Christmas Tree Trimming

Since we were back in Utah for the holidays, I really wanted to relive my childhood tradition of cutting down our own Christmas tree.  I loved the tradition growing up and I thought my kids would like it too.  There is a place we could go within an hour of where we live, so I was determined!  But Cory had to work like crazy in December, unfortunately and that included most Saturdays!  So unfortunately, we didn't make it this year, but I will hold out for next year.

So as soon at Cory got off work on the first Saturday in December we headed out to find a great place to get a tree.  We found this pretty cute little family tree lot, Merrill's Family Tree Lot.  It had great affordable trees and reindeer and it was like a few miles from our house!  I guess you can't beat that!

 The kids checking out the reindeer.  I was pretty excited about them myself!

 Not sure why Lily is sticking her hand in there!

 This one had a pretty impressive set of antlers!

 Will was so excited and just really, really wanted a tree!  He'd stop in front of every single one and ask if we could get it.  He was quite dismayed that it took us so long to decide on the perfect tree!

 See, here he is demanding we get this one!

 I thought this double decker bus was pretty cool.

 We finally found the perfect tree.

 Look at this creepy photo!  Alien Will!

 After a brief stop at Walmart for lights, we got to trimming the tree.

 It's this little girls first Christmas!

 All the kids had so much fun making Christmas, as Will kept singing!  Making Christmas, making Christmas!

 Will kept right on making Christmas all the way up until the day.  Meaning he just kept taking off ornaments and putting them back on.  He loved it so much!

We are all pretty thrilled to have our first Christmas back in the states and in the cold!

Christmas Crafts, Parties and more!

We have been so excited for our first Christmas back in America and in the cold!  But where was the snow? We were all hoping and praying it would be a white Christmas.

Our first event of the official Christmas season was our ward Christmas party.  They got a great Santa and Mrs. Claus to come.  The kids loved it!

 Will wasn't so sure about this guy.  But he did get a candy cane.

 Then the kids got to do lots of great crafts to take home. The ward put on a lovely program and I only put this picture in because if you look at the far right of the stage, there's the little Will rascal!  He was certain he was supposed to be part of every performance!

 Once again, we were nativity-less!  And when I went to go find one, all the stores I went to were out. Now I'm sure I could have kept searching and found one, but when you have to drag kids around two stores wears you out!  So I found this cute foam one that the kids got to make and it was so fun!  So we called it good for this year.  One day, I'm going to have a huge nativity collection, because I love them.  But that will have to wait for one day. :)

 This little pill was so cranky this day and the only place she wouldn't cry was in the sink.  She looks pretty happy there!  And Sofie was perfect sink size!

 She seriously played there for like an hour!

 So, of course, her little buddy had to join her!

 We had a few ornaments that Cory and I saved when we moved to Australia, but we definitely needed more to decorate our tree.  So we tried our hand at salt dough ornaments.  It was fun, but I think we didn't do them completely right.  But they worked for this year! :)

 Will has become quite the craft lover.  What can you expect being surrounded by girls!  But he is very manly about his crafting!

 Lily arranged this little nativity they made for like the millionth time since Will kept trying to throw all the pieces in the tree.  And when she had finished this time around she declared that this was the best way to set it up.  I came over to see what this best way was and I was touched by the profound meaning I got from her nativity arrangement.  All the people were facing the Savior.  I agree, Lily, a Christ centered life is the best way!

 Here the kids are at the mall Santa Claus.

 These little ride on things are also at the mall.

 Love that big girl Sofie!

We had a great start to the holiday season.

Gardner Village Elves

When we were down in the Salt Lake area over Thanksgiving, my girls wanted to go to Gardner Village and see the elves.  It's such a charming place and it was such beautiful weather, how could I say no.  Sara came with me and we brought McKinley along and left Sofie behind.  It was a great little outing.

 These two besties.

 The displays are so fun!

 This Lily has gotten so goofy!  What a character!  I love her!

 Lily and McKinley and their matching pants!

These two!!

 All three!

 Haha, I just love this picture!!  They're all sitting on this bench and if you look above them there is a mistle toe!  And I totally looks like Will and McKinley are trying hard not to be caught underneath it together!  Hahaha!

 I didn't mind getting caught under it with any of them!  I'd kiss them all!!  :)