Christmas Morning

We had a leisurely Christmas morning with just our little family. Because our stockings are in storage in Maryland Santa had to find something else to stuff this year-- each boy woke to find a LEGO storage case stuffed with goodies. There were also new church bags, complete with new pencil rolls and church books (which are so easy to find in Utah). The boys opened their stockings and then we had a big breakfast. We then went in to open presents. We stayed with our tradition of a toy, a book and an outfit for each of the boys.

I think that Isaac takes the cake for enthusiasm this year. When he opened his train set he jumped up and down, clapping and yelling. It rivaled another Christmas memory of Luke listening to the Lion King soundtrack for the first time. I do love two year olds. The rest of the morning was spent putting together LEGO sets and running trains over the tracks.

There are no pictures of Christmas dinner with the Bells. I was exhausted by that point. Aaron worked his magic in the kitchen and we enjoyed ham, scalloped potatoes, and some other goodies. We finished the day reading the Christmas story by the light of the Christmas tree-- it was a perfect day.






The boys got Nat a Sears tower LEGO set which now sits on his desk at work:




My mom's cat lives with us and the boys were really excited to get her something for Christmas. They tried to get her to open the gift on her own but she was not interested.

Christmas Eve

We hosted Christmas Eve dinner at my mom's house this year. Four out of the five siblings were present. This is the first Christmas that my kids have ever spent with my side of the family. The cousins were in heaven together. I missed Chicago at Christmastime, the Walnut room and all the Fredin traditions but we managed well. I cooked a turkey using Martha's dry brine recipe. I have to say, it was the best turkey I have ever had. There were simple and traditional sides. We were all so stuffed that we didn't even make it to desert. We fed the kids first and then set them down to watch a Christmas movie and then we enjoyed quiet conversation and Martinelli's.








You know it's been a good night when the kitchen ends up looking like this:

Christmas Outfits (and Santa)

Gingerbread

Luke's program and party

I wasn't able to get very good pictures of Luke's program. It was PACKED-- aunts, uncles, grandparents and parents all seemed to be in attendance! It is quite a change from the sparsely attended events at the public schools in Maryland. It is a good problem to have. Anyway, it was crowded and I was wrestling a two year old. So this picture is the best I have.

I participated in the class party as well. This is another area where Utah schools really outshine Montgomery County. The parties are so well organized and attended by parent volunteers. It's obvious that all these ladies have been organizing church activities for years and years. All the parties have four stations each run by a parent. I did the game this time around and decided on doing BINGO with the word SANTA as well. It was a hit! I love first graders.

Noah's preschool program

We had a busy week last week with Christmas programs and parties. I love, love, love Noah's preschool. I started asking around about preschools right after we moved here and Ms. Lisa happened to have an opening in her school. She is just wonderful. They do really hands-on activities, baking or cooking something almost every week. She plays the guitar while the kids sing along. She's everything you could ever want in a preschool teacher. The programs are always cute and well rehearsed.



Noah loved singing and participated well until Santa knocked on the door, at which point he ran to sit on my lap. Ashley caught it on the movie she was making:



He agreed to go and talk to Santa as long as I went with him. When we got there he informed Santa that what he wanted for Christmas was a remote control robot that climbed up walls and windows. Still wondering about that one...

Family Night

Tonight's family night involved finishing the tree, learning about the birth of the Savior, drinking hot cocoa and Christmas stories by the fire. We've been trying to do stories by the fire every night... so cozy.

P.S. Isn't it nice how I've gained a daughter (and another son) without having to endure another pregnancy.

'Tis the Season

We kicked off the season this afternoon with a trip to the Christmas tree lot. I think that my calling in life my be as a Christmas tree farmer. I sure hope heaven smells like evergreens.

I'll say this for insomnia-- it's a good way to catch up on blogging!

San Diego Thanksgiving: Legoland

Merry Christmas from LEGOLAND

When we were in San Diego for Samuel's blessing in October my mom and I took the boys to LEGOLAND despite the rainy conditions. Nat stayed home to work on his presentation for the job interview he was about to fly out to. It was a shame because Nat is reason we are such a LEGO family. We decided that once Nat had a job we would take the boys again to celebrate. Nat got the written offer the night before Thanksgiving. I am working (mentally, at least) on a post about the whole job story. We were in San Diego when he got the offer and decided LEGOLAND was meant to be. The boys were thrilled as they think LEGOLAND is the happiest place on earth.

This time around it was an absolutely perfect day and I wasn't worried about getting the camera wet. I could have spent all day taking pictures of the many detail I find so interesting about LEGOLAND. It's my kind of theme park. The attention to detail is just amazing. I really could spend all day in miniland. It's worth the price of admission itself.

Here is a look at Washington D.C. in LEGO:




I only wish that I had gotten a picture of the White House with Michelle Obama and the first dog on the steps. I am telling you-- it's all in the details.

We spent more time in DUPLO village this time around:

Noah refused to go on any of the rides. He is in a scared of everything phase but we did convince him to take a ride on the DUPLO train.









Luke wanted to go on every ride possible and Nat was happy to oblige him. I, on the other hand, am unwilling-- I hate rides.



My mom and I spent a good deal of time with Noah and Isaac in the giant playground while Nat and Luke rode the Dragon:

The dino dig served us well while we waited for Nat and Luke to ride Coasterasaurus: