It's beginning to look a lot like...

Christmas!

It was hard to wait until after Thanksgiving this year to decorate for some reason, probably because it was so late in the month, but I did.

And, it took me a few extra days to actually get my tree up, since my pre-lit tree wasn't so pre-lit this year.  I had three light sections that were out and had to take them off and restring new lights.  I sure hope a different set doesn't decide to go off next year, because it was a pain!  But, once it was up, I loved it.  Just like every year.  That's one thing I will surely miss about this house when we finally move.  An awesome spot for a 10 foot tall tree.

I've also wanted a new wreath for a year or two and kind of wanted a burlap one.  As luck would have it, my ward had their first ever Super Saturday Craft Day in a decade... and they made wreaths!  I added a bit more burlap than they showed us, and I ended up breaking up my old wreath (red berries) to add to it, but I really liked how it turned out.

We started the Christmas season with a new activity, seeing the lights turn on at Temple Square.  It was pretty crowded, but ended up being a fun night.

I finally put up a kids tree this year.  I only got out a few old ornaments that were mostly non breakables and let the kids help decorate the tree.  They loved it.

We also went to Gardner Village for the 2nd year in a row this year to pick out ornaments and ride a few 'Christmas' ponies.

Dad bought a Gingerbread house this year too that came already put together, just needed to be decorated.  The big kids loved it.

My Aunt Judy gave the kids a chocolate advent calendar to all the kids.  Kate didn't understand the concept.  She ate hers AND Milo's when I was in the shower one morning

Christmas Day

The kids woke up at the regular time and we all went downstairs to see what was left for us.  

The kids loved their gifts and got to play for quite a while that morning. 

I gave Justin some new ear buds, a bunch of snacks to keep in his office, a little pan for making eggs, and a kitchen torch so I can make him Creme Brulee (someday).  He have me a wireless speaker for my iPhone and a weekend in Phoenix in a couple of weeks to spend with Kathy (no kids).  

We headed to Justin's mom and Dave's clubhouse for brunch with the Goughs.  Mimi and Papa gave all the kids a lego drawer's that Dave made along with lego's to play with.  They loved it.  

After Mimi and Papa's we drove up to my parents for dinner with the Hardcastles.  I did a horrible job at taking pictures that evening, managed one of Kate.  We had Salisbury Steak and bunch of sides and desserts.  Milo didn't have much of a nap for the day, so he went to bed right after dinner and missed the present opening.  We came back up the next day though, so he didn't have to wait too long.  

The kids were spoiled once again -toys, clothes, books, games all the stuff you'd expect.  Justin got a cool helicopter from my brother Matt that he loves playing with too.  

It was a LONG and fun day, we didn't get home until close to 10 that night and NONE of the kids fell asleep on the way back.  Go figure!  

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve started at Grandma Colleen's house.  (Well, technically it started in the morning with me making a bunch of food that I didn't think would take as long as it did, which was right up until we left for Colleen's).

Kate LOVED watching everyone else open gifts and Hyrum got a "Anything I want" gift card, which was pretty exciting.  We had a yummy dinner and fun time with the Lafeen's.  Oh, and Justin wore his ugly sweater to dinner, so that's why he's wearing a women's turtleneck in the pictures.

Grandma and Grandpa Lafeen (and April) came over to our house afterwards to give the kids more presents.  A LOT more presents.

Superhero's, tinkerbell, Ariel, pj's, batmans, walkie talkies, lots of art supplies, AND two new tablets for the big kids.

By then it was getting pretty late, so Milo went to bed and Hyrum and Kate decorated cookies for Santa.

After Kate went to bed Hyrum helped me write a note to Santa too.  He would have written the whole thing, but his finger was in a splint, so I wrote and he signed.

Everybody went to bed and waited for Santa.

Thanksgiving and a Birthday

It's not secret that I haven't managed to stay very up to date on the blogs the last few months.  Which is why I'm doing a quick post about Thanksgiving and Justin's birthday in January.  (Although, with the magic of technology, it'll post on December 31 so it at least gets in the right book when I get caught up on those too).
So, this year we celebrated Thanksgiving with the Hardcastles.  We also had our Saturday before Thanksgiving with the Richmonds, but no pictures from that one.  I got food poisoning the night before (McDonalds, my fault for getting the grilled chicken) and didn't make it to that one.

Maybe my New Years resolution needs to be taking more pictures at family events, because all I have is the pie I made... and one photo of Milo at Greg and Sally's.

 This was a banana cream pie with salted caramel and dark chocolate ganache.  The cream didn't set up as firm as I wanted, or it sort of melted on the way to dinner, but other than that it was good.  Since Justin's birthday fell on Thanksgiving, I made this one for him.

 That's it.  One picture of Milo and his thumb.  You would think that I would have got one of the birthday boy too... maybe next year!