Christmas Break

Well, it is now 2013, and we have had a lot of fun.  F was able to take all of last week off and we have had about a week and a half with our family together.  The Sunday before Christmas, we went downtown to Temple Square, walked around to see the windows at Macy's and went through the Visitor Centers on Temple Square.  We met up with all of my family and walked around the grounds to see the lights, and another look at the candy window displays.  Followed up with a delicious dinner at my parents house.  I love going to Temple Square and usually we are there late and miss going into the visitor centers. It was nice to see the displays, talk to the children, and to show them the Christus statue. 

Christmas Eve: My parents good friends had rented out a movie theater and invited their family and friends to join them. We were lucky enough to be invited and had a great time seeing Rise of the Guardians, and catch up with friends we hadn't seen for a long time.  Just as we walked into the theater, K was up talking to my mom and another girl I didn't know.  It ends up this girl is in K's school class.  Her grandma is sister's with Jill, who invited us.  Small world and great to meet her and her family (it is their first year at our school).  After the movie, we went over to F's parents house and played games, ate dinner, watched Scrooge, and had a great night. It had snowed most of the day, so driving was a little nervewracking, but we were save and sound. When we got home, the children were able to open new pajamas.

Christmas: The kids were instructed not to get up before seven.  F was in the shower at seven and I heard K and B playing in their room, followed by L coming to their door and saying, "It's not morning yet," and going back to his room.  Once F and I were ready, we let B come down first, followed by L, and lastly K.  When B saw her easel, she said, "School." The kids had a great time opening presents, and giving presents. I always love seeing the excitement on the kids faces when they see their presents for the first time.  L had asked for a bed side table (at one point in time), so we bought a small side table and glued on some lego baseplates. The table doubles as a place to display and play with his legos, and also a bed side table.
 When asked about Christmas, L said, "I didn't get anything on my list."  Which was partly true.  His list had changed daily for the whole month. He had asked for most of them over the several list changes. It also didn't help that K replied, "Well, I got everything on my list."  Overall they were both happy with what they got.  K has been taking endless pictures and videos with her camera.  After breakfast, we got dressed and made our first stop - my parents.  We opened gifts and ate some pancakes.  My parents got all the grandkids cowboy boots.  B and K have been wearing theirs any chance they can. We went over to F's parents afterwards and again more presents.  F's  parents gave us some food storage and emergency preparedness items, which are very helpful.  After playing a game and eating more food, we went to our last stop, my grandpa's house.  We again had food (I was actually to full to eat anything, but enjoyed the tradition slush). It was great to see some cousins and family we haven't seen in a few months, and some even a few years! What a day!!

Since Christmas, we have gone sledding twice, visited the zoo, slept in, stayed up, played hours of video games, ate too much, put two puzzles together (well, I did), read new books, drank hot chocolate, watched new movies, relaxed and had lots of fun.  For New Year's, it was a little more low key.  B went to bed at her normal hour, K and L stayed up until ten watching Goonies on tv.  F wasn't feeling well, so he was in bed before 11, and I stayed up rang in the New Year watching fireworks out in the neighborhood from our front window.  I can't believe how fast it has gone by and that today is the last day before we get back into reality.  But for now, I am going to go have some fun!