Christmas Day

[2013]

Christmas Eve

[2013]

Pretty Lights and a Jolly Visitor

[Dec 23, 2013]

We have a Festival of Lights where we live that runs for the whole month of December! It was a fairly warm evening when we went, so that was nice! The lights were beautiful and the girls were captivated.

When we got home, we heard a knock on the door, followed by a "Ho, Ho, Ho!", We couldn't believe it!!! Santa decided to pop in and say hello!

Santa and a Gingerbread house

[Dec 11, 2013]

We met a friend and her daughter for a play-date at the mall this morning. It was great fun chatting, climbing and releasing some energy!

After play-time was over, we deiced to go see if Santa was visiting! He was! The girls were so excited and the line was pretty short!  They both hesitantly walked up to him and Aubrey let me put him on his knee.

After they took the photo, Santa asked the girls what they wanted for Christmas. Aubrey quietly said, "Ariel". Olivia said that she wanted "a Turkey". Santa was surprised by her response and told her,  "I'll be sure to bring you something very special".

Then, it was nothing short of a miracle when I put Simon back in the stroller....and he fell asleep!, Aubrey hopped onto the top of the stroller and ate her candy-cane, and Olivia held on to the side of the stroller (eating her candy-cane) and we walked ALL the way back to the other side of the mall, out to the parking lot to the car without me having to chase ANY children. Seriously, a miracle! ;)

After dinner, we quickly cleaned up and pulled out the gingerbread house!

....and then it all came tumbling down...

...may as well eat the icing!....

Christmas Tree Time!

[Nov 30 2013]

Wes went to go play basketball at the church this morning, as he does most Saturday mornings! I wanted him to stay home and help me with the kids since he had an estimate to do right after ball. We compromised: he went to play ball and took the girls with him to his estimate. I was happy with that!

Simon and I went shopping! My hair straightener broke last week (just when I realized that I really need to straighten my hair all the time since my hair is just so weird and ever-changing with every baby that I birth!...). I saw the price tag of $229.00 and walked right right out the store!...I need to find one for a MUCH better price!

After a trip to the grocery store we all met at home, turned on the Christmas tunes, made a Christmas snack, and decorated the tree.

The girls loved looking at all the different little ornaments. We tired to tell them about some of the special ones...they didn't seem to care!...too excited.

Olivia's favorite ornaments are the two doves (inherited from Grandma Rolfson). Olivia has been taking good care of her "birds" ever since! She even put them to bed in the tree at night-time. And, of course, has been pretending she is one!

Aubrey had been complaining off and on since this morning that her ear hurt. Daddy took her to Urgent care.  6 hours later they came home with a prescription. He said she was perfectly patient the whole time. And, managed to fall asleep on his lap for 45 min.

After cleaning up the Christmas mess, making dinner, and preparing for the Sabbath, Mommy let Olivia  stay up extra late to watch a Christmas movie while I folded endless amounts of Laundry.

We are so excited for Christmas and are looking forward to serving others and making it simple and beautiful for our family.

Last Saturday of the YEAR!

[December 29]

I was hopeful that the girls would really sleep in this morning since bedtime came so late last night. At 7:30 a.m. Olivia came into our room...Wes and I were both still sleeping.  I told her it was still night-time (easy to say as it was still very dark out) and that she could come sleep with us. That lasted for 5 minutes. 

We enjoyed the slow start to our day. Pancakes for breakfast. Then, I started pulling the decorations off of the tree and just kept on going until all of the Christmas decorations were packed up and put away for another year.  I mostly did this...with a little help from the girls and Wes. In the background I listened to NuCerity Training on goal-setting. It was awesome.  

This afternoon we got to go to my dad and Jenn's. Dylan was there too. Charity, Naomi, and their families (minus Trevor). Olivia and Aubrey were fascinated by their bird, Buzz. Olivia got to feed him through the cage. And, he even danced for us! Exciting stuff!!

Gifts were exchanged, food was eaten, and memories were made. I love how often the girls get to see their cousins and extended family!!

Daddy put the girls to bed at 5:30 (lots of sleep to catch up on) while I ran some errands and continued working on the kitchen chairs (they are done now and I LOVE them!). Wes and I finished the evening off by reading in front of the fire.

Church tomorrow! Olivia's LAST Sunday in Nursery!!

Winter is here!

[Nov 24]

Winter is here. It was been for a while now...and is feeling very Christmas-y! So, naturally, we decided to put up the tree!!! We turned on the Christmas tunes and got to work! Aubrey spent most of her time bobbing up and down in front of the computer (where the music was playing). We had so much fun...the girls loved it! And, it's so pretty! :)