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Pre-Christmas Fun.

CHRISTMAS EVE FUN!!!

Christmas Eve we headed out for treat delivery and 'small-kine' caroling around the block.

You know it is Christmas when blankets no longer keep you warm... but transform you into people from the little town of Bethlehem long, long ago.

Nani came home from school with great news. She was Hawk of the week... and Hawk of the Month! She is a great student and we are very proud of her efforts.

CHRISTMAS SUNDAY... PRETTY GIRLS IN CURLS.

DECK THE HALLS!!!

With $20.00 in our pocket we set out to find the "perfect" tree. This is the first year I have started to think... "well, maybe we should buy a fake one." It is a lot of money every year... but it is also one of my FAVORITE memories... picking out the perfect tree. We went to one tree lot and saw a few sad looking trees that would fit our tree budget. We decided to drive on and came to a lot filled with tall BEAUTIFUL trees. I decided to look myself to see if they had anything for $20.00. I didn't see any under $35.00, and so I asked the worker and he said kindly, "We'll make something work." So all the kids got out and we looked around for a bit. The man told us to choose from any of the trees on four rows of $35.00-$45.00 trees. He was kind, and didn't belittle me or my $20.00... he had the Christmas spirit, and he put a smile on my face. :)

While we have loved all our trees in the past, they have been a bit smaller, and a bit balder. It was so fun to have such a full tree that smelled so good! Maybe we will keep on with the tradition of live trees after all. :)

My crazy "free-spirited" parents made the drive back up to Utah to attend the Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert with Tino and I... and we are glad they did. What a treat to listen to such beautiful music, and be with such good company!

They were here for a day... but what a fun day it was.

I love attending big productions... music, dancing, plays, I love it all. It was especially nice to be attending this concert because it was so Christ centered. The words that were sang are so powerful, but the sweetness of the song is so gentle. Thanks for coming Mom and Dad... and thanks for winning the tickets Roy!

Sledding in the First Real Snow of the Season!

After an hour of preparation, we took the family for some night time sledding at Rock Canyon Park... It was worth it!

When we began sledding we went with Samara...but she wanted to do it alone... so we let her!

She is so brave! Anything her sisters can do... so can she.

Nani and Kea were amazing . They would just jump on and go for a ride, and hike up the hill to do it all over again. I hate to admit it, but I have some Utah girls!

There she goes!

Tino and I like to "pretend" we're surfing the waves and ride down like this... it takes some skills.

Me and my snow bunnies!

After a long night of sledding Samara hitched a ride back to the car from daddy. It pays to be the 'baby' of the family.

See... she knows how to work it!

It was a lot of fun, and has already been repeated. The next time we were ready in 30 minutes!

The First Week of Christmas...

The month began with an amazing date night gift given by Chris and Sherelda. We were able to attend BYU's "Christmas Around the World"... a very cool show. The girls got to go stay at the Crippens house and make Christmas tree pizzas, bake and decorate cookies, and sleep over! We got to get our Christmas shopping done early, and have a nice quite night without kids. :)

The next night we attended "The Living Nativity" put on by our stake, and held in the Provo Tabernacle. It is a great way to start the Christmas season as it really focuses on the birth of Christ and brings it to life for the children. Here the girls stand with a friend from our old ward.

We met up with Tino's sister and her family to take it all in... the baby Camel was a BIG hit. Look at those eye lashes!

They had a petting zoo with a small donkey, goats, sheep, and a camel.

Tino's sister Sondra, with her 4 boys and baby girl... there first outing as a family.

Samara loved the presentation, especially Mary and the baby Jesus... As the show was ending Samara said, "I want to go with Mary, mom!" We took her up to see the doll they used for the newborn Jesus. She loved it.

The cousins all came up on stage for a cute photo with the props.

Happy Thanksgivmas!

This Thanksgiving was a wonderful time to be with family and reflect on all we have to be thankful for. It was also part Christmas as my parent's from California came and celebrated an early Christmas with us. We had a lot of yummy food, went to Temple Square in Salt Lake City, had a sleepover at the Crippen's, and much more family fun.

The reflecting pool has a nativity placed right in the middle... it is a beautiful place to be around Christmas. The lights weren't on yet, but it was still beautiful.

Inside the visitor's center... the girls found BUTTONS!!!!!

It was freezing, but we loved learning new things about the building of the temple and all of the personal sacrifices that the early saints made to construct it.

THANKSGIVING DAY AT THE CRIPPEN'S

My mom and I... aren't we cute.

I found a new way to be creative... pie reliefs, I did a Christmas snowman as well.

My brother Chris and his wife Sherelda, their son Josh, and a very satisfied Tino and I. :)

The excited cousins waiting for the food.

Grammy and Papa Crippen with the Hopoate family. We all lok forward to their visits... but my girls just adore them!

My mom made these adorable Christmas Nightgowns for the girls... as you can see, they loved them, and they love her.

We all slept over at the Crippen's home, because we never have gotten to do that since we live here in Utah with them. It was fun to hang out, watch movies, and play games.

Tyler and Samara... cutie cousins.

Nani, Kea, and Samara just being cute on the stairs.

Papa Stanta Claus

My sister sent up these cute apron sets for the girls... so we put them to use!

The finished Gingerbread Choo choo Train... and the proud creators.

We have so much to be thankful for... each other, our wonderful families, our great friends, a warm home, a free country, the true Church of Jesus Christ, and the opportunity to have another tomorrow as we try to become more like our Savior every day. We are truly blessed.