Home for the Holidays

On Christmas Eve instead of making a huge mess, I mean cookies for Santa, we dipped pretzels in chocolate then sprinkled toffee chips and peppermint crumbs on them.


This year our family nativity was quite simple. We had a Mary and Joseph and two angels. I worked the video camera and Austin narrated. Although we had a few interruptions and extra noise, we felt the spirit and revelled in the simplicity of remembering Christ's birth.


Hooray! The children were able to open one present after the nativity -- new pajamas.


Christmas morn. We started about 7:40 and took our time enjoying each of the gifts as they were revealed. An a little more than an hour later and our traditional breakfast casserole was baked and we sat down to a delcious breakfast. Nick was already full from the fruit snacks and goldfish that were in his stocking.


Merry Christmas!


We certainly enjoyed being home for the holidays this year. Today is our third day staying in to be together. We've eaten delicious food, played endless games, and laughed until our sides ached. What a blessing to have small children who expect nothing and love everything. No regrets.

December Days

Nick is a nut. He mostly stacks cups in the drawer and begs for mints. Trains are his new love -- he was quite pleased when he lined up a train of 10 cars. He gives the most delicious kisses, and is learning how to say Andy's name. We think he is nice, except when he throws his hummus and pita chips across the table.



Maisie spends her time reading books and carrying around a basket of her favorites -- WEBKINZ poodle, a pink purse, Baby Jesus from a wooden nativity, and extra kleenex. She often shakes her booty to her own piano music and hums "Deck the Halls" during any lull. She's been a good sport to play outside with Andy.


Andy has spent hours in the snow. Because Maisie and Nick only last so long, he often plays alone. This year his new fettish is his Santa hat. I told him that he didn't have to comb his hair if he promised to not take the hat off while we were out and about. Yesterday he wore it the entire 4 hour shopping spree.



On Friday I helped in Meg's classroom for her Christmas party. I loved watching her interact with the other second graders. Today she gave a talk in church. Afterwards she was pretty excited that her talk went so well. Mostly Meg attends to her younger siblings morning, noon and night. However, she always has time to play her duet each time she walks past the piano; she also sings carols with me. Thursday she ate school lunch -- she said it was delicious, but that she would only eat hot lunch on days of "THE FEAST."

Christmas Projects

#1. Friday night I stayed up late to bake my nativity votives. The large votive has three wisemen and a camel. The medium votive has Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, and angels. And the small votive has stable animals. Although there are many flaws, when tea lights are lit inside and the lights are dimmed, the votive ambiance is quite nice.



#2. For an entire year we've been saving orange juice lids in the top drawer by the sink. For FHE we made them into ornaments for our poderosa pine outfront. The kids had a fantastic time decorating the tree in the freezing temperatures. (Sibs, I totally stole the idea from "The Virge." I know you recognize the situation.)





#3. Austin finally dug up the last of the carrots. No extra care or attention was given to these carrots, only about an extra 3 months in the ground. No, we did not eat them.

Our Dentist

Meg and Andy had their hygiene visits with Austin. Andy assisted Austin while putting sealants on Meg's molars. All the ladies were so patient with my loud group. Good times!

Jingle Bells Duet

(You'll probably have to pause playlist music to hear the duet.)

Senior Care Center

The first Sunday of every month the Kynaston family and our family sing at the local senior care center. Tonight we reenacted Luke 2, and included some Christmas carols and chimes. Our performance as far from perfect, but the elderly always love to hear the children.



Once home we watched the First Presidency Devotional while eating popcorn. Another beautiful Sabbath during this lovely holiday season.

A few funnies. Meg wanted to teach Andy how to play "pork chops" on the piano. Maisie wondered why we were singing "Joy to the Whale." She also was thrilled to hear "Kung Fu Panda" during the closing prayer, really the Sister Alread was praying for the inspired messages that touched the congregation. Andy was "Joseph" in our nativity, but could hardly sing because he had three pieces of gum in his mouth -- Meg and Maisie donated theirs' to his cause. Nick was crazy and loud during church, he even convinced Austin that he needed to have his diaper changed, but it was a false alarm. Nick simply wanted out of the chapel. Ah, Sunday reverence. Will it ever happen in my realm?

Christmas Cookies

I found cookie cutters that are the nativity. We spent the afternoon baking and decorating. The stress level didn't escalate until the very last moments.

Big News

We have some big news -- Meg lost her third tooth, and Andy decorated his brownie to look like Pablo. Hey, both these events are "big" around here......