Holiday Favorites

Before I get into my post, I have to show off my latest project. I am always looking for activities for Brooke to do during church and found a some file folder games I decided to make. And when I say "I" made them, I really mean that I had my student aide color them, cut them out and glue them together. I just laminated everything and put the velcro on. There are way more games than what is pictured here, but I am going to slowly add a few games at a time to a binder we keep in our church bag. So far, they are a huge hit; Brooke loves them.Okay, onto our holiday favorites. There are so many things I love about this time of year. From the lights to thinking of fun gift ideas for people I love, putting together neighbor plates of treats, Christmas cards and of course reflecting on the real reason for the season. One of our favorite things to do (when we can) is go see this musical: The message of the play is beautiful, the songs are uplifting and Blake and I just love it. We recently went Saturday night with Blake's parents and had a really fun time. It really puts in perspective what the season is all about.

On the wordly side, I cannot let a December go by without watching some of our favorite Christmas movies:

Also: A Christmas Story, Home Alone, It's A Wonderful Life, Christmas Vacation..just to name a few.

Friday night was our ward Christmas party. Santa comes to it and this year I wasn't sure how Brooke would react. Now, Brooke has never been afraid of Santa. Curious about him, a little shy, but never scared. I was wondering if this would be the year when "stranger danger" would kick in and she would cry. Nope. She could barely contain her excitment while we were waiting in line. In fact, as we got closer and could actually see him, Brooke got away from Blake and cut in front of a group of girls and ran up to Santa to give him a big hug and sit on his lap. When asked what she wanted for Christmas, Brooke replied, "A Christmas tree" Sweet! We can do that!Brooke also loves the Christmas lights. We have probably driven around to look at lights several times already this year. Brooke says "pretty!" or "Boo-e-ful" (beautiful) when she sees them. Thankfully, lots of people on our street have lights up now so that saves us from having to drive around our neighborhood everytime we come home.

Here is Brooke dressed in jammies and a hat made by Honey ready to go look at lights on evening:I have gotten a couple requests for pictures of our tree in our house. I am not a decorater! So don't expect anything fancy:

We had to rearrange our furniture to fit the tree. Next year, the tree might go in our downstairs family roomSome of our favorite ornaments: First Christmas

Brooke's First ChristmasAnd a new one this year: We got this on our CruiseFinally, some of you may have seen on FB that Brooke was running around wearing two swimsuits on Saturday afternoon, insisting that she was going swimming. She also found a flipper (aka spatula) and was doing karate moves with it and saying "hi-ya" Well, to appease her swimming bug she settled for a bath instead:

And while she was taking a bath last night Brooke said to me, "Mommy you can't see my owies." (she has 2 bandaides on her knees where she skinned them..one of them is a batman bandaide) and I said, "Why not?" and she replied, "Because Batman is too scary."