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!"