I love the Christmas season. And not just because it’s my birthday. I love everything about Christmas. And one of those things is seeing Christmas lights, which is exactly what we did last night. We headed over to my parents house around 7 and all hopped into the back of Kevin’s truck. My parents’ neighborhood has gone all out this year so it was great to see everything. Plus the weather has been really nice so it wasn’t too cold out. We strapped Adalynn into her carseat and put her in the back with us. Not so much for safety but more so she wouldn’t be squirming around. And she loved it. She was so content to just chill and look around and talk to us. Mackenzie and Skylar were of course mesmerized by all the lights. Everything was beautiful and we had lots of fun.

When we got back to the house Skylar and Mackenzie immediately ran right up to my parents’ decorations. They have polar bear carolers that actually sing. Skylar felt like they needed a conductor.

Then we hung out inside for a little bit drinking hot chocolate and apple cider. Lauren was making truffles while we were there so Adrian felt we needed an action shot of that.

Today for both Family Home Evening and Day 17 we read the Nativity story. I actually had printed and laminated from pictures to go along with the story. I put magnets on them and Mackenzie and I used them while Adrian read the story. I think it really helped Mackenzie grasped the story. Here’s our magnets:

Well I’m off to watch a movie with Adrian. We got a free Redbox code!

Last night for Day 15 we had our ward Christmas party. I was on the committee helping with it. We did a Polar Express themed party and it was so much fun! We actually held it at the stake center so we would have a stage and it’s a good thing we did because we had TONS of people show up! We had set up 270 chairs and we actually ended up having to set up a couple extra tables and chairs as people arrived. My friend (and fellow Nursery worker) Holly and I were in charge of decorating the entrance. We covered the pillars with white plastic tablecloths and wrapped red duck tape around them to look like candy canes. Then I had made a huge Welcome sign that we hung over the doors. To finish off the look we used a white window marker to draw snow drifts on the bottom of the glass doors and put litle snowflakes on the doors. Here’s my sign:

We also were in charge of the letters to Santa station. Holly printed out some cute letter templates for the kids and I made a mailbox for all the letters. The primary presidency had set out some coloring pages as well so kids could do that too. We had arranged the whole party so that only one set of doors was really super accessible so we could keep the kids in the cultural hall. We had the movie Polar Express playing as well so the kids were having so much fun!

So we invited Lauren and her girls to come with us to the party. Of course the kiddos (and most of the adults) dressed in their PJs just like in the movie. Everything looked amazing. The sister in charge did an absolutely amazing job, as did all the helpers. Right when we walked in the doors the hallway looked awesome. There was this model train for the kids to look at, with snowflakes hanging from the ceiling. Here’s Mackenzie next to the train.

Our bishop dressed up as the conductor and punched our tickets as we walked in the door and a “junior conductor” was there to take us to our train car.

The girls immediately wanted to go color and write a letter to Santa so we did that while we waited for dinner to be served.

Dinner was amazing. We had two different pastas as well as salad and garlic bread. After dinner the Activity Day girls did a Hot Chocolate dance up on the stage (it makes sense if you’ve seen the movie) and then the hot chocolate bar and bake shop opened up. Yummy!

After the treats were all eaten we started singing Christmas carols. While we were singing someone special decided to join us…Santa! The big guy in red walked into the room and the kids were thrilled. Then the junior conductors had them all line up in a big train around the room and go up on the stage where Santa sat down. They were able to take a picture and tell him what they wanted for Christmas. Then he gave them each a candy cane and a bell (like the book). Oh and yes, Santa wears a cowboy hat when he comes to visit children in Texas.

Overall it was amazing. Everything went so well and I think everyone had fun. And it was great to see so many people there. Definitely a huge success. Adrian and I think it might have been one of the best ward parties we’ve ever been to. Here are some other random pictures we took.

Today was Day 16. We were supposed to have a lesson about the shepherds, but to be honest, we didn’t. Instead we enjoyed being kind of lazy this afternoon after church. And then we ate some delicious dinner at Grammy and Grampa’s.

Today was a really tragic day in American history. I am so sorry for the loss those parents and families have to deal with in Connecticut. I can’t even fathom someone taking the lives of innocent children. After everything that happened today, all I wanted to do was hold my children and my husband tight.

Anyway, yesterday we were supposed to sing carols for Day 13. Instead we went and ate dinner at Subway and then got some Frosties at Wendy’s. It was great just to spend the time with my sweet family. Both girls were so well behaved. After dinner Adrian and the girls went home while I went over to my parents’ house for game night with my mom and some of her friends.

Today we put up the second angel on our advent calendar. Some of the pieces have lessons that go with them, and today was our first lesson. We discussed the “good news” the angels brought and talked about the angels singing in heaven. All while talking about it we listened to Christmas music, specifically Bing Crosby.

Of course, I don’t have any pictures of this, but I do have some great pictures! Yesterday, Adalynn learned how to clap! Yay!!!

I also took a picture of my wonderful husband and my sweet daughter reading scriptures together. Lately Mackenzie has been wanting us to read little pieces and she “reads” them after us. We don’t mind because she pays better attention.

For tonight’s activity we were supposed to read Christmas books while drinking hot chocolate. Unfortunately we didn’t get to read, BUT we did get to drink our hot chocolate while doing something equally fun! Every year our fire department goes around to the different neighborhoods. They turn on all their lights and sirens and blast Christmas music and bringing up the rear on their ladder truck is Santa! And not only is Santa there waving to everyone but he brings some elves who throw candy to all the little kids. It’s awesome. Well tonight was our neighborhood’s turn so we bundled up and waited outside. We played hide and go seek for awhile and then drank some hot chocolate. It’s hard to tell when they’re coming down our street so we just waited outside. Plus Mackenzie was SO excited.

Adalynn had actually missed her morning nap and had gone to bed early so she missed out. But we figured that was ok since she wouldn’t even know what the heck was going on and wouldn’t be able to eat the candy anyway.

Adrian’s had a couple late nights at work this week already (yep it’s only Wednesday and he’ll probably have another one tonight) so we’ve fallen a little behind on our advents. But that’s ok! Christmas isn’t about adhering to a super strict schedule and then strssing when things don’t go perfect.

Anyway, Day 9 was on Sunday and we had family dinner at my parents’. Originally it was supposed to be at our house but we moved it because my parents have a Wii and I received a new game to review for my blog….Just Dance Disney! I am so excited I get to review it (coming tomorrow). So of course we had to try it out, specifically the two little girls. I’ll give you a little spoiler of my review: they loved it! Here they are dancing it up:

Day 10’s activity was to do a Christmas craft. Originally we were going to make salt dough ornaments but I didn’t have enough salt and Adrian got off work too late to pick some up and be able to make them. But we actually did do some crafting because Mackenzie helped me paint he grandparent presents. Of course I can’t post a picture because it’s a surprise. But she did awesome and she loved being able to help.

So when I made the advent calendar it was like 80* outside everyday. This past Monday a cold front hit, bringing the high down to the 50s. Keep that in mind. So yesterday’s (Day 11) activity was supposed to be stargazing on the trampoline. But it was freezing and we didn’t feel like getting all bundled up. And then Adrian started feeling a little yucky. So we just played. No big deal.

It’s been a busy couple of days so I’m lumping some of our advent activities into one post.

On Day 6 Mackenzie was very excited because our activity was so make Christmas cards. And this girl had only one person on her mind of who she wanted to send a card to: Andrew Barber. Yes Shiloh, you’re son will be receiving a Christmas card from my daughter. Mackenzie believes she is in love with Andrew. She tells me on an almost daily basis that she is going to marry him and that he loves her. Granted she hasn’t seen or talked to him since August, but hey. So this is what she had me write to him:

Hi to jellyfish Andrew,

Merry Christmas and ho ho ho to Santa. I love you and I miss you.

Love, Mackenzie

Yep. That’s my girl. Here are some pictures from our card making:

For Day 7 we were actually supposed to write a letter to Santa, but to be perfectly honest, we didn’t do it. We were waiting for Adrian to get home, but when he got home he suggested we go out to dinner at Olive Garden and then go play at the mall play area, so how could we resist? We had lots of fun and the girls were so well behaved at the restaurant.

Today was Day 8 and it was a big day…it was Santa day! But before I get to that, we actually had some friends come over for lunch today. They’re Pakistani and brought over some delicious food to share. It was fun to spend time with them and hang out. Then after they left we headed to the mall. I can’t even begin to tell you how excited Mackenzie was…until she fell asleep in the car. But no worries, when I woke her up when we got there she was still perfectly happy to go see Santa. And bonus! There wasn’t a line! There was exactly one kid ahead of us when we walked up. It was awesome. Both girls did great. Mackenzie gave a big old smile and was actually a little bummed she couldn’t sit and chat with Santa longer. Then Adalynn found him simply fascinating, as evidenced by the first picture of her. She was perfectly content and not scared at all. And she even got to wear the same dress that Mackenzie wore when she saw Santa for the first time! Hooray!