Winter Wonderland

The kids wanted to go out and experience some of this winter wonderland, but living here in Texas we really don't keep a good stock of winter outer ware, but with our imagination we were able to keep the kids warm and protected. We used socks and grocery bags to create the perfect glove, two pairs of pants for each child and two jackets with their hoods for each child rounded out the rest of our winter outer ware. Madeline was able to stay outside for a couple of minutes before her cough got to the better of her and had to come in for a treatment. Spencer refused to move or do anything with the snow and so he stood in the middle of the backyard cold and miserable so he didn't last long. Anthony and Daddy enjoyed a good snowball fight and I came out to throw a few snow balls, only to discover that I am a really bad shot.

Something strange happened on Christmas Eve, it actually snowed and a pretty good snow storm at that. We actually had a decent amount of snow to play with and unlike some snow storms I have been in this one had a stop button and was done by evening. It was sure pretty to look at and the nice thing was by Christmas afternoon it was melted, that is how I like snow storms.

Christmas Day

Christmas this year for us was nice and relaxing and quiet. After presents were opened the day was spent playing and putting together everyones loot. It was nice to have a day with no doctor appointments, no places to hurry off too, and no deadlines to make.

We thought Spencer would get into the unwrapping of presents, but not this year. He saw the one thing he loves Wiggles that Santa brought and Christmas was complete; nothing else mattered to Spencer, in fact whenever we tried to interest him in another gift he would get upset for us taking him away from his new wiggle toy.

Madeline loved all her new art kits and has put them to use. She received an light brite which was the first thing she needed to try out, but Santa's gift was the highlight a large wooden car to go with her dollhouse.

Anthony found lots of new and exciting toys for him to enjoy. He received his own Darth Vadar Robotic Arm that he was able to build himself, Knug Fu Panda, and Mindmaster game; but again Santa came through with shinning colors and got him an automatic 20 bullet nerf gun ( I don't think Santa thought that one through very well).

I got a food processor and a cartridge for my cricut cutter and Grant got a book about the comparison of historical writings, including the Book of Mormon, about the origin of Native Americans. The kids each made a book for him with their dad and themselves as the main character doing an activity that they like to do with their dad; and he also got a calendar with pics of the kids to use at work.

The kids loved all of their toys and enjoyed waking up Christmas morning and seeing the Magic of Christmas, and I did something this year that I haven't done before I actually wrapped all the presents this year instead of just sticking them under the tree unwrapped.

Christmas Eve

For Christmas Eve, I had my family over for gift exchange and to make Gingerbread houses. The snow held off long enough for us to enjoy some family fun and then my family left quick as a flash so they could make it home in safety. Everyone enjoyed the gifts that were given, and the Gingerbread houses were enjoyed by all especially the children. Spencer didn't really get into the art of making a gingerbread house, but the decorations he was all about them.

Christmas Sing -A-Long

For our last advent we sang Christmas songs as a family. I found some music online of the kids' favorite Christmas songs that were easy enough for me to play and as a family we gathered around the piano and belted out some Christmas Cheer. The kids really enjoyed it! They are still singing Christmas songs together, it is fun to hear.

Day 20 of Advent

Day 20 fell on a Sunday and since we don't get home from church until 5:30 we usually have to do something simple and this night we decided to read a Christmas story before family scripture time. Somehow the Grinch came and took my many Christmas books that I have, but I was able to find one, not the one I wanted but the kids enjoyed it and that is all that matters.

Day 19 of Advent

For day 19, I invited my family to come and participate in making a wreath for my step father's grave. It was our Christmas present for him. The wreath was filled with things that remind us of him. The kids had little wood things to paint and the adults did the clipping of flowers and festive berries and of course the hot gluing; my little niece even slobber over a few star ornaments as a way of leaving her touch to the wreath. Afterwards I treated them to a homemade lunch. On Christmas Eve we will deliver the wreath to his grave and wish him a Merry Christmas.

Day 18 of Advent

Day 18 arrived and it was time to see Christmas lights as a family. We tried the neighborhood last year with our kids and they were not thrilled and actually fell asleep so after a little research I found a near by resort (Gaylord Texan) that had an indoor Christmas light display filled with minature train displays, a life size gingerbread house, Santa's workshop, and lots of Christmas trees filled with lights; so that is where we went. The kids had fun, but Mommy and Daddy were not too happy to find out when it was too late that there was a parking fee; we will keep that in mind for next year.

Day 17 of Advent

Day 17 was a busy a day not too mention I was already experiencing a busy week so we change plans and did cookies and milk that evening. What kid could resist Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes with a glass of cold milk, YUM!

Kids were happy, Parents were happy and we accomplished day 17, a very successful evening.

Day 16 of Advent

Day 16 brought a new art project for our kids, a little wax paper, a template of a snow flake, and some glittery t-shirt paint and you have your very own snowflake window clings. The kids had a blast doing this and easily used up all the paint and now our back door is festive for the winter season.

Day 15 of Advent

For day 15, we made life saver garland, a simple idea but turned out to be a little complicated and too heavy for our tree. We will re-examine this idea and refine it for next year, but the kids had fun stringing the life savers on.

Day 14 of Advent

For day 14, we made Christmas candy cane ornaments using pipe cleaner and tri beads. They were simple ornaments that were able to fit all of our children's level, a fun activity to do after Family Home Evening.

Day 13 of Advent

For Day 13 we made Christmas Kiss Centered brownies using Christmas Kisses from Hershey, you can find the recipe here. Let me just say they were divine. We kept a few for ourselves and then delivered the rest to the family that Grant Homes Teaches. Our children love to help cook and bake, especially Madeline and Spencer loves to taste any of our creations, so needless-to-say making treats was a big hit at our house.

Day 12 of Advent

Day 12 landed on Saturday and off we went to the Children's Museum in Fort Worth. They just finished a total remodel and so it was neat to see everything for the first time. We have a membership that allows us to see both Dallas and Fort Worth Children's Museum for free, and then after a few hours of play we went out for lunch. A fun family outing!

Day 11 Advent

Sleeping under the Christmas tree brought excitement and adventure for the kids, but first we all gathered around our really small tv and watched How the Grinch Stole Christmas (cartoon version) and enjoy Little Debbie Christmas tree cakes.

Day 10 of Advent

Since we are living in Texas and are not fourtunate to have white fluffy stuff falling from the sky, we decided that we would use our snow cone machine and make snow cones, and since the stores do not sell snow cone flavoring in the winter time, we used a simple recipe found here.

Yummy!!

Day 9 of Advent

In our house it isn't Christmas without watching Charlie Brown Christmas.

One good movie + One bowl of Cinnamon Sugar Popcorn = One perfect evening.

Advent Time

On December first we started our family tradition of doing advent with a new advent calendar idea found here. I sat down a made a list of 25 things that I thought we would enjoy doing as a family as we counted down the days to Christmas. The kids really have enjoyed taking turns seeing what fun we will have as a family each day; and boy they do not forget and make sure that I don't forget as well.

Day 1: Play board game in front of the fire

Unfourtnately Madeline got sick and required a few days in the hospital so day 2-5 were spent as a family in the hospital eating dinner and playing in the playroom each night.

Day 6: Watch The First Presidency Devotional and have treats.

Day 7: Set up the Christmas Tree!

Day 8: Have smores and hot chocolate

Leaves are falling all Around

Make a Smilebox slideshow