Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve I spend a good part of the morning making a few pies for Christmas day and then in the evening we headed to Cory's parents house. His mom made a really nice candlelight dinner for all of us, Mindy's family and Cory's grandparents. Unfortunately Mindy had 3 sick kids so they ate dinner at their home and then joined us shortly after on Skype for our Christmas program.

Briggs read the Christmas story to everyone, Ethan danced, Brooklyn and I sang Popcorn popping and Once their was a snowman (complete with actions) and then Cory played silent night on the guitar. It is a fun tradition.

When we got home the kids set out cookies and milk for santa, opened their jammies and then exchanged their homemade gifts they made for each other. Ethan was so excited for Cory to open his envelope with a picture he'd colored inside that he practically opened it for him. It was so cute and then he gave everyone big hugs and kisses; he was so happy.

Before bed they each got to set out their stockings for Santa (a tradition from Cory's family). The boys chose the sofa and Brooklyn the chair.

Looks like Santa came; they were good kids afterall...for the most part ;-)

Santa even left them a note; they were so excited to see that in the morning!

After the kids were all nestled in bed Cory and I got to play a game my mom made us for Christmas; which was really fun. One of my favorite gifts being the family home videos that were put onto DVD's for our viewing pleasure. We had a great time watching them together.

Christmas Day...

The morning started out around 7:15; not too shabby considering Cory and I stayed up until almost midnight watching/laughing at the home-videos my parents sent us from 1984-87. It was so surreal as I watched my parents at the same stage of life as Cory and I are currently in. Cory kept saying to me, I feel like I'm watching Briggs run around with long hair; the resemblance/mannerisms/bossiness (oldest child syndrome) between us at the same age is truly uncanny. It was really fun!

Briggs with his Philadelphia Eagles uniform

Ethan was his super-cool racecar/monster truck

Brooklyn so excited about her princess dress, shoes, earrings, necklace, purse etc.

I think we're asking for it if you ask me...

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The aftermath...

After presents we had a german pancake breakfast and I got busy making rolls for lunch.

Around noon we headed to Cory's parents house for a yummy ham dinner that Judy prepared; it was really nice. Shortly after the kiddos got to open their gifts from Grandma and Grandpa Hansen.

Brooklyn got 3 more princess dresses/shoes. She is in princess heaven and I've been changing princess outfits ever since.

The boys so excited about their race cars; they really are fun!

Miss Aubrey

Skyping with Cory's sister Jodi and her family in Texas; gotta love skype!

Decorating gingerbread houses

My little creation

(Notice the purple princess dress on the left, and the pink on the right; the poor girl has another ear infection and wasn't feeling all that great)

It was a nice day filled with good company, some good laughs (ie. skyping with my family after we got home), yummy food, pecan pie and being together. But most of all I am grateful for our Savior Jesus Christ; the real reason we celebrate Christmas and the season!

Santa visit...

A few nights ago we took our kids to the mall to see Santa; they were really excited! Briggs almost forgot what he was going to ask when it came time to ask Santa for the gift that he would like, a Philadelphia Eagles football uniform, but he did a good job. He also colored a really cool Power Ranger picture for Santa (not the traditional Santa letter but he got to put it in Santa's mailbox; it was cute!).

Ethan loved playing with Santa's gloves and got a little shy when it came time to tell Santa that he'd like a remote control car for Christmas.

Brooklyn was excited to see him and Briggs helped her tell Santa what she wanted; a cinderella dress.

(Click on the image and hopefully it will get bigger)

After Santa we ran into Old Navy for a few things and the kids found some fun accessories as we were waiting in line and I snapped a few pictures! Little sillies is all I have to say!

Salt Lake City

This past weekend we made a bit of an impromptu trip to Utah because my cousin Robbie got married (in the Salt Lake Temple) and we wanted to go and see him and his family (whom we absolutely adore!), and because it's been over 4 years.

On our way down we stopped at Temple Square and enjoyed dinner at the Lion House, which is in Brigham Young's old home; that was fun. After dinner we walked around for about a half hour before the lights all came on. I thought it was fun to watch how the sky changed within 30 minutes. Here are some pictures I took of the temple.

Taken at 5:05

Taken at 5:13

Taken at 5:34

And here are some of the kids being silly

Oh, I love those kids; who were driving me absolutely crazy with all their running around after we arrived! I guess that 3-hour sedentary drive gave them the liberty in their minds to run around like crazy kids; which they totally took ownership of! I guess kids will be kids!

I tried to get them to look at me but there was a helicopter flying overhead and they were enthralled

Silly boys!

Brooklyn kept trying to take the paper-bag covers off of the lights that lined the sidewalk.

Ethan loved the orange tree behind brooklyn because he LOVES Boise State and he is all about Blue, orange and white! The boys did NOT like the pink trees and told me over and over. I thought they were pretty; but I am a girl!

The lights on Temple square are remarkable and we knew the kids would love it; we did too!!

Best buds!

Briggs being goofy. The kids loved this reflection pool.

After Temple Square we headed down to Provo to check into our hotel, get changed and then head right over to the reception in Springville. I have to say it was one of the MOST beautifully decorated church gym receptions (and church) that I'd ever been to that I forgot where I was. It was really stunning! Not to mention the company was great and the desert selection incredible! Unfortunately I didn't take any pictures but it was fun to see Robbie and his new wife Katie and to see their family. We also got to visit with Nick (my cousin) and his wife Lisa! As always, it is so fun to see family!

We got back to our hotel around 9:15 and the kids were in bed right away. I was crossing my fingers that they might sleep in but around 5:45 the boys were giggling and making each other laugh in the neighboring bed. So the day started out a little earlier than I was hoping for...actually WAY earlier than I was hoping for. We had breakfast and then went swimming; which the kids of course LOVED!

On our way home we stopped at Thanksgiving point to see the big I-Max movie about Sue the T-rex and then headed home; making a short stop to see Cory's parents along the way. It was a quick trip but we're glad we were able to make it!

Here is what Ethan was wearing in the back seat when he thought no one but Brooklyn was looking at him. He wasn't thrilled that I thought it was funny and was taking a picture! That is our Ethan!

Goodies, crafts, and Christmas program...

This week has been a busy one...I spend Monday and Tuesday making holiday goodies for our friends and neighbors...pumpkin rolls, my Grandma's holiday chocolates, and these yummies down below, chocolate cookies with peppermint frosting (soooo good!) It was fun to watch the kids carry and deliver them to our neighbors and when they'd open the door they'd yell, "Merry Christmas!" It was fun!

Then I decided to make these homemade fur wreaths I saw online. I went to DI and bought these two wreaths below. (I would definitely stick with the straw wreaths as the wood one didn't turn out as good as I would have liked; I was trying to do it on a budget $4.00 for both)

I tore them apart and started fresh...

I started gluing the fake fur on the wreath. A 1/2 yard at JoAnne's for $7 (or less if you have a coupon) and it took about 10 mini-glue sticks for both wreaths.

The finished product. I think maybe it needs a fun bow, but it turned out pretty cute!

I LOVE this one below! I think I'll make a couple others next year for the blank spots on my wall.

This week we also got to attend Briggs first Christmas program. He did a great job and looked so handsome as they performed two songs; unfortunately our video camera wasn't charged! It is so nice to live close to family as Grandpa and Grandma Hansen got to come and enjoy his program with us.

After every song Brooklyn would say, "Ok, my turn!" She was so devastated that she didn't get to go up there and sing.