Ho Ho Ho

It was Matthew's turn to put the angel on the tree this year. Thankfully, Kylie is fake crying in this picture - she is finally past the stage of throwing a fit over the angel, and has a sense of humor over her past behavior. Hallelujah.
We did all of our usual holiday activities. In fact, we baked way too much this year. I didn't think it was possible to out-bake all the treats from last year, but we did. Our tummies are still paying the price.

Kylie had her first gymnastics meet in December. It wasn't a 'real' meet, just a practice one with another gym, but there were real judges that gave the girls advice along with their scores. It was really cool. This is Kylie in her warm-up uniform before signing in. Isn't she adorable?

This is her entire team, levels 3-7. Kylie is one of 8 girls on level 4. Can you spot Kylie in the picture? She has a meet in St. George next weekend - I'll post video if I can get my computer to cooperate.

We drove through the lights at Thanksgiving Point again this year, and then stopped for hot cocoa at the cafe. They had reindeer out by the water tower, and the kids were in awe over them. Matthew kept asking which ones they were, and when Santa was coming to get them to pull his sleigh.

Here is our tree on Christmas Eve night. I love when everything is done, and the house is quiet and peaceful.

The kids left quite the list of demands for Santa on Christmas Eve. They wanted proof that he really exists. Santa left a letter with all the answers to their questions, plus a picture of Rudolph on my camera. Kylie no longer believes in Santa, but she still plays along for Matthew.

This one is for you Mom. I think Matthew liked the present you gave him ;)

Kylie liked hers too - Thank you for spoiling them.

My favorite part of Christmas every year......

I admit to spoiling my kids. Seriously, they had a hard time making Christmas lists because they already have everything they want. So, even with all the 'stuff' they get, their favorite presents every year are the little things they pick out for each other. They write each other sweet little cards telling how much they love each other, and then they pick out some little $2 toy, but they really put a lot of thought into it. I may only get to have 2 kids, but I really think I got the 2 sweetest ones.

December

We started off December by going to see "A Christmas Carol" on its opening night at Hale Center Theatre. Fabulous. It totally put us in the Christmas spirit - and is something we hope to see every year now that the kids are old enough.

The next day, we decorated our tree. And, for the record, it was Kylie's turn to put the angel on top. As you can see, she was a tiny bit excited about it. She is a nut.

Tree decorating always goes smoother when it's her year to put up the angel.

I think we baked something nearly every day in December. The kids are all about the baking - and the decorating with frosting and eating. Here Matthew is helping with the gingerbread men.

Kylie rolling out the dough for cinnamon rolls.

Too many goodies!

Kylie is hugging Matthew because she liked what he gave her for Christmas. We had a nice peaceful Christmas hanging out at home all day. So nice. On Christmas Eve we went to a friend's house for a fiesta and bingo. We had fun, but as usual, I forgot to take pictures.

And that's about it for Christmas - if I post anymore it'll just be "hey, look at the amazing amount of crap I bought my spoiled kids." I'll save that for their personal albums :)

Christmas Recital

Kylie had her Christmas piano recital a couple weeks ago. She played 2 songs, and they're both on the video. She was pretty nervous for her first song because she had to go first. Just recently, she has realized that she actually likes to play the piano, and practices without being asked. Yay for no more whining about practice everyday! We are loving all the Christmas music she plays for us :)

That's a Wrap!

We drove through the lights at Thanksgiving Point again this year.

It's so pretty and peaceful in the snow.

I love that they have the story of Christ's birth followed with a manger scene at the end to remind us what all the celebration is about.

Matthew was up and going again on Christmas Eve, so we went to visit Grandma.

Playing games with cousin Kitty, visiting from Washington.

Evidence that Santa was here! He ate all his cookies, and the reindeers gobbled up the carrots.

Daddy opening a wallet from Kylie. I'm not going to post any other pictures of the present opening frenzy because it looked like a toy store threw up. And I left it that way for 4 whole days - yikes. But, see the Wii sitting in the corner there? That was Santa's gift to Kylie & Matthew. I think I like it as much as they do - I'm loving bowling, boxing and baseball in my family room. That's saying a lot since I absolutely hate most video games.

Matthew checking out his stocking.

The day after Christmas, we went to see the lights at Temple Square with John's family. As you can see I am wearing approximately 16 layers of clothing under my coat, but it was 13 degrees!

The lights were beautiful as always.

Ready or Not

Matthew is having surgery to repair his hernia tomorrow. They're very common in preemies. He has most likely had it since birth, but it was too small to notice until now. Last week we went to the pre-operation preparation class at the new Primary Children's surgical center. It was great - I think it will really help Matthew not to be anxious tomorrow since he has already had a tour of where his surgery will take place and talked to the nurses about everything that will happen. He even knows where the slushy machine is and that he can ask the nurse for as many slushies as he wants after surgery - he is seriously excited for that part! I cannot wait for the surgery to just be over so I can stop worrying about my sweet little boy.

We've been busy getting ready for Christmas around here.

Can you guess who's turn it was to put the angel on the tree?

If you guessed Matthew, you'd be correct.

Kylie may have shut herself in her room for a few minutes.

Luckily, Mommy knows the name of the cutest boy at school, and the mere mention of his name has a magical effect.

We've also been baking cinnamon rolls, and the kids really enjoyed making this cute little gingerbread house. I think after Matthew's surgery tomorrow, I will be more ready to enjoy the season - we still have places to go and things to see!

You'll Shoot Your Eye Out

Santa was feeling very guilty on Christmas night for bringing Matthew one of these...

No matter what the box says, spring-loaded light sabers are not good for curious 5 year-old boys.  Even after their mothers have warned, "You'll shoot your eye out."  His eye is fine, just a bit red and swollen and threatening to turn a little purple. (This is the 2nd time our eye-injury prone family has called our good friend and neighbor Evan-the-eye-doctor on Christmas Day!  We owe him big.) 

Happy kids on Christmas morning.

They made the nice list this year.

It was a beautiful white Christmas.

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas...

We did the drive-through lights at Thanksgiving Point this weekend. It's my kind of Christmas activity - you get to stay in your nice toasty car and enjoy the lights and listen to your own Christmas music.

The kids loved driving under all the different arches.

There were lots of lights, but my favorite part was at the very end. There were beautiful lit paintings with the story of Christ's birth. I didn't get any pictures of that part because I was reading the story to my kids - it was a nice ending to the lights. And totally by chance, we listened to 'Away in a Manger' as we drove through the end.

Kylie and I have been enjoying our favorite Christmas activity - baking! My kitchen is a disaster, but a yummy one.

Mmmmm.....don't you wish you were my neighbor?

We are still getting more snow here, and we are excited for a white Christmas. Luckily, Kylie was able to get out and play in the snow before getting croup. Poor baby was up all night coughing. I'm hoping she'll be over the worst of it by Christmas morning.

Oh Tannenbaum

Last week, we turned on some Christmas music, drank hot cocoa and decorated the tree...while we watched the kids wrestle over the angel. It was right after we sat down and talked about the spirit of Christmas and planning what we were going to do for someone in need this year - obviously the kids felt the love.

Kylie won the wrestling match.

Actually, we ended up flipping a coin, and I am documenting this as proof that next year is Matthew's turn.

Matthew did not take the loss well.

I think Matthew looks like he is remembering Kylie putting the angel on the tree last year and suspicious that there was no evidence. Doesn't Kylie look a little guilty?

Christmas Letters

I've never written an official Christmas letter, but I love all the Christmas letters we receive every year - reading what friends are up to and how they're doing. Instead of a Christmas letter, I decided to include my blog address on our cards this year. My blog is a little bit like a year-long Christmas letter. Feel free to read as much or as little as you want. And, if you have a blog, please leave your address in the comments, we'd love to read it.

Here's a quick summary...

John is still working at LANDesk Software, and he even enjoys it after all these years. He just started working with a new product there, and he always likes learning new things. I am happy that his traveling for work has slowed down this year, and he is with our family a lot more. John is also about to be very busy with finishing our basement.

I (Ang) love being a stay-at-home Mom to Kylie and Matthew. I love to volunteer in their classrooms every week and be involved in everything they do. I am also enjoying my calling at church (for all you non-mormons, a calling is what we call our church assignments). I have been the enrichment leader - kinda like a party planner :) - for about 3 years now.

Kylie is 6 years old and in the 1st grade. She is our happy, loving princess. She loves school, her ballet and tumbling classes, and playing with friends. She is an amazing reader, and she has scored 100% on every spelling test so far this year. Kylie is also a great big sister. Kylie and Matthew have always been best friends, and I love that they get along so well.

Matthew is 5 years old and in Kindergarten. He brings lots of fun and silliness to our home. He loves school, cars, pretending to be Indiana Jones, and playing with friends. He is learning to read quickly and loving it. Matthew is a sweet little brother, even though he is taller than Kylie.

We wish you all a Merry Christmas/Happy Hanukkah and a Happy, healthy New Year!

It Was Very Merry

One of our little traditions on Christmas Eve night is laying out our 'Santa quilts.' We all put our baby blankets (yes, John & I both still have our blankets from when we were babies) around the Christmas tree. The Christmas tree is usually crammed full of presents from Mommy & Daddy and Grandma & Grandpa & aunties, etc, so Santa leaves his presents on our quilts. I've found it's also a great excuse not to wrap everything from Santa:) Matthew's quilt is hiding behind the tree, but you can see his video game bike peeking out. Santa was very good to us this year.

I love the cute faces Matthew makes over each and every present.

I have the sweetest little girl.

John enjoys being a little boy again on Christmas.

At Christmas time I want everything to be the same every year, there's just something comforting about following tradition. Yesterday was a little different than normal. We usually have a big dinner at John's parent's house every year, and hang out and play games afterward. John's dad is in the hospital right now, so instead we hung out at the hospital for a little while. It was sad to once again realize things can't stay the same forever, and a big reminder to savor every wonderful moment we all have together. Here is a picture of my kids with one of their cute cousins. I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas yesterday!