Christmas in the City

We had been wanting to take the kids to see Santa all month and we finally found time on Christmas Eve Eve! It could not have been better though... the weather was perfect! It was so fun and festive with lots of lights and carolers. The boys enjoyed running around the square... although that was a little stressful for me and Logan. We had a great time though!!

I love the city at Christmas time! It's the best!!

Bentley took this little stage and was dancing to the drum beats. He was cracking me up!!!

The tree was SO BEAUTIFUL this year!!!

Bentley giving me a face hug. He has a tendency to hit- but it is always IMMEDIATELY followed with a sorry and a hug... and sometimes a kiss. In this case it was hard to give me a hug so he was squishing his face up against mine to say sorry. Precious!

It was an exciting day for sure!!!

We went to Macy's to see Santa this year. I was afraid of long lines but it was perfect! Baylor asked Santa for a 'Minecraft game and a Batman Robot' and Wesley asked Santa for a 'Batman toy' even though he told us everyday that he wanted a 'big huge Dark Vader toy' Bentley wasn't crying this year so that was good... but we didn't quite get a smile. Maybe next year!!

Christmas Vacation

I could NOT resist these ELF Jammies from Target!!

Day 1 of Christmas Vacation! YAY!

Baylor had a Grinch Party at school and he came home with Grinch Slime. I went to the Christmas assembly where we all sang Christmas Carols. A small band came from the High School to play along with the songs. When school was out, the band was playing Christmas carols for all to hear. I loved it- it felt very Old Fashioned!

The boys spent a couple nights sleeping by the little Christmas tree and listening to Christmas music. 

I have been wanting to do this for years! We filled the car with blankets and Christmas candy and drove to the Portland Race Track to see the light show. We loved it. The kids said several times. 'Thank you for bringing us here!' They watched Prep and landing on the car ride home. 

Bentley fully embraced Christmas this year! After just a few days he knew all the Christmas movies and was making requests! His favorite was Grinch. He was asking for that all the time, and in the car he wanted to listen to the Grinch Song. He loved them all though, Grinch, Frosty, Charlie Brown... and especially Prep and Landing. He LOVES Prep and Landing (we all do at our house) He loves the part where Magee says... 'BYYYEEEE' He was saying it all.the.time. and he would crack up every time!!! I caught Wesley quoting this movie a few times too.... he would say 'That's so TINSEL.' It was pretty much the cutest thing ever!!!

"BYYEEEE"

Home for the Holidays

Updating our home was much more difficult then I anticipated. We bought our house in July and we are JUST now starting to feel settled in... but the timing is perfect! We love our new home so much. I'm glad we were able to enjoy the holidays in our new home!!

 There's no place like home for the Holidays!!!

Christmas Sunday

I always love the Sunday before Christmas. It is always an extra special week! Our ward did a wonderful Christmas program. The chapel had greenery and bows. I am in Young Womens and the lesson was SO GOOD! The boys looked very cute in red and green too! I forgot to take a picture after we got home from church so I had Wesley change back into his church clothes. He is the only one that will change his clothes on his own so he was the only one that had to change back! He is always in a hurry to get his 'comftys' on! 

After church the boys went straight to work on their new 'Elf on the Shelf' puzzels. Bentley likes to work on his puzzels while the boys do theirs. When he is done he always says 'MAKE!' 

Favorite Puzzle

When we were kids Grandpa Davis gave us this puzzle for Christmas. It was the only puzzle we ever did growing up. Or at least the only one I remember doing!One of my favorite Christmas memories is sitting around listening to Christmas music and working on this puzzle.  It has been years and years since we have put the whole thing together... so this year was the year! My kids are finally to an age where I was able to do it. Kyle, Hailee and I ... and Logan a little bit... did the puzzle in a couple hours. Bentley wanted to take credit too so he hopped in the picture!! It's missing a few pieces but it still looks good! I love this puzzle!!!

Yummy Treats!

 Lori had us all over the Saturday before Christmas to do some baking! I went to two Cookie exchanges this year and a friend of mine from our new ward made the BEST snickerdoodles (I thought!) so I got the recipe from her and made a double batch of those. Everyone else made lots of goodies too and we all left with lots of yummy stuff to enjoy with our families. 

I found Wesley hanging out in this corner of our kitchen MANY times! Seeing the counters lined with yummy treats from neighbors and friend and family is one of my favorite parts of Christmas!!!