Christmas Cram

As a kid December was the longest month ever with the anticipation. I can't believe we crammed all this in and it went by so fast. I am always amazed at what we can accomplish in one month and wish I could keep that pace and be as giving all year.

We had a our Christmas breakfast dinner on Fast Sunday

Bruce & Ria with Christmas Tree Fench Toast

 Of course our festivities included visits with Santa he rode right in fire truck just down the street it was great and a personal little visit. Some recruiting may have been occurring for Heath to join the elves.

We also had the ward Christmas party, it was a great time and the theme was a cowboy Christmas, aren't we cute? (Thanks for the photo's Tera!)

We joined in on some traditions with friends here and did some Caroling at a Nursing home for our 2^nd year.

Singing Friends 

In December we read a Christmas story every night. We also did a little twist to the gift giving this year with Gifts of Gold (something they really want), Frankincense (something that is good for their mind, body or spirit) and Muir (something they need) after a few weeks of drilling this to Heath he asked "which wise man built the house? I was not sure what he was talking about but then I realized he was talking about the wise man and the foolish man song "the wise man built his house upon the rock". He really is a smart kid, I've been celebrating Christmas now for how long and never thought of that!

 We decided to have Christmas in Kanab and miss the night of Bethlehem this year but look forward to it next year, heard the costumes were amazing!

Rianne is very patient with Heath, but after 2 hours she was done with his repetitive and obnoxious behavior, she said "Heath will you please be quiet I have a headache, well I don't actually have a headache but your sounds are annoying me".
We made it in town to take a few family pictures for the Johnson's and spend a little time at the Johnson party. Then we went to Brant's brother Matt's home to put on the nativity read by Grandpa one of my absolute favorite traditions! My camera was still broken so although I tried awkwardly to take some pictures the family was kind enough to share thanks!
I don't know how about wise men more like wise guys!

How about the cutest stable animals ever!

The whole cast (Heath is a shepherd but is trying to herd the horse) He spent most of our time at Christmas being Ironman's dog. Kaleb was of course ironman.

Brant was holding baby Peyton and did volunteer to be Mary I think Ria was a better choice and she did a beautiful job wearing great grandmas shawl, and holding that sweet baby.

After all that who isn't ready to leave out milk and cookies and go to bed! Santa did come and shared his milk with Rudolph, turned it red. The kids were up early as you can tell the sun isn't up yet and we started on the presents I got a new camera and this is my first picture I'm not sure how Heath feels about it J

Have you ever seen a kid get so excited for Nasaline? She asked for her own I think she got more excited for it than the wii, actually I think she was more surprised by the wii Santa brought, excitement came later!

Everybody was happy with their gifts, I was too but had the camera!  



To Brant from Ria 



We went up to open presents with Grandma Mary and Grandpa Jeff! Mary is such a great gift giver. She really knew just what we needed this year, Thank you so much!

Ria got a bedazzler and things to bedazzle and Heath got the batman car he has been begging for since before his birthday! Tayla loved her little purse we gave her. Aren't these the cutest little cousins ever I love Isa's face.

  I think this is so cute Uncle D (Scooby Doo) on the way to Kanab Heath said he hoped he saw Santa again because he wanted to change what he wanted to an ipad (We purposely avoided any contact with the man in red).

He enjoyed using Derek's.

Ria got what she really wanted for Christmas riding horses is her favorite thing in the world (Thanks Wenda & Brittney)

Heath said it best "this has got to be the best day of my entire life" Christmas crammed with all the goodness was a success! Love the gentle reminders we received all month of our Heavenly Father's love for us in the gift of His Son.