December

 December was a great month filled with lots of Christmas magic and family time. Here are the highlights! 

We laughed at Mia's letter to Santa this year.  At least we know she was listening to our warnings for her about good behavior.  

We finally got some snow this month.  The first snowfall was still a novelty so the kids really wanted to shovel.  I was more than happy to let them do it! 

I got to help out in Mia's classroom when they made Gingerbread houses.  It was a lot of fun! 

They also had books and breakfast at school this month.  I know these moments with Alex are almost up so I'm glad he still likes to see me at school for now.

We had our ward Christmas party at the beginning of the month.  The kids got to sing a few Christmas songs at it.  

After finally getting insurance approval we could move forward cleaning up from our flood.  They pulled up our new floor and ran fans for four days.  They were so loud it almost drove me crazy but the floors are nice and dry now.  Now we just have to wait to get everything fixed.  We need the floors to be repaired as well as the bottom of the cabinets.  We also need a new dishwasher.  Hopefully we won't have to wait too long and we are just grateful it wasn't worse.  

I didn't get a good picture but Santa actually drove by our house in a lit up firetruck.  We had to wait in the cold for him for awhile but it was fun to see him! 

We spent a Friday downtown a few weeks before Christmas.  It was a lot of fun and may need to become a yearly tradition.  We started the afternoon off by ice skating at Galivan Center.  This was a first for Mia and Alex's second time.  They did great and by the end really loved it! 

Next we spent some time at City Creek.  We tried to get into the Cheesecake factory but it ended up being a three hour wait.  Instead we donated to the Light the World Vending machines, shopped and ate at Johnny Rockets.  

We decided to end the night by seeing Encanto at the Gateway.  We all loved it! 

After the movie we went to get our car out of the parking garage. Cars were at a stand still because a Jim Gaffigan show had just gotten out.  Rather than sit in our car for an hour we went and walked around the Planetarium.  Alex was in heaven.  

After all that, by the time we got home it was almost midnight.  Mia was exhausted after a very long, fun day! 

Alex had his last Activity Days activity this month.  Brandon currently doesn't have a partner so I got to help with it as well.  They ate pizza and treats and played lots of games.  They were even nice enough to let Mia tag along.  

This month we went to see A Christmas Carol at Hale Center Theater.  It was really well done.  Other than the fire alarm going off during intermission it was a lot of fun.  Mia loves seeing plays and wants to see a lot more.  

We were able to once again take our annual trip down town to see the lights at Temple Square.  It was a little crazier than normal years but still fun and cold! We started once again at the Grand America to see their windows and giant gingerbread house.  

We got to check out the temple construction.  It looks pretty crazy and will still not be finished for a few years. 

Inside the Tabernacle they were playing a nativity story projected on the ceiling.  It was pretty cool but we happened to catch the Spanish version.  

I had to sneak a picture of Alex performing for the last time with the primary.  It makes me so sad! 

The kids had their last day of school the 17th of December and had the week leading up to Christmas off.  They had lots of sleepovers. 

I also put them to work helping me get ready for the big day. 

We had our annual sock party with some of our friends again.  Mia looks forward to this all year and it was tons of fun! 

One night we had a Gingerbread house competition, girls against boys.  Mia was really annoyed we didn't actually declare a winner.  They both turned out great! 

On Christmas Eve we got up early to head to breakfast with Brandon's family.  We ate at the Original Pancake House. 

Next we went to Grandma and Grandpa's house to exchange presents with Trevor's family.  

After we got home we had to make some cookies for Santa.  

Finally that night we went to Sarah, Jen and Bayley's house to eat and exchange white elephant gifts.  My kids love this tradition! Brandon bought these sweatshirts for us from Christmas Vacation.  I'm sure they will become another Christmas tradition. 

Finally the big day came.  Alex and Mia slept in Mia's room this year. Alex was allowed to wake Mia up after 7:00 am.  Mia wasn't thrilled about this. She would have rather slept in but right at 7:00 they came in our room and couldn't wait to see what Santa had brought. 

He came! 

They were very excited to help Boo open her present. 

Our kids must have been good this year because they definitely got spoiled this Christmas.  We also got them a few "experience" gifts including tickets to Hamilton in a few weeks and even a Disney Cruise we will take in July. 

We ate scones for breakfast and had a little bit of time to enjoy our presents and then we headed off to open more presents with family.  We first went to the Clements and then to the Hettingers. 

At the end of the night the girls some how still had energy and performed a lovely dance for us.  It was another wonderful Christmas and we feel very blessed! 

One of Mia's presents was a Magic Mixie.  She got to make a special potion and brew her own little doll.  

We have all been enjoyed the Oculus after getting it for Christmas.  Alex was dancing in front of Brandon who had no idea he was there. 

We also got to perform the traditional nativity with the Hettingers.  Mia, Elsie and Lilah got to assign everyone their parts this year and did a great job.  They of course were angels.  

Brandon got to be a donkey.  Spot on casting! 

Scott was baby Jesus, Wilson was Mary and I was Joseph.  

The "Wise" Men. 

At the very end of the month we got to babysit Gus for a few days. We also got some pretty big snow storms.  It was pretty funny to see how much he loved the snow when Boo will hardly go near it.  

To end the year we got to go to the Hettinger's for New Years Eve.  Some of our lucky family was in California to watch Utah play for the first time in the Rose Bowl.  We had a fun game night with the Hettingers and Bayley.  The girls loved spending the night together and had so much fun! 

Watching the final moments of the year pass away.  

This year was filled with a lot of heart ache for a lot of people so we feel especially lucky that we have stayed healthy and have gotten to enjoy so many fun things.  Hopefully 2022 will be even better!