Our Christmas

All the primary kids got to choose to dress up as an Angel or Shepard for the ward party nativity program. They sang 2 little songs and were just stink'n cute. Santa came after dinner. For a minute Katana pretended to be "too old and cool for Santa" NEVER. For me there is no such thing as too much Christmas, Too many lights or to many Christmas songs. I could be happy with no gifts if I could set up and start celebrating November 1st. Not a typo-- Yes the day after Halloween. Sadly Rock Creek did not decorate this year. We took full advantage of Candy Cane Lane and the singing Candy Cane house in twin. Mom and Dad put together a 12 days of Christmas for our gift. Every Day was a scripture that told a name of Jesus and corresponding gift. Examples: The Root of David=root beer. The true Vine=red vines. The word=book of Christmas stories Creator=hammer Gift=PJs I love advents so this was perfect. We also had a Candy calendar, spiritual video and Candle "advent advent the little light burns first 1 then 2 then 3 then 4 then the Christ child at the door.....will you let him in? YES!.

The $5 gift exchange ends up being the most thoughtful and remembered gifts of Christmas. Axel found his gifts for Zara right away. A flying unicorn and counting monkey toy. I had mace. I got a shield and Dos game. On the shelf it was more so I had to show the checker at Walmart the online price to make it stay under $5. Preston had Axel he got a nerf gun, clock and water bottle. Zara gave Katana a shelf and book and ceramic cat to put on it. Mace gave me a flower that will never die. A "kiss the cook" sign and Jesus picture. Katana agonized over her Dad's gifts but finally settled on a X-large lap blanket and cup "Don't make me use my cop voice." Christmas morning was fabulously early. We had a great haul. Santa brought magic paint books. Some childhood comebacks like Otto the fish, old hat new hat, and mosaic tiles for me. Preston got a lot of "remember you bought this." Preston got a maze ball toy and I made a Vegas Dice set game. I got myself a laminator to complete that project. Katana-fish tail (thanks Darlin), Roald Dalh book series, kinetic sand, clock. Axel-a punching bag, missionary name tag, dino dig. Mace- Big dino dig, dino puzzel, missionary tag. Zara- ride on pop toy, Minnie Mouse blankets, cat night light, Minnie/Mickey stuffed animals. Everyone got a Norwex body cloth and animal head hand towel. Boys & Girls got Bow and Arrows and RC cars. It started snowing mid morning. We weren't sure how bad it would get. Wanting to get to Arco before they closed the roads we wrapped up our Christmas earlier than expected and were packed and gone by early afternoon.