Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve consisted of:

playing dress up

baking cookies in dress up clothes

minute-to-win-it games at Grandma's (this did not go so well.  the kiddos did not like losing and had a hard time with some of the activities.  next year I want to do an adult game night.)

all the cousins acting out the Nativity

attempt at watching "Joy to the World"

cousin gift exchange (check out the pics.  Charlotte was super happy with her toy doll until she spotted Sage's gift.  Then the waterworks began.)

Standing Baby!

I sometimes forget to move the changing pad from the dresser next to her.  On days I forget, she doesn't nap much.  Little devil.

Payson

We took the girls up to Payson to play in the snow after church Sunday.  They all did so well on the 2 hour drive up and back.  Sage was in HEAVEN.  She dove right in and was not afraid to get a little wet or cold.  Charlotte, on the other hand?  She was a bit of a disaster.  She whined about 80% of the time, unless she was being carried.  She didn't like the way her feet sank into the snow when she walked and was scared of pretty much everything.  She warmed up toward the end of our trip, of course.  Figures!  They had fun making snow angels, snowmen, and looking for reindeer.  Little Em was an angel like always and snacked on ice the whole time.  It was a nice, fun afternoon with my sweet little family.

Santa Clause

 We attempted a trip to sit on Santa's lap.  It went a little something like this:

 So grandpa decided to show the ladies that Santa is not a scary man at all.

 Yes, these all look alike.  But I love the progression.  Every single one makes me laugh.

 Santa vacated his throne for a minute and the gals didn't think it was scary once he was gone.

 After having been there for about a half hour, the girls started to warm up a little.  Poor Santa was working so hard, too.  He had candy canes and polar express bells he was using as bribery.  It only worked marginally.

 We convinced them to shake their bells while we all sang "Jingle Bells".  I love that they are trying not to smile.

 Sage finally told Santa that she wanted a doll house for Christmas this year.  She whispered it about four times before she found the courage to shout it out for him to hear.  This girl melts me.

Cousins

 My siblings and their families that don't already live in AZ are in town!  It's always chaotic and crazy but so fun.  The cousins LOVE each other and LOVE to play non stop and sometimes LOVE to scream.  I LOVE it all.  Especially meeting my sweet, happy, easy-going little baby nephew, 

GRAYSON.  

I LOVE him.

 And these two ladies love each other.  I think they could pass as siblings.

 
Good times with 12 grand kids in grandma's kitchen!

And after this busy day of fun, we had to whip out grandma and grandpa's Christmas pj's a few days early since they all needed baths.  The boys had no desire to pose with them on, but the ladies were all too willing.  So cute!

12 months

Yes, I'm almost two months late taking these things.  I put it off because it's a little nightmarish getting her to sit still anymore.  

And a final recap.  Yes, I have bows in every size, shape and color known to man.  I sure love this little brown eyed beauty. 

 Charlotte's Joy School group acted out the nativity the other night.  Unfortunately, the little stinker has not been doing great at going to school.  I leave her there kicking and screaming.  So she wanted no part in the activities at the party and refused to wear her little costume.  Oh well.  She shook her little jingle bells, and looked cute doing it.  :)

Clint and I in our seriously ugly Christmas sweaters for a party at Crossfit.  I look nasty in the worst way.

 I swear Sage is getting so big way too fast!  I think her picture she colored at church Sunday is a masterpiece.

 Our hand print ornaments turned out too big, too thick and heavy to hang on the tree, and too grinchy-green for my taste.  We might be re-doing them.