill encouraged the kids to remember that while they were celebrating this year they should remember to be kind and think of others.  I love that!

This was Mike reading Jack and Jill's note to the kids.  

I am so proud of Peter and Andrew for doing incredibly well in their winter band concert.  This was Peter's first band concert and he did great.  He has really enjoyed learning how to play the trumpet this year.  The 6th grade beginning band played 5 songs this concert:

Up on a Housetop
Jolly Old St. Nick Duet
Sakura, Sakura
Jingle Bells
We Wish You a Merry Christmas


My favorite song from the 6th grade beginning band was definitely Jingle Bells.  They may have had to start the song 4 times but it ended up being the song they played the very best.  

Andrew and the rest of the 8th grade advanced band played really well this concert.  They played 4 songs:

Sing, Sing, Sing
Cantique de Noel (O Holy Night)
Go Tell it on the Mountain
Russian Sailors' Dance 

My favorite song from the advanced band was Sing, Sing, Sing.  They sounded so professional for a middle school band.  I was truly impressed.  I was even more impressed to watch Andrew who was one of two trombones belt it out on that song.