As soon as Thanksgiving is over, we decorate for Christmas. This was the first time we got to use the artificial tree I got used from Facebook. It worked out really well!
Daniel also made this holder for our stockings. We never really had a good place for them before, so I was excited about it.
At the beginning of the month, we had our ward Christmas party. A man from the ward had a perfect Santa beard, so he dressed the part for us. Carter refused to be in the picture, but I got this cute one of the girls.
And later I got this selfie shot with all three kids.
I also got this funny video of Aubrey and Carter playing.
Whenever it got really cold, the kids would fill different containers with water and wait for them to freeze. Then they'd bring them inside and drink the water from them as they melted.
In the middle of the month we celebrated Daniel's birthday. He doesn't like to do much on his birthday, but the kids had the idea to sing to him and give him some fake cupcakes. Hehe, so cute!
And after they had gone to bed, we celebrated Daniel's birthday with some poutine. We got the fries from Five Guys (because, really) and bought the cheese curds at the grocery store, but I did make the gravy from scratch. And it was good!
As it got a little closer to Christmas, of course we had to keep up the tradition of frosting Christmas cookies with Nana and Papa. The kids always love it!
And Clara was there too, haha.
Afterwards we all walked around downtown Golden to see the Christmas lights. There were some statues along the walkway, and of course Carter was immediately drawn to the guy with the gun. He tried to grab it, but alas...
Then Aubrey, Carter, and cousin William found a butterfly statue. Their faces are all amazing here.
And here.
Oh, and here too.
The bridge over Clear Creek was lit up with tons of lights, but I couldn't get a good picture of it. This one will have to do.
The next day was Sunday, and the kids decided they didn't want to sit with us. We decided to let them go and planned to take them back if they misbehaved. But this is all they did! They sat on each other's laps and ate snacks. Works for me!
That day I took advantage of the kids being dressed nicely and did Clara's montly photo. But, of course, the older two kids wanted in on the action. Clara was okay with her doting siblings at first...
... but then she got a bit unsure. (Also, I have no idea why Aubrey and Carter are making those faces, haha.)
And then she became downright unhappy. Poor, long-suffering baby! Hahaha.
And for the first time we made our own scallion pancakes. They were a but underdone but tasty! I just need some more practice.
On Christmas day we did stockings first, obviously. Carter got this fun, stretchy ball thing.
Clara got a few of her siblings' recycled toys in her stocking, haha.
And Aubrey got these Wacky Tracks. I loved those things when I was a kid!
And, despite Daniel's reservations, Carter got the bullets for his Nerf-style guns.
The big kids got their own suitcases from Santa, while Clara's present from Santa was this toy piggy bank. She has grown into it! Haha.
Carter got a soccer ball from Grandma and Grandpa as a reminder that his present from them was his soccer class.
I have no idea what he was opening here, but he looks excited!
Clara got her own personalized blanket from Grandma and Grandpa. I love the colors!
And Aubrey got some new Disney princess dolls (like Glitter Gliders) from Grandma and Grandpa.
Mommy's and Daddy's present to Carter was a new bike! We wrapped the helmet and then unveiled the bike after.
Carter also got a Batmobile that he had fallen in love with at Costco.
And Aubrey was very intrigued by this huge present...
... which turned out to be a balance board that can be used in a ton of different ways.
It didn't take her long to start using it as a reading spot. Here she is with her new Friend magazine, which she got a subscription to as a present.
After all the presents were opened, we put together the photo puzzle Santa gave the whole family. It's of Aubrey, Carter, and Clara.
I love this--Clara's little face on a puzzle piece!
Speaking of this cute girl, here she is in her Christmas outfit. I just had to document it!
After Christmas day we took a trip to California (with the kids' new suitcases)! Grandpa enjoyed Clara snuggles.
And all the cousins had a blast together, as usual! Carter and Bennett were particularly cute with each other.
And the older boys were very good with the littles.
We celebrated New Year's Eve with everyone, which meant doing poppers with the little kids several hours before midnight. We also did s'mores. Fun was had!
We had a good time, as usual, and it was sad for cousins to have to say goodbye. But I got this cute video of Bennett making Clara smile. I think it makes for a good ending to this blog!
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