Pre-Christmas Festivities

We love the holiday season, especially all of the fun traditions that we do as a family. There is just something special about being together! One of our favorite traditions...building gingerbread houses.
Here are our masterpieces:

My pathetic house.., In my defense, I was busy helping the kids, then threw mine together.

Here is John's perfect house. He is so funny about these. He never wants to do it, then he takes his sweet time and his always has to look perfect.

My little non-conformist decided he really wanted to eat his.(I don't know anyone that actually eats these, but whatever makes the child happy.) What was so funny to me is that he hates eating anything new. It usually includes screaming to get him to try something for the first time, but for some reason his house was irresistible!

Easton's final product....delicious!!!

Another one of our favorite traditions is venturing downtown to the temple grounds. The lights are stunning, the nativities are awesome and just walking around the temple with family feels peaceful and sacred.

We also spent time with extended family. I didn't do a great job of taking pictures at these events, but I did get one that is a little funny. Every year my grandma has a breakfast for my dad's side of the family. There are quite a few great grandchildren. We decided to attempt a picture with great grandma and the kid-o's that were at the breakfast. This is the best we could do. Apparently there are so many different personalities in the bunch. Everything from jokers(notice the bunny ears) to covered faces to escape artists!

On Christmas Eve, we always get to open 1 present and SURPRISE it is always...NEW JAMMIES! There is just something cozy about new jammies!

And of course, we have to leave cookies and milk for the jolly fat guy....and as Coleton reminded us this year..."Seriously, leave the man a napkin!"

Easton's Preschool Program

Easton did great at his preschool program this year. He is doing so great in preschool this year. He loves his friends and is happy to go! I was expecting a bit of silliness from the child during the program, but he did really good. He even looked a bit nervous in front of all of the people.
This is his cute friend, Morgan.

His part was "And then in a twinkling I heard on the roof, the prancing and pawing of each little hoof. As I drew in my head and was turning around, down the chimney St Nickolas came with a bound."

Thanksgiving 2011

John's company was a corporate sponsor of a race on Thanksgiving morning. John and I of course had to run it. :) It was John's first race. He did great even though I think he wanted to kill me for talking the entire race. Apparently, he doesn't appreciate my encouraging remarks.

After the race, we enjoyed Thanksgiving with John's family. The boys played a game of football. John's nephew plays for Lone Peak High and it got a little rough between the two of them. John sustain the biggest, ugliest bruise I have ever seen. Of course, he would never let his nephew know. (Way to tough!!!) And John may have totally taken Richie out once or twice. (OOPS! It wasn't tackle John!)