Christmas Sunday

Everyone knows December gets crazy busy. It's part of the holiday fun. But this is possibly the first year I've ever had such an insane Christmas Sunday! It started off well enough, with awkward pictures on the front porch in Christmas outfits:

(Did I mention the gorgeous weather this December???)

Grandma also snapped a few inside:

Seth (post-shower hair, pre-tie)

Aaron (removing yet another "ball" from the tree)

Princess (also post-bath hair, and returning one of Aaron's "balls" to the tree)

We enjoyed a lovely sacrament meeting full of Christmas music, then I got to direct the Primary in putting on the Nativity reenactment, which is always one of the best Sundays of the year. Thanks to Mom & Dad for helping me run the show (and for dealing with a non-functioning microphone while narrating!). 

Immediately after church, we got to attend the Eight is Great fireside with Seth and his friends. I'm still in complete shock that Seth is turning eight. This is his (huge) class full of awesome kids and AMAZING teachers--I've been waiting for Seth to have the Bradys as his teachers for years! 

Eleven kids. Bless you, Bro & Sis Brady!

And then, to add to the fun, we had a piano recital that evening (which, I have to say, was totally scheduled before any of the rest of this. We thought we were being so clever having it on a Sunday when life is less crazy...ha!).  My students performed, as well as the Carmanys and Tabor's students. The Knoxes were so kind to host us all.  

Seth played "Angels We Have Heard on High".

He worked really hard on his song and wasn't nervous at all.

Of course, the best part of any recital is hanging out after it's done. We all enjoyed delicious treats, chatting with good friends, and a game or two (led, as usual, by Jon): 

Happy Christmas Sunday!

Ward Christmas Party

The ward Christmas party is always something we look forward to. Crazy, of course, but fun to be with friends and let the kids do some fun Christmas activities. 

Sitting on Santa's lap was, of course, the most important part of the night. Santa tried to get Seth to sit next to him, but Seth wasn't having any of it:

Poor Santa. Seth is not a small boy.

The other two kids were not nearly as cooperative. Catherine would only go near Santa if Daddy went with her. Aaron buried his head in Jon's shoulder the second he spotted Santa and refused to look up again: 

Classic

Luckily the next room had paper trains for the kids to assemble, which was a big hit: 

Aaron works with Daddy: 

We also got to enjoy some hot cocoa and the delicious cookies everyone brought. Thanks to all those who worked so hard to put this all together (especially at the last minute!). 

The Force Awakens

The Force is strong in our family. I grew up with the classic movies, was totally obsessed with Queen Amidala in the first of the prequels, and had more than my fair share of Star Wars paraphernalia in my bedroom as a teenager. With the new movie coming out, I knew it was time to pass on the love to a new generation.

We prepped the kids by watching some of the prequels (shudder) and classic movies before finally dragging them to the theater (we are dedicated fans, but not midnight-showing dedicated). Aaron was the only one who missed out, preferring to spend his morning with the lovely Lydia instead of whining in a theater.

Seth is ready for the show

Catherine is skeptical, but ready

Perhaps it was a mistake to bring the four-year-old. Between getting there early and the 40 minutes of previews (seriously--it just kept going, and going), she was DONE about an hour before the movie ended. She stayed until the end, but was not pleased with any of us.

Seth had some moments of boredom as well, but generally enjoyed all the fighting and shooting, especially at the end. 

I loved it. It was a great comeback after the (shudder) disasters known as "prequels".  And it was extra fun to get to see it with my dad, who is one of the world's greatest Star Wars fans. 

Stunning. We are stunning.

The Luna Bug

Life with this girl is never, never boring. And never what I expect.

My phone has literally hundreds of Catherine pictures on it. Every. Day.

Most are random shots, but she does go on selfie kicks occasionally:

For her preschool Christmas party, Catherine got to bring in a treat for each classmate. When I asked what she wanted to bring, she said, "Chocolate chips." Assuming she meant the cookies (we had made some just a week earlier), I offered to help her make some. "No, Mom. CHOCOLATE CHIPS." 18 bags of chocolate chips later, she was a happy girl:

She was SO excited and proud to show Grandpa & Grandma her preschool 

and to have them meet Miss Crystal.

Catherine also got to spend some time playing model for Grandpa Russell. I was surprised--she's usually (ahem)...less than cooperative for me, but she had a great time with Grandpa!

Pink Princess with crazy hair

Now with rainbow hair, thanks to Grandpa's awesome photoshop skills.

She's constantly trying to get us to let her dye her hair.

Explorer

Leading her semi-invisible clone army

I love this little girl and her independent spirit. 

O Christmas Tree

We were very, very lucky this year: instead of paying to fly five people across the country, we got to sit at home and play host to my family for Christmas! We were so excited to have everyone here.

My parents were the first to arrive, showing up just in time for Dad's birthday. In celebration, we let Seth ditch school and headed off on a series of adventures, the major one being finding the perfect Christmas tree!

Cutting down a tree was a big deal in my family. I remember going with my parents and grandparents and spending a lot of time hunting for the right tree. Our move to Arizona put an end to that fun, so I was excited for my kids to have a chance to cut down a tree with Grandpa Russell.

We had the entire farm to ourselves (benefits of ditching school).

Seth scouts for a good patch of trees.

Aaron hitches a ride with Grandma

Grandma was not expecting to be on baby hauling duty

"Umm...why did we stop?"

"You think I'm going to get out and walk? Ha. Ha,"

Catherine takes a turn hauling the sled

As does truant Seth

Have we found the one?

Grandpa consults with Aaron about the quality of this tree

It might have been a little windy...

Mommy & Aaron

It's pretty clear where that awesome hair came from.

Aaron is concerned about the tree on the van.

Headed home with his new tree!

Of course, we had to stop at Broom's Bloom for some crab soup and ice cream. Minus the parts where Catherine tried to sever her fingers in a heavy metal door and Dad somehow got the wrong ice cream flavor, it was wonderful. Crab soup is always wonderful.

That evening we had the official party. Totally unprompted, Seth designed and executed a treasure hunt for Grandpa. He was so proud of himself! 

Grandpa finds the treasure!

Helping Grandpa open his gifts

Lighting the candle assortment

Grandpa & grandkids, ready to party!

So glad we could have him here to celebrate with us.

Aaron of the Hair

"What do you mean, my hair is fabulous?"

"Let me investigate." 

"You're right. I'm basically irresistible." 

December Leaves

I'm not a snow hater, but I have thoroughly enjoyed the glorious weather we've had so far this December. Who would have thought that in December we'd be out raking leaves in warmth and sunshine? Glorious, I tell you!

A terrible picture, but it shows Seth working hard (really--he did a great job!).

The smaller two did less working and more playing.

But also some work!

Buried alive!

The sun...It's too bright!

My pasty skin can't handle it!

Little Scenes

The hair on this kid is amazing.

And sometimes gets him pumpkin pie for breakfast.

This is a poor girl named Sara who is too poor to have any clothes.

Even though it's December.

Mornings are for iPads.

Or for Minecraft on Mom's laptop.

A desperate plea to entertain Aaron while I cleaned the house.

Little did I know...

...that I had created a MONSTER!

We seriously could not keep him out of the sink.

He would drag stools or chairs from all over the house to get to the water.

Making snowman pizzas for family movie night.

Sometimes I still do cool stuff!