Christmas Eve

The kids in their Christmas best :)

Christmas Eve Advent...

A mischievous Samuel the Lamanite...

Gathered for Christmas hymns and scripture reading...

Happy Christmas to all and to all a good night!  :)

12 Days Activities

We did our traditional 12 days of Christmas countdown activities - there are several activities that we've done every year and others that change.  But I love making paper candy canes with the kids - they are easy for them to do and they make a cute decoration on our table :)

One evening we went to the train park to see the Christmas lights...

After the train ride, we rode the carousel...

We made Christmas treats for our neighbors....

We had a cinnamon roll breakfast at Corner Bakery...

We watched Frozen at our favorite theater...

Chocolate Fondue night!

And a visit to the tallest Christmas tree and Santa...

Claire didn't want to sit on Santa's lap this time - in fact, she was very grumpy about it.... so this is the pic we got.... hahahaha

I love Christmas time!

Preschool Christmas Program

Jake had his preschool Christmas program - he sang several songs with his class and afterwards we had treats and visited with Santa...

Jake is telling Santa he wants a robot as tall as his house...

Center Stage Stars!

Emma started participating in a singing and dancing tour group through a talented friend who teaches them out of a dance studio in her home.  It has been an incredible experience for Emma - it's pushed her to become more comfortable performing in front of large groups of people and her singing ability has grown so much!  I'm proud of my Emma lou.  

The group is called "Center Stage Stars" and for the Christmas show, they were dressed in a Who-ville style - which resulted in some awesome hair do's. :) 

Emma had a solo part singing "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas".  She did so well!  I was so surprised seeing her belt it out so loudly in front of the large group of strangers at the outdoor shopping mall the first time.  It was so awesome :)  

Emma's group performed at two outdoor shopping malls (Desert Ridge and Tempe Marketplace) and also at an assisted living center.  At the end of the touring, they had a recital performance at the Stake Center for families and friends.  At Tempe Marketplace, there was a "snowfall" after the performance... 

They had a meet and greet with Santa at the nursing home...  :)

Recital night!  Becca is part of the Preparatory Tour Group - once she is 8, she can join with the big kids and tour around to other venues, but for now she still does weekly practices and then does two shows during the recital evening.  Becca had a solo singing Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer :)  She's such a sweetie - I'm so proud of her!

Our fun family who came to support my little ladies...

Tour Group sure made our Christmas season extra awesome!

The Nutcracker

Grandma took us to see the Nutcracker play - it was a fun night!

Whenever we are out late, Becca always falls asleep - she has a really hard time staying up past 8pm.  :)