December Happenings

Wow!  December is flying by.  As usual, it's been filled with traditions and parties and snow and cookies-- way too many cookies!  Here's a few pictures of our December adventures thus far:

Playing in the Snow

We've had quite a bit of snow this month.  The kids love helping Daddy shovel the driveway (I wonder how long that will last) and sledding at the school across the street from our house.  Winter is magical for kids.  I just wish it wasn't so much work for Mama (hats, gloves, boots, etc...)

Visiting Santa

This year we made our trip to visit Santa early in the season.  It was sooooo great-- no line, at all!  The kids were in such good spirits and Santa was excited to see them.  They got to sit on his lap and chat him up.  They talked about their favorite candies and told him what they want for Christmas (A Jake Hideout and an American Girl Doll).  Santa reminded them to be nice and then asked if he could sing Ruby's favorite Christmas song with them-- Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.  It was precious.  Wyatt wasn't sure about the experience at first, but at least he didn't cry and I did get a picture of him with 'Ol Saint Nick.  

BYU MBA Christmas Party

One of Brandon's classmates threw a great holiday party for all of the students.  It was held at the Awful Waffle in Provo (of which he is a part owner)-- soooooo tasty, folks.  They didn't have places like that around when we were in school.  Provo is getting classy! lol

The Annual Hansen Christmas Party

My cousin's annual Christmas shindig is my favorite party of the year.  Every year she invites us to donate to a local charity and come party.  We always have a great time feasting, visiting, and laughing.  This year we even did an ugly sweater decorating contest, and yes, I modeled our team's pooping Rudolph sweater (How did we not get a decent picture of that one?)

Ruby's Christmas Dance Recital

Our tiny dancer almost didn't go on stage this year (flashbacks to the last Christmas recital).  Just before her routine she got a little stage fright.  She was a brave little toaster though and went on despite a few crocodile tears.  She did great, as always.  I love watching her dance.  She is such a joy.  Afterwards we celebrated in the usual way-- with cupcakes at The Sweet Tooth Fairy.

Decorating the Casa

I really love decorating for the holidays.  It helps put me in the Christmas spirit.  Since Thanksgiving was so late this year I actually started the process before Turkey day.  This adorable faux deer got me in a little bit of trouble with Brandon.  I loved it right away (and he hated it right away).  Good thing it was non-refundable.  I think she's a great addition to the holiday decor, don't you?

USS Annual Holiday Party

Brandon's company always throws the nicest parties.  Besides the lovely dinner and lots of great entertainment-- The Cescent Super Band (these guys are the real deal-- totally amazing!) and a few really funny comedians, it's nice to catch up with his coworkers and their wives.

Cookie Decorating
The other day the kids decided that they wanted gingerbread cookies, so I obliged.  They had a great time decorating them with frosting and sprinkles.  We made them for the ladies at the gym day care (the irony of that act is not lost on me), but somehow plenty ended up in our tummies as well.

Christmas Lights at Thanksgiving Point

Thanksgiving Point has one of the best drive-thru light displays ever.  The kids love sitting on our laps and checking out the lights.  Wyatt was especially happy to sit on Daddy's lap and drive the car. lol  The next day when we went to pile in the car he offered to drive us again. Nice try, buddy; but you have to wait about 14 more years for that to happen.

J-Dawg and the girls visited!

J-Dawg (Jamie) is one of my favorite people in the whole world, unfortunately she lives in Chicago now.  She and I taught together when we were fresh out of college and newly married.  Through the years we've remained friends and get together whenever our paths cross.  She has the most scrumptious little girls in the world-- Charlotte and Jane. Charlotte and Ruby were instant friends.  After hours of decorating cookies, playing dress up, and hanging out Ruby was disappointed that Charlotte had to leave.  She pouted quite a bit and proclaimed "I wanted my friend to stay forever."  Ahhhhh, me too, Ruby.  Me, too.

Ruby's Christmas Preschool Program

Little Miss Ruby participated in the cutest preschool program just a few days ago.  She sang songs, played the tambourine, bells, and entertained us with her cute smile and gold digging (read: nose picking).  Ahh, I love this age.

Christmas Sunday Church Service

The Sunday before Christmas is always my favorite.  I love dressing the kiddos up in coordinating outfits.  I love the special musical program and I love being reminded of the life and miraculous birth of our Savior-- the true reason for this magical season.

This is what happens when you ask a 2 and 4 year old to stand close and stake a picture: 

Scene 1- happy

Scene 2- Ruby: "Let's hug!" Wyatt: "No!"

 Scene 3- Wyatt: "Don't touch me!" Ahh, Christmas spirit...

Thanksgiving in Park City

This year over the Thanksgiving break we partied it up at the Linford family reunion in Park City.  It was, by far, our favorite family reunion thus far.  Even though there were about 30 of us, there was plenty of space-- all of the adults had beds and with 6 bathrooms there were plenty of toilets and showers to make us all happy campers.

We had lots of fun visiting with the cousins and aunts and uncles.  The kiddos really enjoyed getting to know their second cousins.  Ruby and Kate (7) and Eliza (4) were inseparable.  They spent almost the entire trip playing with Beanie Boos.  Wyatt got especially attached to his cousin Grant (9).  He proclaimed that Grant was his best buddy.  :)

While we were up there we hit the slopes, even though it was still a little early in the season.  Brandon and I enjoyed a few hours to ourselves with the big kids and then checked Ruby out of the day care so that she could try skiing also.  She had a great time riding the magic carpet and gliding down the bunny hill.  By the end of the day she wanted to jump on the magic carpet with out any help-- so independent!

We also had a good time learning about our family history, playing games, and catching up with everyone.  The time passed all too quickly.  We can hardly wait to do it all over again in 2 years.