December - Part One

December was so fun this year and packed so full of fun activities! 

We watched a lot of Christmas movies this month.  We hit all the old classics and even watched a few new ones too.  

We got a few good snow storms this month.  Every time I went out to shovel the kids wanted to come too.  Alex always wanted to help shovel and he was a really big help.  He often did the whole sidewalk while I did the driveway.  It was awesome. 

Buddy the Elf doesn't usually cause too much trouble but one day this month he drew all over our pictures.  It was pretty funny.

Our kids begged us to try the Grinch Pancakes at ihop.  They loved them!

Our ward had a Christmas breakfast this year that was a lot of fun.  The kids sang at it.  Mia was just a little too short. 

With some friends, Brandon and I went to see Jim Gaffigan perform this month.  It was a great show! 

As per tradition we went to the Dickens festival this month to get our picture taken with Santa. 

I had about one hundred of these selfies on my phone while Mia was bored. 

Anytime Mia sees one of these picture opportunities she just has to do it. 

We wanted to try something new this year and took the kids to Luminaria at Thanksgiving Point.  I thought it was so cool.  Our kids liked it too but complained of being cold.  It is one we will definitely have to repeat. 

One night this month our kind friends had us all over to make Gingerbread houses.  Our kids were so excited and they had so much fun! 

We also had a night where we decorated our own Gingerbread house. 

One day this month I got to go visit Mia's tumbling class.  It is so fun to watch her! 

We had the traditional Gygi Christmas party this month.  Mia and Kenzie were so excited to see each other.  

Another Christmas means another year of making my kids take pictures in their Christmas jammies.  

The Sunday before Christmas was a lot of fun, especially because of one hour church and no primary! This was the best picture I got of my kids in their Sunday best.  

After church we went over to the Clements to have a delicious rib and crab dinner and open some early presents. 

That night we took the Mikah, Max and Kenzie back home with us for a sleepover.  It was a lot of fun!

November

November was a fun month.  Alex had the whole month off of school.  It was nice to have him home and we got to go do some fun things.  

At the beginning of the month Brandon decided to put up the Christmas lights while the weather was still nice.  He even let Alex up on the roof with him.  I was too scared to watch but he loved it! 

One of the mornings we spent at High Jump.  My kids could stay there all day.  They loved it. 

Mia loves to dress up!

I let Mia play with my American Doll from my childhood. She was in heaven.

 Mia and Alex got really into having "sleepovers" while Alex was off-track.  They loved sleeping downstairs together or in each others room. 

After I headed off to set up the primary room these two made themselves comfortable at church. 

One of Alex's off-track requests was to go to an aquarium.  We decided to try the one in Layton this time.  It was very hands on and actually very cool.  Our kids loved it! 

The dangers of touching and feeding animals though is that both of our children got bit.  This turtle bit Mia and Alex got bit by a shark while trying to feed it.  Mia was more scared than hurt but she eventually forgave it. 

Alex got to help in this show.  He got to hold a cockroach. 

Alex loved these little fish that ate your dead skin.  He went back to this area about ten times.  It was pretty cool. 

Alex also got to feed an octopus. 

At the end of November we took the kids on the Polar Express.  We got to head to the North Pole and meet Santa.  Mia was pretty nervous most of the time but they had fun.

After the train we got some dinner at the Dairy Keen in Heber.  It was pretty cute!

We also went to the Festival of Trees at the end of the month.  It is one of my favorite Christmas traditions.  

The scones might be the best part.

We also got to take Alex to the Symphony to see the third Harry Potter movie.  It was very fun!

Intermission selfies. 

On the last night of November we found a box on our door step.  Our elf, Buddy had come back to spend the Christmas season with us and keep an eye on things.  The kids were very excited.  He even brought some new pajamas for the kids.