Christmas Advent

Our kids look forward to Christmas Countdown.  Some years it is a challenge to get everything in, but the excitement on the kids' face when they see the red box come out is worth any challenge.  I didn't get pictures of everything and there have been some weeks that feel like a whirlwind, but I will do my best to capture how we counted down to Christmas in 2012.

1.  Decorate the tree.  The kids look forward to this every year.  Grant and I assemble the tree, flock it, and put the lights on.  We do this the day before the kids decorate the tree.  I hand over the ornament box over to the kids and they go to to town decorating the tree and they even re-decorate it through the month.  Each year one of the kids gets the privilege of putting the star on and turning on the lights.  It is a big celebration in the Cooper house.

2.  We always look forward to the First Presidency Christmas Devotional.  We gather around our computer and this year we enjoyed watching it with Pumpkin Pie.  For me Christmas doesn't start until we hear from the First Presidency.

3.  We enjoyed a run to sonic for yummy shakes.
4.  Played an exciting and fast pace game of Monopoly
5.  Enjoyed making our own Ice Cream Sundays
6.  Rake and play in the leaves
7.  Snow Cones

8.  This year we celebrated Dec 12, 2012.  I bought a dozen donuts and while we enjoyed our yummy treat we sang "12 Days of Christmas."

9.  Sleep under the tree with Christmas lights on.  The kids jump for joy when this one is pulled out of the advent box.  They absolutely love this little tradition of ours.  Personally it is way too much light to be able to sleep.

10.  Watched "Home Alone."  Grant thought the kids would enjoy watching the robbers go through the fun maze.  Unfortunately we forgot about the little bits of language.  The kids enjoyed watching the robbers get attacked, but we probably won't get it again because of the language.

11.  Gingerbread Houses.  This is another favorite tradition in the Cooper Household.  We save all the unwanted Halloween candy for this occasion.  Our gingerbread houses might be unique with all the Halloween style candy on it, but the kids have fun.

12.  "Charlie Brown Christmas" with a treat!  This is another Cooper tradition along with....
13.   " How the Grinch Stole Christmas" with a Grinch treat.
14.  Make snowflake cookies out of tortillas
15.  Watch "Polar Express" with popcorn
16.  Make the annual wreath for Papa Bear's Grave
17.  Ward Christmas Party
18.  Sing Noel concert
19.  Eating out at I-hop

I know there were more, but the list is gone and so is my memory.  Anyway you get a glimpse of how we counted down to Christmas this year.