Christmas Eve

We hiked for three hours today.  We don't have a carrier for 18 lb. baby Ryan; I held him the entire time.  Brilliant weather.

 I actually let the children make their own cinnamon breads.  We left a few slices out for Santa (which he added to the breakfast casserole.)

This year our nativity had all the parts with the proper genders.  Seriously, and with only one added guest -- our favorite, Aunt Shelly.  The entire production lasted three minutes.

 The angels.

 The shepherdesses.

 The wise men.

 Joseph, Mary and Little Lord Jesus.

And, matching jammies.  Ed would not be photographed.  Because I only purchased 5 yards of fabric with directional print, Ryan does not have any.

Children stayed awake until after midnight.  Aunt Shelly, the elf, worked hard to earn her keep.  She wrapped 15+ gifts, made the breakfast casserole and cleaned up.  Santa and Mrs. Claus would have been up all night.

December 23rd

 Today can be defined by laundry.  I walked by the drying uniforms (polo shirts) this afternoon and noticed someone had moved them into rainbow order.  It was my dear Meg.

She then came to dinner dressed in heals and a head scarf.  The best part was her dancing and tapping during dishes.  We were laughing so hard at her, not necessarily with her.  That girl.

December 22nd

Today was movie day.  We sat in the family room and watched hours and hours of Christmas movies on Netflix.
I was going to make bread, but found a loaf in the freezer.  Ed found the flour bucket before I got it put away.

 We stayed in pajamas all day.

 Well, Maisie didn't.

 Finishing the movie day with a movie for FHE.

December 21st

Today was our Christmas Sacrament Meeting Program.  Natalie and I compiled it.  I was involved with seven of the major numbers.  Needless to admit, I am spent.

Post-church pictures.

 My messy room and me.

How I really look -- always with a baby in my arms.

December 20th

Besides climbing a mountain with a baby in my arms, the other highlight of Saturday was going to the Mesa Temple to see the lights.

 Aunt Shelly met us there!

 Austin bought us Krispy Kreme doughnuts on the way home!  That's not snow, it's a dirty windshield.

December 19th

We traveled to Grandma B.'s house today.  We were met by two adoring grandparents, a lovely Christmas feast and a beautifully decorated home.

 A good game of dominoes followed.

December 18th

Today began at 5:15 am because Maisie wanted to take cinnamon rolls to her class.  

 Today ended at 11:15 when I finally finished packing teacher gifts and sending out a few cards.

December 17th

This middle child of mine is rarely on insta or the blog.  Today he held the baby all afternoon so I could continue holiday prep.  Nick loves Ryan.  Ryan loves Nick.  I love Nick and Ryan.