December tidbits and lots of parties

I finally used a gift card to Picaboo that Danny gave me for my birthday to put together a really nice book for Caleb. I love the way it turned out. I also actually got out Christmas cards this year. It was a pretty big year for our family so I wanted to make sure we sent them out. It doesn't happen every year but I love getting them and I love sending them out.

UPS delivered this to our door after 9 PM one night. It wasn't supposed to be seen by Cole for a certain reason (cough) but he saw it and was asking all sorts of questions about why it came. We simply told him that we ordered it for Caleb as our Christmas present to him {even though we told Cole that we probably wouldn't buy anything big for Caleb this year. Our story had to change}. It came just like in the picture. Torn  in a couple spots and the plastic was ripped and exposing the toys. Not that it's breakable, but come on Amazon...stick it in a box, for the love. The plastic window is just that--PLASTIC. I swore up and down that I'd email Amazon and express my disgust. I was too lazy...

The day before Christmas Eve, I was too excited to wait and I knew Caleb wouldn't mind. Heck, it was halfway open anyway from shipping... He was waaaaay overstimulated the first time. So much to see and look at!

Cole liked it too

As with everything, it has its limits. Love Caleb's face here. He's like, "who the heck do you think you are?"

Danny's loot from work

 A lot of cookies were made in December. A LOT. A lot were also consumed. I'm still paying for it.

and on to the parties...

Miller {Extended} Party

Nate was on camera duty since he was sporting his fancy shmancy new camera. It was nice to sit back and let someone else document our lives for the morning. This Saturday was a tad crazy because we went from this party which was in North Salt Lake to home in Riverton, then down to Provo for a party on Danny's side of the family.

After lunch with the Millers, a special visitor showed up and had everyone singing Christmas songs. He was a nice guy. We chatted with him for a bit afterwards.

Cole wouldn't go near Santa. He was avoiding him at all costs. Not sure what the deal was.

After the party with the Whites down in Provo, Danny and Cole joined up with Aunt Tammi and kids to this free version of the Polar Express. It's such a cute little thing this family does for free every year! I love how they incorporate the Savior into the experience. They rode along on a mini train and looked at pictures of the Savior's life that were lit up along the track. Then at the end, Santa talked to the group about the real meaning of Christmas. I wish I could have gone but Caleb was starving and I was on the hunt for warm water to make a bottle and it just didn't work out. Danny said it was really cool and I hope to go next year. Apparently the tickets go really fast every year so I'm grateful Aunt Tammi told us about it when she did!

This family must be filthy rich to do this all season long for free. They gave out candy canes at the end to each of the kids and it was such a neat experience for them. I seriously want to write them a thank you card for taking the time to do this each year and for keeping the emphasis on the Savior. 

Ward Party

I hardly have any friends in our ward so this will document that well. The dinner was DELISH. Santa was there {we seriously saw 5 or 6 different Santas in December...it was out of control}. Brother Lunt took pictures of all the families with Santa and then there was a little program put on. Danny and I joined in on an impromptu Spanish version of Silent Night with a small group of Spanish singers in the ward. I always love when I get to sing in Spanish so that was a treat.

Forcing Caleb and Sarah to love each other. They're only 5 days apart.

Kara, me and Leah

Kara is friends with Stefani Winkelkotter and she introduced herself after Stef let us know that we needed to be friends. I was grateful for the heads up! What a small world! 

Celebrating with the Andersons

Our goal was to get all the newlyweds to hold him and want to have kids...quickly :)

Cole assuring Henry that he wasn't actually getting Chicken in a Biskit for the gift exchange.

Awesome photo bombing by Nate

The program was great as always. I love that Grandma and Granddad have kept the nativity script with the music all these years. I think I'd like to get a copy of it to keep the tradition alive for years to come.

Cole was the star {technically the BOW was the star...}

Miller Nativity

It's interesting to watch families grow each year. Traditions change and evolve just like people do. This year, the nativity probably wouldn't have happened if Amanda hadn't boosted my spirits after I was feeling down. I didn't feel like anybody wanted to participate in it {I have kind of taken charge of it} and December is such a busy month anyway. Instead of doing it on Christmas Eve, we did it on a separate day so that the families who wanted to do their own thing on Christmas Eve, could still participate. I always enjoy watching the children act out the nativity and Kam has hooked us up with awesome costumes.

Julia kept her cool even though Baby Jesus was getting impatient.

Sibling Party

I got a nasty flu bug the day after Christmas and missed out on a fun party with all the siblings on the White side. They got together and played games and ate good food. I hate missing out on all the fun. Danny was so thoughtful and brought me home a plate of food.

I'm exhausted after looking at all the parties we went to! Phew. December was crazy busy as it always is but it's the good kind of crazy. We're lucky to be close to so much family.