Christmas Advent: 11 - 20

IS CHRISTMAS HERE YET?

Day 11: The Nutcracker. I took Brielle to the Nutcracker last year and she was absolutely amazed by it. I took her again this year and it was the same. She sat on the edge of her seat, she loved the music, oohhed over the costumes and followed the story with so much excitement. We don't go downtown to the Capitol Theater (I think that is too much to spend for a 5 year old). A local ballet company performs here close by for only $8 a ticket. They really do an incredible job. I love it too.

This is apparently what Ava and Zachy did at home with Daddy.

Day 12: Deliver Shortbread. The day of the Nutcracker was also spent making Scottish Shortbread. All. Day. Long. I made so much shortbread. Enough to deliver 50 plates. Yes, FIFTY plates. Kind of crazy, but I really do like having this be our tradition. I'm glad to carry on something from Fred at Christmas time. Oh, and his shortbread recipe is always raved about. That's what butter and sugar will do!

I baked and baked on Saturday and then on Sunday evening we went out to deliver shortbread to all of our neighbors/ward friends. Brielle sang "We Wish You A Merry Christmas" with a lot of enthusiasm at every single door!

Day 13: Family Home Evening about Nativity and Christmas Jello Jigglers. We gathered around our "Little People" Nativity for FHE. We told the story of Jesus' birth and let the girls move the characters into place. Then Scott made Christmas shaped Jello Jigglers with them. (Ava had just done her hair up real nice for the event.)

Day 14: Christmas Piano Concert and Deliver More Shortbread. After Ava's ballet class we ventured out to the mall for the John Schmidt Christmas Concert. We ate lunch and watched/listened to him play the piano.

That evening we had even more shortbread to deliver. We went out this time to family and close friends that don't live right in our neighborhood. Scott was nice enough to wear his kilt again.

Day 15: Visit Grandma and Papa. The kids and I went for the afternoon to visit Grandma Rama and Papa Fred. We got to see their decorated tree, play with their Christmas village and eat dinner together.

Day 16: Decorate Gingerbread House. We picked up a Gingerbread House kit at Costco. They've got something great going there. The house is already put together for you. The frosting is just like glue and every part of it smells and tastes so disgusting that no one wants to eat it while working. Except Zachary. He got up on the table, grabbed all the candy he could get his hands on and was shrieking and laughing an evil little laugh. He was tormenting us all until he finally got escorted away up to the bath.

Day 17: Christmas Preschool Party. Brielle had her Preschool Christmas Social and Program. It was, of course, very cute. The kids (which are not all in the pictures) sang us lots of songs and then showed us the Christmas crafts they have made.

Ava and Brielle with Ms. Chris. Boy, do we love her as Brielle's preschool teacher. Ava will be there next year! Hallelujah!

and Polar Express Movie with Hot Chocolate. That night we watched "The Polar Express". We had just received cozy blankets from our Oregon cousins in the mail for Christmas. We wrapped up in them, drank hot chocolate and watched the movie. I really like this movie. Ava and Zachy didn't watch any of it and were sent off to bed, but Brie endured and loved it.Day 18: "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever". Saturday morning Scott woke up with the kids (best present ever). He made them snowman pancakes for breakfast.

We cleaned the house and ran errands all day. Then Scott and I got to go on a date that night. Yahoo! We went to dinner at a Noodle House and had DELICIOUS Vietnamese Pho and lettuce wraps. Wow. It was so good. The perfect thing for a cold night. Scott then took me to see a play of "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever". This is a story his mom used to read to him every Christmas. Last year he read me a chapter every night before bed. It is THE cutest story. If you have school aged kids you must read this with them. The play was at an old playhouse in Magna. Yes, Magna. It was not great, but it was fun to go with Scott and hear the story again.

Day 19: Christmas Program in Sacrament Meeting and Primary. We went to church and watched the choir perform in Sacrament Meeting. It was beautiful. I did Sharing Time in Primary. We used the costumes that my sister-in-law made for me last year to have the kids act out the nativity story. We sang songs along with the story and then talked about how Jesus lived, died, but lives again. And one day he will come again to the earth.

Zachary wore his kilt to church for his Christmas outfit. He also started stepping around a little bit more on Sunday. Maybe he really will walk for real one day.

Buchanan Family Christmas. That evening we celebrated Christmas with the Buchanan Family. Brian and Rachel hosted a delicious dinner of ham and potatoes and a great party.

We then got out the costumes again (thank you Laura) to act out the nativity story. Here is all the cast dressed and ready for the big show. I was the narrator.

Shepherd abiding their flocks by night and the angel of the Lord.

Wisemen coming from the east with their gifts.

"We Wish You A Merry Christmas" by Brian on the bagpipes.

And even presents!

Day 20: Christmas Sing Along. Right before we left for the Christmas Sing Along downtown we got a very important phone call. Santa Claus called our house! He called and talked to Brielle about what she wanted for Christmas. He knew everything! Ava was too scared to talk, but nodded her head when he asked if she wanted a puppy for Christmas. So cool. (Scott's work does this every year.)

We went downtown to a packed house at the annual Christmas Carol Sing Along. It is a free event, they hand out a cookie and a bunch of freebies when you walk in. The orchestra plays and everyone sings Christmas songs together. I love the idea of it. It really was cool, but the kids got bored quick.

If you know Brielle, you would not be surprised to hear that she entertained herself by dancing ballet for the crowd above watching her. She really got into it.

Ballet ended and some real shaking and grooving started when we all started singing "Heark, The Herald Angels Sing". You know how it is. Ava was doing some gangsta grooving of her own.

Until the usher booted them off of their "stage" and then we took them all home and put them to bed. And I wrapped presents until midnight. Whew!