11. Arthur Christmas Movie
A couple of my friends and I took our kiddos to see the new movie, "Arthur Christmas". We were the only ones in the theater and the kids loved the freedom . . . maybe too much. The movie was very cute.
I then told everyone we should go to IHOP for Arthur Christmas Cookie pancakes that I'd seen on a commercial. We were seated with all these kids in a restaurant and when we asked the waitress about the pancakes she had no idea what I was talking about . . . . turns out they are at Dennys.
12. Zoo Lights
We toured the lights at the zoo. It was cool to be there at night and see all the lights. It was even cooler to each get a $10 gift card to Macy's from Santa. Wahoo!
Ava told us this guy didn't look like Santa (she was right) and she wasn't about to go talk to him. She did stand back and watch while Brielle filled Santa in on what Ava wants for Christmas (an Easy Bake Oven).
13. Christmas Shopping Date Night
We spent the morning at Target shopping with the kids. They each chose a name out of a hat and got to buy that sibling a present. It was fun to see them choose gifts for each other. They were so excited and have done a great job at keeping their big secrets.
That night was one of mine and Scott's best date nights ever. Our dear children were left at home in the caring and capable hands of Krista, Evan, Tawna and Kory for what we hear was quite a dance party. Scott and I went shopping. It honestly was a blast to have all the time we wanted to walk through Toys 'R Us and choose toys that we think our kids will love for Christmas. We hit a few stores, finished all of our shopping and then ended with a steak dinner. A wonderfully fun night together. We even wedding ring ($10) shopped for something to fit my giant, swollen sausage fingers!
14. Christmas Tea Party
Brie, Ava and I were invited to an annual tea party that Brian and Rachel put on. It is a little girl's dream. The house was overflowing with little girls and their mothers all dressed up. We ate little finger foods and desserts and chatted. My girls for sure LOVED it all.
15. Shortbread
When I finished baking and wrapping 60 plates of Scottish shortbread I texted Scott and said, "Are you sure we have to be Scottish?" It does take some time, but I really am glad we have this tradition. We once again made, wrapped and delivered shortbread to all of our friends and neighbors. It always makes me happy to see the girls so excited to run up to each door and GIVE something we've made.
The delivery man. He's a good sport to wear a skirt when it's 28 degrees outside.
Landon and Sarah invited all the Allred kids in these parts to our own special Christmas dinner. It was DELICIOUS. Seriously. And it is always fun to hang out together . . . . especially with Annie on piano and Brielle putting on a dance show for us.
17. Ava's Pre-school Christmas Performance
Ava actually got up in front of all the parents and sang (or mouthed the words to) Christmas songs in her pre-school Christmas program. It was, of course, very cute to see all those 4 year olds singing away. Ava was quite proud of herself.
18. Neighboor Treats
Zachary was VERY excited when our island counter looked like this and he discovered last year's candy canes inside.
The gifts from the neighbors started rolling in. Imagine his delight when now our counter looks more like this. Now every time the door bell rings Zachary goes running toward it yelling, "TREAT!!"
19. Sub for Santa
Scott got to coordinate his team at work to do a Sub for Santa for a single mom and her four kids. He came home in tears telling me about the day they had gone shopping. He got to shop for gifts for the 8 year old boy and a 4 year old girl. They also took good care of the mother. I'm so glad that he got the experience of providing Christmas to a family that didn't have the means this year.
20. Elf on The Shelf
When Scott was growing up they had an elf on a shelf that watched to see if they were bad or good and then reported to Santa. (As teenagers they terrorized the poor elf.) Rama gave us our own "Elf On the Shelf" a couple of years ago. The kids wake up every morning and come running out of their rooms, SO EXCITED to see where the elf has moved to in the house. He changes spots each night and watches them to make sure they are being good. Zachary stands in the middle of the room, looking up at him and shouts out his requests for Christmas presents - "I WANNA CAR!!!" Hopefully the elf is reporting this back to Santa.
We walked in my parent's front door just in time to change clothes and then the Christmas Eve party began. We were all excited to be there for Christmas Eve. We ate a delicious dinner together, acted out the nativity play again and decorated sugar cookies for Santa. My dad bore his testimony of the Savior after the play. It was very special and touching for me to be with him on this Christmas. I kept thinking how incredibly blessed we were to have him there. A miracle. We could have very easily not and I can't imagine how different and sad it would have been. Instead we were happy and very grateful to be together.
That night, once the kids were finally asleep, Santa came! He left presents that each of our kids were very happy to see when they woke up in the morning. Scott and I were thrilled to find the Diet Coke he left for us. 
And then we waited . . . for Krista to get up, Tawna and Kory to get up, Evan to get up, Mom and Dad to get up and put the quiche in . . . it was finally time to open presents.
Ava got the one and only thing she ever asked for - an Easy Bake Oven.
Grandpa wore his elf ears and Scott was nice enough to give him his very own BYU pen.
