December Part 3: The Waiting Game

The last day of school before Christmas Break, Brooke had a school performance with the choir singing their Christmas songs. I am always so impressed by how many songs they have to learn as well as the choreography that goes with each song.

 Grant being silly and "hiding" inside the laundry basket.

 The time between school letting out and Christmas is the worst for kids! So impatient for Santa to come and Mom is left trying to come up with things to do...When the kids found these crowns left over from Brooke's 4th birthday party in our craft-stash they begged to do them. I don't think the boys even cared/noticed that they were pink!

 I don't even know what this picture is all about. Probably Porter thought he looked extra handsome and wanted his picture taken. (he does that a lot. "Take a picture of me mom!" While doing some kind of pose or holding up some lego creation he made)

December Part 2: Brooke's Birthday Weekend

Brooke's birthday coincided with our holiday family get together with Blake's siblings and mom. Brooke thought she was the most special girl ever getting to have all her aunts, uncles, and cousins around to celebrate with her combined with a fun trip to the city.

 We all met up in the afternoon/evening at the hotel for swimming.

 Then we ventured out to find some dinner at a VERY crowded City Creek food court and then went over to temple square to view the lights. I love the lights, but really hate crowds. I especially hate crowds when you have a party of 20+ people and you're all trying to stay together. My anxiety keeping track of my kids as they walked with cousins and got swallowed by the crowd was about to hit a breaking point. Finally, we had to break off from our family group and go do our own thing. It worked out a lot better for us and we were actually able to enjoy the sights.

 Getting to stay up late and watch a movie on the TV was an added bonus!

 The cousins surprised Brooke with this the next morning.

 We started the morning by getting to see a production of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's Christmas Special. This production is my most favorite thing ever and always gets me in the Christmas spirit. It was Brooke's first time in the conference center too.

 I had a major fan-girl moment when Hugh Bonneville (the dad from Downton Abbey came on stage)

 Another fun moment was after the concert was over and the cast and crew were interacting with the choir. One of the special guest performers was personal friends with the director of the new Star Wars movie and it also happened to be the director's birthday. The guest performer face-timed his friend and asked the choir to sing "Happy Birthday". It was Brooke's birthday and when the choir started singing her eyes got huge and she had a big smile on her face. She totally thought the choir was singing for her and we just let her think it!

Next it was brunch at Little America with a fun white elephant gift swap with all the family.

 Mr. and Mrs. Claus came around to each table and talked with the kids.

 My beautiful nine year old girl!

 Since we were busy on Brooke's actual birthday, we had our family celebration the next night after we got back home.

 Brooke is so creative and loves to make things. A book of sewing projects and her very own sewing machine were perfect for her!

Happy Birthday Brooke! We can't imagine life without your sweet spirit of kindness and trying to do what's right. We love your help with your younger brothers, your beautiful singing voice and seeing all the creative projects you come up with!

December Part 1: Let the Festivities Begin!

Christmas was really fun this year with all the kids so invested in all the festivities. They helped decorate the tree (two ornaments got broken this Christmas season), Brooke helped the boys write letters to Santa (with a P.S. on Grant's letter that said "Grant has been annoying this year").

We went to look at Christmas lights and the kids wore some fun 3D glasses Aunt Bridgette and Uncle Stephen sent. Our sweet neighbors, the Richs, brought us some packets of hot cocoa with "to go" cups and lids that were perfect for bringing with us in the car. 

It's a tradition to go to Breakfast with Santa at the school. The kids gave Santa their letters and he actually read them right then (and laughed at Brooke's extra note on Grant's letter. Santa then told her that one day her brothers would be her best friends)

 A special bonus this year was that after the breakfast, Brooke's school choir sang some of their Christmas songs.

 And of course, after it was all over, the kids had to go climb around inside the fire truck.

 Brooke and Grant have a special relationship. Each morning before school, Grant has to give Brooke kisses and hugs before she leaves or he gets really sad.

 We also went to see Santa during storytime at the library. This is Porter's last year being able to do this. Next year he'll be in all day school.