MERRY CHRISTMAS

From our family to yours,
we would like to wish everyone

A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!

 

Aubrey and Alex wanted to pretend they were Mary and Joseph and "Purple Baby" was Baby Jesus

Boxes make GREAT houses

With all the presents/packages we have received in the mail and a few trips to Costco, we had plenty of boxes to create a house. Here is Dave's creation. The kids insisted on using every box.
Alex and Aubrey have had a great time playing with it.

 

 

I am kind of glad that Dave doesn't build real houses or we might be in big trouble. : )

Christmas Ornaments from Nanny

This year, Alex and Aubrey have loved decorating and redecorating the Christmas Tree.  They have even enjoyed making their own ornaments and adding them to the tree.  I think we may have one of Alex's paper rocket ships on the tree right now.  
They were very happy when Nanny (Dave's Mom) send them some ornaments to put on the tree.

 

Christmas Preschool Pageant

Alex and Aubrey participated in their preschool Christmas Pageant.   They did a spectacular job. 
Alex was a Christmas Spider and Aubrey was a Sheep.  They were super cute!

 

Ironically, even though they are in separate classes, they stood near each other.

Christmas Lights

A few weekends ago, we took a drive to the LDS temple to see the lights.  It was beautiful.  While we were there, we ran into one of Marissa's friend from Arizona.  It was nice to see her there.
 

 

 

Visit to my Hometown

After attending our Family Christmas gathering, we went to my hometown to spend some more time with my sister Andrea.   Our first stop on our way was to visit "Aubrey's Lighthouse".  Unfortunately it was closed for the season, but we could walk around the outside of it.  Aubrey loves this lighthouse.  She was so excited to tell her Daddy that she went up it twice last summer.  Alex is not a fan of the place.  He has a slight fear of heights, so he didn't make it up last summer.  However, he did say that he would try to go up the stairs next summer.  Aubrey is probably ready to go up and down three times.  : )
 

 

Andrea and Aunt Andrea

Are you guys ready to hear and see this?

Aubrey sat on Santa's lap!

She is even smiling.  I couldn't believe it. 
I think she realized she had to sit on his lap to tell him what she wanted for Christmas this year or she might not get it.  Aubrey wants a doll that talks, but doesn't open its mouth.  Alex wants a Pirate Ship.
 

After visiting Santa, we took a ride on the Mall Carousal.  

 

Christmas with my Family

Last weekend, we went up to Michigan to spend time with my family.  We had a great time and it was wonderful to spend time with my family over the holidays.  We miss having family around over the holidays, so I was thankful to have this chance to see them.

Our flights were on time, so that made for an even better vacation. 
We have been known not to be as lucky. 

After we arrived in Michigan, we met up with my sister Andrea, my sister Kendra, her fiance Rob, and my niece Olivia and we went to Greenfield Village Holiday Nights.  We thought it was going to rain, but the rain held off (except a slight mist) and we enjoyed the evening.


Alex and Aubrey

Kendra, Rob, and Olivia

Andrea trying to stay warm.  : )

The next day, we opened gifts in the hotel room.  First we opened these cute owl hats that my Mom made.  The kids loved them and they are adorable.

(I am not sure what Alex had all over his shirt...hmmmm)

Aubrey opening her Tangled gift from Aunt Andrea.

Alex opening his Lego garbage truck from Aunt Andrea.

Posing with their Scensy Buddies from Aunt Kendra.

Olivia...isn't she such a cutie.  She loved playing with Alex's cars.

Christmas Ornaments

Uncle Paul made Alex and Aubrey a cute Christmas Tree ornament.  They were so excited it to put it on the tree as soon as they opened the envelope!!!
 

 

Santa Time

Last weekend we attended a church progam and Santa was kind enough to make an appearance.  Alex was so excited.  He waited patiently in line for his turn to sit on his lap and ask Santa for a pirate ship.  

Aubrey had a different idea.  She was terrified of Santa and had tears in her eyes. 
We were able to get her a bag of candy from Santa, but that was as close as she got.

 

Christmas Sugar Cookies

We attempted Christmas Sugar Cookies once again.  There was flour and sugar sprinkles everywhere, but we had fun.  At one point Alex was grabbing a cup of flour and he accidentally dropped it.  Flour went all over him and the floor.  I wish I had taken a picture of it.  For a moment it was kind of funny, but then we had to clean it up.  Aubrey did a great job with the spinkles, but all the sprinkles are all gone, Alex and Aubrey used a few too many.



They were delicious.

My Birthday

Well I turned 38 a month ago.  Oh my. 
 Dave got me my favorite pie.  PUMPKIN PIE.  I was so happy!

Growing up, my family had a tradition of holding up your hands for how old you are.   Alex and Aubrey had to help me with this one.