Growing Together: Christmas, christmas time is here!

We ventured up to the Mesa for our annual Christmas tree hunt. It was a nice trip as it wasn't freezing and wasn't snowing. We took advantage of the good weather and lack of deep snow to hike around. Unfortunately it took us a LONG time to find a tree that wasn't pathetic. In the end I ended up sledding with the kids while Dave hiked way up high to find a tree. It was a great tree, but I keep wondering when Dave is going to nix this tradition of ours. After we loaded the tree Dad raced the kids down the snowbank in the parking lot.

Putting up the tree was a whole other story. It was crazy to try and get straight, and just when we thought we had it, and even had it half decorated it fell over. But we did succeed eventually and it looked very nice.

The last few years we have bought some smaller trees on after Christmas specials for the ornaments the kids have made over the years. It is kind of a tear jerker to see so many from all the years.

They are my favorite trees.

Our church had a very nice Christmas dinner early in December. Complete with a visit from St Nick himself. I think this was the first year no one was afraid. (Amanda was home not feeling well).

Our primary put on a nativity play after dinner with all the primary kids involved. It was crazy. Maren and Spencer were both sheep, while Spencer was a guard.

We learned that Dave's Granny passed away December 7th. It was hard news for us to take. She holds a special place in our hearts after the time we were lucky to spend with her while living in North Carolina. I loved her stories, living in Alaska, Hawaii, and the south, she definitely had a lot of good ones. She was a pioneer in computer engineering, and a fierce defender of fun and family and living life to it's fullest. She was very good at spoiling us rotten and we all loved her for it.

I loved going to the beach with Granny. She always made sure we made the trip every year (or more), and we always stopped for lunch & ice cream along the drive. And we always ate at a favorite restaurant where I tried hush puppies, fried catfish, & crab cakes for the first time. For several years we stayed at her favorite motel, an oldie but goodie right on the beach. It was torn down while we lived in NC and our trips were never the same. She loved to sit and listen to the waves and loved watching the kids play in the sand and water.

My kids remember many zoo trips, Sunday dinners, visits to camelot park, and her 90th Birthday party we spent at Disney World a few years back. This Christmas was especially poignant as she had sent Christmas to our house before her passing. It was bitter sweet to have hand written cards from her Christmas morning to read with the kids.

While she will be dearly missed I am grateful that she is not trapped in her body any longer, as the last few years have been hard to watch as her health has declined significantly.

Spencer and Maren, both, sang at Barnes and Noble for the fundraiser the school does every year there for the music department. It is always fun, but not easy to get a picture as we are packed in there like sardines.

Spencers class sang the chipmunk song, and I loved listening to him practice around the house.

And because I live in the most amazing place I got to bike in December. It was an unusually warm this December and the trails are deserted and beautiful. This is one of my favorite trails, Steve's loop.

I also got to ride with all these ladies one Saturday on another favorite trail, Horse thief bench. We all get out about once a week, but with 13 kids between us it is rarely together. It was a fun day to spend on the trails.

A few days later, Dave and I ventured up to the Mesa to ski in some fresh powder that had fallen overnight and even while we were skiing. It was beautiful, a little cold, but a nice start to the season. Because the groomer hadn't been able to make any tracks yet we did some back country skiing and both were exhausted by the time we got to the car.

I have an awesome friend that loves to bake. She invited Amanda over to learn how to make these fondant (frosting) decorations. Amanda loved it and made a yummy treat for family night that week.

This awesome friend also hosts a Christmas party every year and the kids all make gingerbread houses. They love this.

I didn't get a picture of Marens house because Skai ate it before I did. She was so upset, unfortunately this is nothing new. I thought it would be entertaining to keep a list of all the things Skai ate this month. Marens ginger bread house, ginger bread cookies, Spencers ginger bread house (a few days later), popcorn, snack mix, half an omelet, and a sandwich right out of Jacobs hand. Man he is a good theif! I have gotten better about putting things away quickly, but it is hard to find places to stash things and most of the time he snatches when things are on the counter cooling. He is quite the opportunist.

But we love him anyway...most of the time, that is!

A few days before Christmas, Spencer took a nasty spill on the stairs and cut his lip. He got four stitches in this bad boy, mostly because it went into his mouth.

It made for some not so comfortable smiles Christmas morning...poor kid!

Lego's, lego's, and more lego's, for the boys of course.

I think everyone got a little something that they were excited about. Amanda has been begging for a laptop to do her homework and writing on. We were more than happy to oblige as the computer seat at our house is premium real estate during after school hours. Maren was a little disappointed Santa didn't bring her a nook, but I told her Santa needs more than a few days notice on purchases that big. She is excited about her soccer rebounder for the backyard though.