Christmas is my favorite time of the year and I am always sad to see it end.  We had a wonderful December, this year, full of Christmas cheer, holiday fun, and birthdays.

The kids are always so excited to put the Christmas tree up and to get all of the decorations out.  This year the kids wanted to decorate the tree, but I was busy finishing my book for book club, so I told them that if they could bring it in and put it together they could decorate it.  I was so surprised that Hannah and a friend of hers were tough enough to bring it in and set it up.  Then Logan and Tabetha put the lights on and all the kids put the ornaments on.  It looked as good as if I had done it and I didn’t have to do anything but watch.   It was awesome, especially since I loath putting the lights on the tree.

I took the kids to the annual Gingerbread House Competition this year.  We used to go every year, but some how got out of the habit of going.  The little girls loved it and had so much fun voting for their favorite house in each category.  Of course a gingerbread house competition in Alaska wouldn’t be complete without an igloo.  

KateLynn celebrated her 8th birthday in December, and was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  (more on her birthday coming)

Tabetha had a birthday as well.  She turned 18!  Holy Cow!  (more on her big day will be coming as well)

Every year our church ward has a big Christmas party complete with a live nativity.  My girls look forward to the nativity for weeks.  They each get dressed up and then they sing a couple of Christmas songs to all the parents.  It’s adorable.  This year I had two angels and a wisewoman in the nativity.  

This year we went and saw a production of The Nutcracker Ballet.  I have always wanted to go and was able to get some cheaper matinee tickets.  They girls were the perfect age to go and sit through it and understand it.  We had a great time and would like to make it a tradition to go every year.  

Finally,  Christmas wouldn’t be complete without a trip to the real, actual, Santa Claus house in real North Pole Alaska.  It was Camdon’s first time sitting on Santa’s lap and I was pretty surprised he didn’t cry.  He wasn’t too thrilled, but he didn’t cry.  I was sad I didn’t get a picture of them all together with Santa, but they enjoyed telling him what they wanted for Christmas.

Good-bye Christmas and December.  We are sad to see you go, but we are looking forward to January and the start of a wonderful new year.