What a great Sunday before Christmas we had! We went to my parents ward and their sacrament program was amazing, then I got to listen to my Mom teach gospel doctrine...she did an amazing job. After church both my Grammy and my Nana came for dinner and dessert, it was fun to sit around the table and talk. They both shared wonderful stories and we got laughing hard! The kids played with Lego's and then a special visitor came...SANTA!!! Chloe answered the door and did exactly what she did last year, took off running down the hall. It took her a couple minutes but she warmed up to Santa and sat on his lap to tell him what she wanted for Christmas. Jackson had no problem, and Ella jumped and then started bawling. We all took turns telling Santa what we wanted for Christmas and then he let us pick out a special treat from his sack...Christmas suckers! He promised he'd be back in a couple nights and said he was happy with how good the kids have been this year. Thanks for the special stop Santa!!!

This morning Jackson came down stairs early, dressed, and excited! He came into my bedroom and asked if he could snuggle with me. I opened the covers and he crawled in. "I love you so much, when is it time to go?, Mom, I am so excited, do you know why?, today is my first play". For weeks Jackson has been anticipating his first grade class play of "The Gingerbread Man" and the day had finally come! He had been given the part of the old man. We practiced his lines, picked out a costume and he could hardly keep from jumping out of his skin. He got to preform twice, first for some students at school and then for parents, family, and friends. They started by singing some darling songs complete with actions and props and then went behind the curtain to get ready. He wore a brown vest and Mrs. Porter's glasses and looked darling...I am so proud of him, he did an awesome job. He said his lines so clear and was darling on the stage. After the kids handed out gingerbread cookies to all of their guests. I am so impressed with Jackson's school, class and his teacher. The play was a huge hit!

Back in November Parker had the awesome opportunity to go to the BYU-Utah game with my brothers, sister, and my Dad. He said it was really fun to go, and he had a blast with the fam, the only thing that would've made it better would have been if we had won! He told me a story after about when they were walking to the game with their "BYU attire" on, a little girl walked up to them and said "BYU stinks" Parker was shocked at the age these kids start their Blue Hatred. I'm sure it goes both ways though...Jackson and Chloe already know who to cheer for!

Last night we went up to Salt Lake to do a little Christmas shopping. We met Jared and Jenny and their family and Parker's parents at Gateway. The kids were so excited to see each other. The lights were beautiful and the company was unbeatable! We walked around the shops and then went to dinner at Iggy's. After we drove to Draper to look at Christmas lights and wrap presents.

I love this time of year and the reminder of our Savior's birth. I love looking back on the past year and reflecting on things that I've learned and the accomplishments I've made and then setting new goals for the year ahead. I love sending and receiving Christmas cards. I love making homemade fudge and taking it around! I love watching as my children get so excited for Christmas and giving each other the gifts that they've carefully picked with lots of love. I love traditions that have been passed down and ones that are new. Cheers to this wonderful time of year!!!

The Sunday before Thanksgiving we left for Palm Desert, California. My kids are such good travelers! We made great time even though we took a detour through the Mojave National Preserve on a dirt road full of pot holes, rocks and no cell service or anyone to bail us out if we popped a tire, for 27 miles. We just told the kids it was a part of California they would never have gotten to see otherwise. Parker's parents and Ryan, Natalie and their kids were already there. We spent 2 1/2 days with the Kemps and then on Wednesday my family got there along with my Aunts, Uncles, Grandparents, and cousins from my Mom's side and we moved over to where they were staying and Jared, Jenny and kids got there and had our room. The weather was awesome the entire week! We got to swim everyday, go on walks, watch movies, play games, shop, and spend time with family. Parker went golfing with my Dad and brothers (twice), and I got to have some time shopping with the girls. We had a wonderful Turkey dinner provided by Marie Callendars and it was great to catch up with my cousins. While we were there Jackson caught a HUGE toad and a gecko. The ride home was a little harder then the ride there, but my kids did amazing. While driving on the right road through the Mojave desert Parker spotted a tarantula (with his new lasik laser vision) and so we flipped around and Parker not only took pictures, but put him in a cup that had a screw on lid and threw him in the back of the car. The kids named him Harold. We had a wonderful vacation, it was just what we needed!