Christmas Season 2013

We love the Christmas Season at our house: the decorations, the traditions, the snow, the gifts, and most importantly the increased Spirit we feel as we focus on our Savior and show gratitude to Him by giving just a little more love to those around us. 

Here is a look at Christmas 2013:

Madelyn and I attended the Nutcracker Ballet at the Capitol Theatre. This was our 3rd year and it just gets more and more special each time. Last year Maddy wanted to dress alike and so this year we each dressed in gold and white. We went to the Olive Garden for lunch and talked about all kinds of things: school, friends, our personalities, what we want to be when we grow up. Then we headed to the show! Each year they add a little twist to the show and this time they used more of a Chinese twist with Chinese costumes, dances, and songs. Of course, overall it is the classic story that we love so much. Madelyn even learned to play one of the songs on the piano this year: The Sugar Plum Fairies. We love that song and get so excited when that part is performed.

On Christmas Eve we had Misha and Aaron over for dinner:

Roasted Duck

Twice-Baked Shrimp Potatoes

Salad

Brussel Sprouts

Rolls

Black-Bottom Chocolate Pie

We reenacted The Nativity with Madelyn as Mary, Evan as a Wise Man, Luke as Joseph, Aaron and Henry as Shepherds, Misha as an Angel, and a baby doll as Baby Jesus. :) Then we exchanged some funny white elephant gifts and the kids each opened one gift before bed…Pajamas! Surprise! ;)

The kids awoke pretty early on Christmas Day (5 AM)! They said they had waited a LONG time but then they decided to get Henry and come and wake us. Daddy sent them back to bed and then at 6:30 they came in again and we decided it was TIME!

We opened all of our fun gifts and gave thanks to our Heavenly Father most especially for the gift of His Son, and then had a yummy brunch.

The rest of the day we relaxed and played with all of our new toys. Evan and I spent the afternoon putting together all of his new Lego sets. Um, I think I might have had just as much fun as he did. Since I never had brothers and I have to say, these boy toys are pretty fun!



Maddy and Luke spent the afternoon making markers with their new Marker Maker set.



Then we let the kids go on the traditional scavenger hunt for the last family gift! We love playing this board game every Sunday evening now. After that we went over and spent time with Daddy's family at Jeff and Nicole's home. It was great to see everyone and dinner was delicious.



Merry, Merry Chrstimas 2013!