Gearing up for Christmas

Christmas starts early at our house! Dave works for FM100, so of course we love Christmas music, and our house was fully decorated about a week after Halloween. Since Thanksgiving we've been hitting all the Christmas spots and I think I'm more excited for Christmas Day this year than ever, because both kids will really enjoy opening presents and Andrew is so excited about Santa and all things Christmas.

Getting ready to board the Polar Express Train in Heber! 

The Polar Express is really fun and I recommend it. Each train car has a story teller who leads carols and reads a book, the cute elves give everyone hot chocolate and cookies, the train ride is pretty long and stops at the North Pole and best of all, Santa comes aboard and visits each child. 

Andrew has sat on the laps of 4 Santas so far. He has never been afraid in the past, and this year he has jumped right up and immediately stated that he wants Legos.

Ashley doesn't love Santa, and she really didn't like this one!

We decorated our own Christmas Train. It wasn't as easy as the box made it look, it was more like a train wreck but, the candy and frosting were still yummy!

The lights at Temple Square are beautiful, as always.

When we drive in the car Andrew is crazy about Christmas lights, he gets so mad when the lights are out Ashley's window and not his. We thought we'd love the lights at Temple Square but, he really didn't even seem excited about the lights, all he wanted to do was look at the water fountains, pools and rivers. Ashley wasn't very excited about the lights either but she loved all the the large nativities.

Ashley's new say cheese face

Our ward Christmas Party, Street Christmas Party and Dave's work Christmas party are already over. Each was great; here are the highlights:

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At the ward party Andrew got to be on stage with the Bishop and other children and was so happy to get picked to hold up a prop, and he loved sitting on Santa's lap and being with his buddy Ty.

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The Street Party was nice because we had a babysitter that night and actually got to eat a nice dinner and talk undistracted, we love love love our street and feel blessed each day to be here.

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Dave's work party was an iceskating party at the Gallivan. It was freezing!!! Ashley was miserable and then so happy back at our warm home. Andrew loved iceskating, which I sure didn't expect. He could hardly stand up in the skates so Dave and I took turns taking laps around the rink. We'd hold him under his armpits and tell him to stand up straight. It was an exhausting workout! Andrew just loved it and was so proud of himself so we'd go again and again. Santa and Mrs. Claus visited that party and were reminded again about Legos.

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Other notables...I hit the Thankgiving night midnight sales at the Park City outlet this year for my first time ever. I was home at 4:30 am, loved it, going again next year except next year I'll head straight to Toys R Us after!

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The Rowlands stayed at a hotel in Park City one night and invited us to come crash the pool with them. It was super warm and so fun. Andrew and Ashley were both happy as could be in the water, Andrew and Livie had lots of fun together, and it was super fun to pretend it was summer, just for a night.

   

We hope you are Enjoying the Season!