I did the twelve days of Christmas for Dan this year.  I did little things each day like pictures of the kids, treats, gift card, gum.  One of the days I got him a gift card to the Anniversary Inn and some sparkling cider.  He's not all that big on sparkling cider but we both LOVE the anniversary inn.  One romantic night away can make you feel so relaxed and more connected.  I was ultra stressed out this Month for a lot of reasons.  I just got a new calling as the primary chorister, we've had car problems that we just couldn't get resolved, and of course all the doctor visits with kates broken arm.  We also met our deductible this year so  I was trying to squeeze in every last possible medical issue before the end of the year.  I love Christmas but with all the party's and shopping, and baking I was just really burned out.  It seems like when I'm pulling late nights every night we just don't make time for each other. This get away was really needed.  I felt so relaxed.  We stayed in the secret garden room and I felt totally transported back into time.  I felt like I was in an Anne of Green Gables movie.  We walked around temple square lights.  The Temple is just stunning this time of year.  It always amazes me how the church does such a fantastic job with the lights.  Below is a picture of us together in front of the Joseph Smith memorial building Christmas tree.  It was interesting this year the top half of the tree was gold, and the bottom half was pink.  I told Dan it looked like they started from the top and then ran out of ornaments so then they just had pink ones for the bottom.  I would love to make this a new Christmas tradition for us.  It was probably the best Christmas gift ever, just having time together, enjoying each other with out any stressors.   

Pictures with Santa

 

This Year we managed to get pictures with Santa Clause again.  My only regret was that  I didn't get one with all the kids together.  There was a pretty long line, so I hated to take up to much time, plus I have to really threaten Kirk about taking pictures now days.  He just doesn't like getting them taken.  I tell him taking a picture with Santa is kinda a prerequisite to getting presents.  I am starting to wonder however, when kids get to old to see Santa Clause?  At what point do I let Kirk off the hook in taking pictures with Santa...... mission age?  Jence on the other hand was in seventh heaven.  He absolutely loves and adores Santa Clause (as you can tell from his picture).  I was really proud of Ben for taking a picture with Santa this year.  Most years  I have to literally photo-shop him into the picture because he won't see Santa Clause.  Ben has always thought that Santa was creepy.  Maybe this one at the Symphony was a little classier than the Walmart one we went to when he was 3.  We had the opportunity to go to the Symphony with Santa Clause.  It was a Symphony performance designed for kids.  They played a lot of really up beat holiday music and at the end Santa Clause came out for an appearance and even conducted the last song.  I think This particular Santa had a pretty good background in conducting music.  He did a great job.  The Symphony was amazing.  I loved every second.  I told Dan that I think in Heaven there will be live symphony music on 24/7.  It makes me hope and dream that Kirk will continue with his talent of the cello.  I would love to see him perform in an orchestra some day. 

 

Jence and Ben playing B-Ball

We have been busy with basketball the last few weeks.  Yes Jence who isn't even potty trained yet had his first basketball camp.  I thought it would be a complete waste of money, but Jence jumped right in and played. He was dribbling, and shooting and running.  He loved every second of it you can tell by the size of his smile.  Most important he got a sucker after the clinic.  Ben also joined up on his first "real" basketball team.  He did awesome.  He scored at least 2-4 basket's each game.  He and his cousin Max were on the same team and between the two of them they won the games for the entire team.  Ben is a hustler and isn't afraid to get in and steal the ball.  Dan coached and it required a lot of patience.  He did awesome thought and Ben just loved it. 

 

Christmas Eve 2014 was really fun.  We started the day off by the kids going over to my Mom and Dad's house to make cookies for Santa and watch a Christmas movie.  It was nice because I had a few extra errands to run and a couple of last minute things to finish up.  I was so appreciative of my parents for taking the kids for us.  Then we headed up to Grandma and Grandpa Mower's house for Christmas eve dinner.  It was so delicious she made a prime rib dinner and it was really good.  We acted out the nativity scene and Kate sang Silent Night.  Then the kids got their matching pajama's from their Grandma and Grandpa Mower.  Our tradition that the kids do is that they also get to open their stockings on Christmas Eve.  This is a tradition that was started with the Black side of the Family.   I can remember waiting so anxiously all night for my Mom and Aunt to pass out the stockings.  Inside was always a little white box of hand made candies and chocolates that My Grandma Black made herself.  It was so special to have my own little box of candy just for me.  I am not as good about making candy, but the kids got a candy cane, legos, pokemon cards, (boys) Barbie clothes (Kate), and a tooth brush and orange sticks.  We tracked Santa on the Santa tracker and discovered he was in New York City so we got out the milk and cookies and sent the kids off to bed.  There was absolutely no snow at all when the kids went to sleep, and when they woke up it was a complete winter wonderland.  What a wonderful white Christmas!