Snow Day

It started snowing just before church started on Sunday and by Sunday School it had stuck on the ground and was beginning to pile up. The wards after us were even sent home early or cancelled all together because of the weather. (I was glad ours wasn't because I gave my first lesson and I wanted to have the experience over with!) I had never driven in snow so I got that experience driving home from church. I was super paranoid and the kids were extra loud talking about how they were going to throw snowballs and build a snow man. They were beyond excited to play outside in the snow when we got home.

We made Brody into a real life snowman

Ella eating the snow...is anyone surprised? I think not.Brody said to me, "Mom, I have even better news then snow in the backyard...there is snow on the playground!" Probably a borderline inappropriate photo for the web, but just too funny! Coppertone girl watch out :)

The Day After...

We went about the morning of the 26th of December like any other except we were waiting to hear if we had a new neice or nephew. When I heard my phone beep with a text I was excited to see what the baby was. Instead of news of a baby it was a request for Brandon and I to come to church early for a meeting...not quite the same reaction as hearing about the new baby. About 10 minutes later we DID learn of the arrival of Liam Daniel Wells.

We went to church early and were greeted by our Bishop at the door. He said the Stake President was waiting for Brandon and he'd meet with me. (At this point my stomach was up in my throat - I get really nervous for some reason) Our ward was split that day and Brandon was made Elder's Quorum President and I was put in the Young Women's program as Mia Maid Advisor. I think I was more nervous about my new calling then Brandon. I probably would have been more sad about the split if my mind wasn't so preoccupied about thinking how much change we'd have in our schedules. It was a big split...we went from 150+ kids in the primary AND probably another 40 on the nursery rolls to having a Primary of 50 and a nursery of 7. The average age of the other ward created is 27 and the average age of our ward is probably 50. It is REALLY different, but I think it is a good change. I think the spirit of our Ward is different and I think it has given people an opportunity to feel more included. We joke around our house that no one can get away without having a "big" calling. I get now when people call it a "ward family" because you really have no choice but to know everyone.

The new callings so far are going good. Brandon is getting used to a lot more phone calls, emails, meetings and assignments...and I am getting more used to hanging out with the girls again and teaching lessons for kids who actually can understand what I'm saying.

Christmas!

The kids waiting for the okay to come downstairs - we didn't want any peeking. I made sure to set an alarm and get up just before I thought they would. Go figure they'd sleep in an extra hour!
Going through their loot in their stockings

After their stockings we went to our little advent calendar (courtesy of "The Friend" magazine) and did our last scripture reading about the birth of the Savior. Ella had been waiting for a long time to get to put the baby Jesus on the Christmas tree.
Afterwards we headed (quickly) to the tree to start seeing what goodies Santa had left for us.

He didn't disappoint...the kids were so excited at all the gifts. Brandon and I both enjoyed that our kids are old enough that they needed no help or encouragement to find and open their presents. Our Christmas morning was spent cuddled under blankets on the couch watching and sipping hot chocolate. It was perfect!

Brody had to patiently wait for Ella. We have a one at a time rule. If we hadn't I think Christmas morning would have lasted about three minutes before they tore through everything.

It was definitely a Toy Story 3 Christmas at our house

Ella with her Hungry Hungry Hippos

Brody got a Cars race track

Santa even brough Ella the dollhouse that she had kept asking for...

and he brought some furniture to go with it

Both kids were excited to get their own scripture cases from Mom and Dad. Brody got a Book of Mormon for his too, so he can be prepared for Primary. Both kids got doodle pads so that maybe *just maybe* this would be the year we could get rid of mom's ever-growing church bag. **Wish us luck! It still hasn't happened!**

And, Ella our Explorer got her very own Backpack, complete with Map.

And, from Aunt Marilyn they got a box full of one dollar bills. Why? Because, a few months ago a frozen yogurt shop opened just around the corner. This is a huge treat because we have NOTHING "just around the corner" The kids were spoiled in the beginning with frozen yogurt - however while it doesn't sound like a lot, 35 cents an ounce sure adds up. When we told Brody that we didn't have the money to always buy frozen yogurt he of course (like any 4 year old) complained and cried that he just wanted frozen yogurt. So, thus the one dollar bills. I wanted him (and Ella too) to have to pay for their yogurt and give up those precious ones.

They have been once since Christmas and Brody did really well at paying for the yogurt and he saw that he could probably get it 4 more times with his money. He loves "chock-lick" flavored and Ella loves Strawberry (although she is more into the gummy bears on top)

So, thank you Aunt Marilyn for the frozen yogurt money!

The kids starting to play with their toys... Brody got a Project and Draw that is really neat. He is quite the little artist.

Ella with her assembled Dollhouse

Later in the day we had the Burtons come over for dinner and to play with the new toys. Brody and Grandpa had fun with his track...oh and Brandon questions Ella at the end just to make her say purple. She sounds so cute saying it.

We had the yummiest dinner and ate until we couldn't anymore. We played with toys, we skyped with family and we topped off the night with "National Lampoons Christmas Vacation" We were beat when the day was over, but we wouldn't have had it any other way. Christmas with kids gets better and better every year. They get why we celebrate it and enjoy being with family. Several times through the month I caught Ella singing Happy Birthday to the Baby Jesus in our Natvity display. I love seeing them learn and "get it" They are good kids.

So, to finish the post...our favorite gifts of the year are:

Ella - dollhouse

Brody - Mavis the train

Sarah & Brandon - probably a tie between our meat grinder and our Vitamix blender we've used the Vitamix more, but its just because we haven't really had meat yet to grind. We are definitely fans of smashing up our food in different ways - sounds a little weird, but tastes really yummy!

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve day we were at home making last minute preparations for the big day. I'm a huge fan of Christmas Eve. I love the anticipation and happiness of the day. The kids reminded us half way through the day that we didn't have cookies for Santa, so making cookies sort of worked its way onto our schedule. The kids were reminded that Santa doesn't come for kids whose rooms aren't clean, so we had to take care of that too.

That evening we got dressed up and headed over to the Burton's house to begin the celebrating. My kids are the cutest kids ever - and they look even better all cute (and handsome for Brody :) )
Ella has grabby hands...she can't help herself. She won't leave anything alone. If its within reach, and even if its not...if she wants it, she'll find a way.

This is Heidi, or Hannah - depending on the day...she is the best kind of dog, fake. Ella loves playing on her.

Brody couldn't wait to open some presents. He made sure to tell Jack (our elf who reported to Santa each night) that he had been good and what he wanted for Christmas.

Uncle Kevin is such a good sport. He is always willing to wrestle and play with the kids.

Grandpa told us the story of the first Christmas. We love flannel board scripture stories!

Ella's favortie pose. Remember Boots, her cuddly pink giraffe? Somehow his tail that used to tickle her nose while she sucked her thumb turned into her finger up her nose while she sucks her thumb. If you look close you can even see her pointer finger on her thumb sucking hand going for her other nostril. Its gross. We've been working on it, with no luck so far.

Her first present!

Brody finding his presents

Connect 4! He is a huge fan of this game. He was excited to open it and then turned around and hugged it and said to his grandparents, "You've made me so so happy!" He melts my heart - so sweet!

Our gift to Kevin - what will be his infamous Christmas shirt that his future wife will proably despise...gotta love The Christmas Story. I think the shirt looks really nice on Kevin.

Dora legos...just like she wanted

Toy Story legos

Our gift to Grandpa - a personalized sign for their movie room

The 3 brothers with Mark Sanchez prints...isn't it funny that I married the oldest Burton boy, and yet now almost 8 years later he is the smallest?

The gift that was almost forgotten (every Christmas has to have one gift that gets forgotten) - Brody really wanted the Misty Island Rescure train set. He loves this toy!

Opening Christmas pajamas

All ready for bed! We got in the car to go home and said we needed to hurry to make it home before Santa came. We followed Norad on daddy's phone all night to make sure we got home in plenty of time. When we were in the van going home Brody declared - no scriptures, no stories no prayers...we just need to get to bed. He was so intense! We made it in plenty of time though, and we even did scriptures and prayers.

Christmas Parties

Brody's preschool group had a Christmas Party in the middle of December. The kids loved playing "Santa Says" and eating lunch together (this is always a highlight) and decorating gingerbread cookies.

Brody with one of his good friends Ashlyn
Ella was given the bowl of sprinkles and promptly dumped the whole bowl on her cookie. She picked them all off and ate them and then got her hands on some more and did it again. Silly girl!

Brody with his finished cookie (side note - do you see from this picture how tiny his body is compared to his head??)

We attended my mom & dad's ward Christmas party that was a Night in Bethlehem. Everyone came dressed up and we ate on the floor and learned about the customs that existed during Christ's time on earth.

Aunt Stephanie, Ella and Brody in their costumes. Brody was a sheperd and Ella was Mary. She even wanted to bring the baby Jesus wrapped in swaddling clothes on her lap. (The kids costumes were a last minute effort - thus the baby headband holding on Mary's hat

Brody at the coloring table working on a wreath. He learned about the meaning of the wreath.

Ella coloring her wreath.

This is the only picture I have of what was Christmas with my parents. We usually celebrate the weekend before because they go to California. I forgot the camera so I need to gather some pictures from family, but this was the morning after. Grandma and Grandpa gave Brody this lego house. He was so excited to build it. This is entering new territory for us - little legos. He followed all 84 pages of directions (kudos to lego on being thorough). He did it mostly by himself with me following along when he needed help. It has since been torn apart and rebuilt in parts several times.

Back Tracking...

Ella got some sort of stomach bug early in December...Brody drew this picture so that anyone that came to our door knew she wasn't well...he is quite the artist.

On the bright side - the same stomach bug did not pass through to everyone and by some miracle the rest of us made it through December healthy