It's Beginning to Feel a lot like Christmas!

We were a little slow getting festive at our house... it was hard coming home from 60's in St. George home to December and Christmas... but hanging my wreath, singing some songs, and getting some snow snapped me into gear!

"But the prettiest sight to see is the holly that will be on your own front door!"

The kids got excited as we got out the Christmas books, 

 hung the stockings, 

strung some lights, 

 

played Santa Claus,

and wrote letters to him, too!

Last Saturday we enjoyed our ward Christmas breakfast.  (The centerpieces were amazing!)

Tyler wanted to be with his big sisters for the Primary songs so Maddie held his hand and helped him climb up and down. Pretty cute. 

That afternoon we bundled up and braved the snowstorm to buy our Christmas tree.

We always go to a little tree lot on Lehi Main street and the people recognize us now. We started with just two snowbunnies and now we have four!

We ran around to spot the right tree... hurrying because we were so cold!

One of our snowbunnies didn't last long and had to hop back in the car to get warm. 

Maddie loves to play in the snow and may have stayed at Happy Valley trees while if we let her.

This just made a pretty little picture... hauling the tree home on the family van in a snowstorm. 

Didn't get much of the process, but the kids watched A Mickey Christmas Carol and the Polar Express while I strung the lights, and everybody helped decorate (a little). It was Ella Bella's turn to put the star on top this year.
 

Tyler was super excited to get out the Christmas train. He's been asking for weeks and I'm surprised he remembers it from last year when he was only 18 months old. The kids like to give their little doll family and various other toys rides.

Ella's preschool teacher was so cute and had all the kids lined up as silent Santa's to greet their parents at pick-up. She said, "I don't know where Ella went but you can take this Santa home with you!"
 

We enjoyed watching the Christmas Devotional while we cut out fun little paper nativities.

Tyler felt like he had his own little people and animals like Mommy's. He also noticed we have books about them... love the little connections kids make. Maddie noticed this year that Christmas is spelled with "Christ". We are trying to remember to make him the center of our celebration by giving and loving those around us. Tonight Ella said, "The true spirit of Christmas is giving, not getting." I guess she was listening.

Jake at 7 months

Jake's little milestones have been swallowed up lately by the holiday hullabaloo, but I am still enjoying them and want to remember them!

I tried to do our picture with the bear again, but let's face it, this guys doesn't hold still much anymore. He is getting busy busy!

He's also getting strong which meant it was time to say bye bye to the bumbo and use a real chair to strap him down!

He loves to suck on apple or pear slices when I'm busy. He really loves anything you put in his mouth, but he usually eats baby oatmeal in the morning, applesauce and pumpkin for lunch, and some kind of veggie for dinner. He's not very patient and wants it all in his mouth all at once!

Sometimes the most entertaining thing is to make a big mess. Then he can have his choice of all the toys! It's fun to watch him play because he scooches now!!! He spots something across the room and army crawls until he can get it. He has started rocking on his knees and it's not going to be long till we have a crawler. It kinda makes me sad that he's growing up, but then again, he can entertain himself better while mommy is doing a million other things.

The siblings still fight over who can hold him, but he so strong now nobody can keep ahold of him for long.

His best trick is the balance hold with Daddy. They perfected that over Thanksgiving break. It's so cute to watch him flap his arms like a little bird to keep his balance.

Ella Turns 5

Ella Bella was so lucky to celebrate her birthday with cousins this year. In fact, she got to have a sleep over at Emrie's hotel the night before her birthday! Can't get any better than that.

While she was away the birthday fairies worked their magic, hanging Ella and Maddie's homemade stars and white puffy clouds to transform Grandma's house into Care-a-lot.

The birthday girl arrived and got lots of birthday hugs! 

While she was hugging Daddy she spotted her Care Bear cake. 

Ella requested Lucky Charms for her birthday cereal (about 7 months ago). It was perfect because it had rainbow and star marshmallows!

After church we had birthday lunch of stuffed shells (also Ella's request) and then cake. When I was looking for Care Bear cake ideas online Ella asked for a fancy fondant one. I told her I didn't know if I could pull it off, and she said, "Well Grandma can then!" We did utilize Grandma's mad skills to make the bears, but I figured out the rest! Fondant is actually pretty fun to work with, and easier than it looks. Toothpicks, cardboard, and hot glue certainly helped.

Ella got super spoiled by all the nice gifts. They know her well... Care Bear and Hello Kitty galore! She is also really excited about her new gymnastics leotard and rolling suitcase (like Maddie's).

Speaking of excited, Emrie was excited to give Ella leggings that matched her's!

We ended the festivities with a rainbow pinata. The birthday girl got the first swing..... or five...

And then every kid in succession took a turn at bat. Maddie...

Emrie...

 Daxton...

Tyler...

Bodie...

We thought Jaymison might be the one to break it open...

But in the end we had to get Uncle Zak to help us. Whammy!

Ella requested bubbles for all and we added star and heart slinkies, and of course candy!

My little care bear is really so caring. I often tell Ella she has a soft heart because she is sensitive to other people's needs and likes to be a helper. She definitely has a spunky streak and is known for her lungs when she's upset, but most of the time she is a ray of sunshine in our family. I can't believe we've had her for five years!