Christmas Morning

Bright and early on Christmas morning...  Santa came and everyone was delighted with what they received.

I have said that I can't wait for the year that Emma doesn't ask for a horse, but in truth that will be very sad for me, it will mean that she is getting older. This year she told me that most of her friends were asking for electronics, she still asked for toys and I am so glad she did.

Grandma and Grandpa Bogh gave each of the kids their own special journal with a special message inside, they absolutely love them.  They write and draw in them, they are a treasure for sure.

This picture is what Allie would do before she opened each gift, she would hold it and pose until I took her picture, she would not open a gift without her picture taken holding her, She has been trained will.

This i what Christmas is all about love and giving, and tired parents soaking it all in!

 Favorite gifts: Madi's is her i-pod touch     Emma loves her cowgirl boots

 C.J. loves his paintball gun as well as his remote controlled helicopter.

Allie would be happy with anything, but her slide and Minnie Mouse doll are at the top of her list.

Christmas Eve 2012

We opened up our Christmas Eve gifts, which the kids have now learned will always be pajamas, but they didn't care they were so excited that the traditions were starting and that Christmas was almost here.

Allie had just been awakened from a long winters nap and was not sure how to feel about the whole thing.

A Christmas eve family photo, Tom looks like he is about ready to rob a bank, but I assure you that it has just been really cold, and layers are a must.

She was still not amused...

This years nativity with all of our Thalman cousins our family provided a wise man, a shepherd, and an angel that is hiding behind the other angels.

Thanks to grandma for providing all the organization and fun costumes, we also had a Holy Supper which is always wonderful and a great reminder of why we enjoy this season so much.

All ready for bed, the plate of cookies and carrots was set out and ready, and as hard as I tried to get a decent picture of everyone it was a failure, the excitement in the air was so thick it could not be contained.

Let it Snow

 The Saturday before Christmas we decided that we need to go and play in some of the fresh snow.  The kids had been plying in it all week at home, but they were ready to go real sledding. So we bundled up and went.

 I did take other pictures with my phone, but I still need to put them on the computer.

That night we drove up the Temple Square to see the lights.  We hadn't been there since Madi was a baby, so it was fun to take the kids.  It was crazy busy, but it wasn't as cold as it had been, and I will take more people over being cold every time.

 It was so beautiful, and when you go with cousins and grandparents it makes it even more fun.  I don't think that I had ever looked so close at the door knobs to the temple, but they are amazing, C.J. totally agreed.

 The lights were beautiful as well as the Nativity, and the reflections pools. It was such a fun trip and a great reminder of the reason we celebrate this wonderful holiday.

The next morning we headed off to church in new Sunday duds, this picture wasn't taken until after church, so they kids look a little frazzled but still as darling as ever.

December

 I need to do a quick recap of the month of December, or I am sure one day it will be sad that I didn't...

 The girls danced at Christmas Tree Lane

 Allie decided that that Christmas lights worked great as microphones and entertained us with her musical talents while we hung the lights on the house.

 Freddy has could be found all over the house.  I loved hearing feet pounding up the stairs around the house on the hunt for him each morning.  Allie still asks to look for him on a daily basis.  She sure misses the trees, lights, and our neighbors blow-up Santa lawn decor that she had to wave good bye to each night before bed.
Madison played the saxophone in the 6th grade band concert.  All in all I think they did a great job considering that they had only learned to play their instruments a few months ago.

 We got to see Santa again at our annual ward party.  This was the first time he had to come visit our ward party so the kids were pretty excited!

We decorated our gingerbread house, as you can see Emma was excited about the candy part.  I got smart and hot glued the gingerbread together before we started decorating, it made the process so much easier, and faster.

 A few more pictures of Freddy, toilet papering our Chirstmas tree, and sledding down the railing.  Emma had me take a picture each day so that she can make a book about Freddy.

The girls also danced in the annual production of the Nutcracker.  Emma was a candy cane, and Madison was a snowflake, as well as one of the greeters.

 They did such a great job, it is so fun to see them enjoy dancing, most of the time...

 I think part of the reason they enjoy it so much is because they get to hang-out with some of their favorite people, their cousins.  Look at there beautiful girls, even in terrible lighting, they look amazing.