December in Parts

December has been so busy!  I love it.  But also wish I had a clone that I could split my responsibilities with.  

I'll post more after Christmas, but here are some pre-christmas shenanigans that I got into!!!

Our Annual Relief Society White Elephant gift exchange!  This was the first, and most hilarious gift of the night.  

Cherie was thrilled to get a Santa head!  

See.....

Graden participated in his preschool Nativity Program.  It's always amazing!  He was Joseph.  This was his list for Santa.  

Mary~Joseph~Baby Jesus

Do to the boy girl ratio, we had wise girls instead of wise men.  I love their costumes!  Very flashy ladies! 

On the same day I had the girls party at school to do.  I made a bazillion sugar cookies for them to decorate.  They had an art project and ate a huge feast of snacks too.  It was fun! 

The first day of vacation the girls were invited to a Gingerbread making party.  They had a terrible time......can't you tell?????  

Not sure what happened in Taylor's chimney, she says Santa exploded.  Ew. 

Nattie's says BSU on the door!  Kinda like our house!

I've enjoyed this time of year.  I don't always.  I know that it's because I started Christmas shopping in August.  We are on a tight budget, so spreading it out like that took a huge weight off my shoulders.  

We even added our own little family gift exchange into the mix this year.  It was tough all going out with each other, but we made it happen!  

Tappin' away!

The girls started dance the beginning of the school year.  It was a tap/ballet/tumble class.  A friend in my ward teaches it.  They had their first recital on Saturday.  I think they were more excited to wear make up.  I told them they cannot wear it for real till they are in middle school.  Natalie quickly did the math.  She was not pleased.  

Here they are all ready to go! 

Taylor was super excited! She posed herself.  Should I be worried??? 

Natalie!  She was a little more unsure of how to pose!  But did great!

There were little girls as young as 2 dancing in another group.  It made me sad I never did it with the girls when they were younger.  Ugh...  Oh well.  This is the only "extra" thing they do.  But in March they will turn 8 and have activity days and start taking piano.  I may have to figure out if it's too much!  We'll see!  

Some "Ketchup"

Last Saturday was a busy one for us.  

Jason and I went to the Wyoming/BSU game.  It was beautifully sunny, but as soon as the shade hit us, I was more than grateful for the $1.24 I spent on 4 hand warmers from Walmart.  To say that I molested mine is a total understatement.  Like if I rubbed them more they would get hotter???  LOL! 

We came home for a moment of quiet, and then rushed off for a birthday party at Wahooz.  It was really fun, and I know it cost the parents a lot of money, so we blew our bedtimes out of the water and let the kids stay and play till 10!!  (If church were earlier than 11, I would have easily crushed those dreams.)

Our kids got to ride to Go-Carts.  

Have you ever thought for sure your kids COULD NOT do something only to totally blow your mind?  That is what the girls did.  I thought there was no way they would be able to drive.  By themselves.  Alone.  Without Jason or I.  Did I mention they would be manning a go-cart ALONE? 

Well they rocked it!  Did a great job!

Graden however was a wee bit too short to ride alone, so in the 30 degree weather, he and Jason hit the track!  

Burke and I spent a lot of time walking the arcade.  Burke touched every button, lever, handle, blinking light he could find. (And reach)... :)  We ended up on a bench waiting for Jason and the bigs' to get done with their second round of laser tag.  We watched videos on my phone, sang Once There Was a Snow Man.  It was darling.  

Then this kid sat down that looked somewhat like my nephew Mason.  I COULD NOT convince Burke is was not Mason.  He kept saying "Matin, Matin.."  And he was going to touch him!  I caught him just in time!

We all came home exhausted.  Totally.  But it was a great day!  

{Especially when Jason and I got on the WRONG shuttle back to the car....}

But I won't mention that!  Ha!