Early December

December is always a busy month.  I try not to over schedule myself or the boys, but it can be a challenge.  I counted and I hosted at least 8 events/parties in December!  I went to several other parties, too!  I think I’m partied out!

Every once in a while I did slow down and enjoy the scenery.  Like Bobby playing with toy food while wearing his Angry Birds hat.  He munch munched and shared his creations with me.

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Our first Christmas party was our ward Christmas dinner.  There was a contest for festive attire, so I made us glow!

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The boys just got holiday headgear …

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The program was a fun retelling of “The Night Before Christmas” with each organization adding a part.  The Elders Quorum played Christmas songs on the bells and the Primary kids sang a couple of songs, for instance.

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Santa and Mrs. Claus were the ones telling the story, so we snuck up for a picture when it was all through.  I don’t like standing in line for Santa, but this was perfect and Bobby’s face is priceless!

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Our family won the “Most Festive Family” award of the night!  Sigh.  We are cute.

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I have a whole collection of Christmas Little People Toys slash decorations.  Bobby couldn’t get enough of them when I pulled them out!  He also latched onto this little Christmas stuffed dog and needed to know where “Christmas Dog” was all December long!

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The Nerf gun wars are heated at our friend’s home – goggles required!  Except he was only playing against himself, so…

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We spent an evening at the Buck’s home.  We ate goodies and visited while we waited for the tractor Santa parade.  The kids even braved the cold to play night games.  The Nativity was home base.  Rusty loved the baby Jesus, but Billy just liked hanging out, leaning on a wise man.

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The Tractor Santa Parade is one of my favorite things.  Santa comes on a tractor pulling a trailer with carolers and the Grinch in a cage.

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They stop and give out candy and take pictures.  It is just delightful and fun and I hope they never stop!!

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I enjoy decorating the Christmas tree, but it is fun watching the boys add the finishing touches.

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Christmas tree, lights, stockings, and Mickey’s Christmas Carol … it’s beginning to look like Christmas!

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We put a train around the little tree and Bobby loved it!

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PTA took orders for “Straight Outta Hooper” shirts and hoodies and the order came in the second week of December.  I had over 500 shirts to sort and distribute.

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These boxes almost got decorated for Christmas since they spent too much time at my house waiting for people to pick up their shirts!

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The weatherman from KSL came to talk to the 4th graders and their picture made it onto the evening news.  Billy was very, very excited about it!  He was telling us about it at dinner when he suddenly stopped and said, “Wait!  What time is it?” Billy is on the second from bottom row, off center to the left in a red shirt.

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For Christmas gifts to our neighbors, we took out pomegranates, straight from California.  To make it more fun, Kevin and the boys carol as they drop them off.  I drove the get-away car with all the packages.  People seem to really enjoy it and the boys are getting better at their caroling skills.  Someday they could be professionals!

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