Thursday, December 31, 2015

December 1-30, 2015

December 1, 2015
Another outstanding Choral Music concert for TJ. I especially loved the duet she and her friend, Courtney, performed  - a mash-up that she wrote herself. So impressive!

December 2, 2015
We drew names and did our secret santa shopping for one another. It's fun to see gifts appearing under the tree :)


December 3, 2015
Proud mama - TJ was awarded three academic awards from her grade 9 year, which also came with some cash! That was a happy surprise :) Well done! 


December 4, 2015
We came out to support S in her basketball game and to visit with Tiff and Casey. She is a great player - it was fun to cheer her on. Loudly.


December 5, 2015
Skating! Made more special by having the cousins there to join in the fun!


December 6, 2015
Favorite evening of December! The First Presidency Christmas devotional was amazing this year. I can't wait to re-watch it.


December 7, 2015
Looking for a fun activity? We did our first annual "Ugly Christmas Shirt" decorating contest. Who won?


December 8, 2015
Movie night as a family - we went to see the Good Dinosaur and LOVED it!


December 9, 2015
A bit of a Pinterest Fail! We tried to make mint ornaments - they kind of work at one temperature and totally do NOT work at another.


December 10, 2015
Activity of the day - write notes of appreciation to a teacher. Where would we be without teachers?


December 11, 2015
Tried a new recipe for fudge - turned out so yummy!


December 12, 2015
The ward Christmas party was great - a good meal with good friends, and a program that was just right. These three sang "Were You There On That Christmas Night?" and did a great job.


December 13, 2015
I was so happy to have my auntie Goldie-Ann join us for the Stake Christmas Carol evening. I sang a song with some women for the ward, and there were many other wonderful numbers. It was the prefect way to put us in the Christmas spirit!


December 14, 2015
The school choir went out Caroling around the neighborhood and I joined JJ. It had us smiling and laughing and loving bringing cheer to our neighbors!


December 15, 2015
For our "unwrap a new game to play" we got "Just Dance" which has turned out to be more fun than I could have expected. It's as much fun to be a spectator as it is to be dancing. Great choice!


December 16, 2015
The school rotates between doing Christmas concerts and having a family Christmas party each year - this year was a party and it was a blast. They rented out the leisure center where families could swim, skate, have hot chocolate, and kids could even shop at a table for their parents (each item was $1) and have the gift wrapped right there so mom and dad would be surprised. I loved that idea!


December 17, 2015
Red and Green dinner! A festive feast if ever I saw one.


December 18, 2015
First ever time we went to the Holiday Train and it was exciting! The weather wasn't too cold (unless you are our children who refused to dress more warmly, even after being strongly encouraged to) and watching it pull up, covered in lights, and then have a band give a fun concert - it was such a cool experience!


December 19, 2015
Our yearly photo by the tree - I feel like I blinked and my babies are so grown up! I love these girls more than I can express. I feel so blessed to have them.


December 20, 2015
We went caroling as a family and dropped some homemade treats off. I think I overdid the baking this year - again. 


December 21, 2015
My favorite part about my birthday each year - the DQ ice cream cake! I have my piece - what will you all be eating?


December 22, 2015
The missionaries joined us for some cookie decorating and dinner! So. much. sugar.


December 23, 2015
A Christmas "Adam" tradition! Sleeping by the tree! This year the girls actually lasted all night


December 24, 2015
A quiet Christmas eve at home - Aspen got a new hair cut and bow, and we sang carols and read about the birth of our Savior. We remembered the joy of simply being with those we love and thinking of the gift of God's Son to all the world. We exchanged a couple of gifts with one another (the traditional new jammies for Christmas eve, and our secret santa gifts) and said good night! Then the gifts arrived in their places, waiting for the family to wake in the morning.


December 25, 2015
Merry Christmas! And it was. Each child received four gifts - something they want, something they need, something to wear, and something to read. It kept things simple and allowed us to really enjoy the morning together. Then it was off to Chestermere to visit family!


December 26, 2015
Passing some time playing the game that has been ripping families apart since 1903 - Monopoly!


December 27, 2015
We did a lot of relaxing while at Grandma and Grandpa's. The weather turn a cold and snowy turn so our plans with friends and relatives fell through. It was okay - we need some down time.


December 28, 2015
Braved the chilly air to head onto the frozen pond for some snowy, winter fun!


December 29, 2015
We met up with the cousins at a trampoline park which was way too fun - and met Tiff's new step-granddaughter. She was so easy to fall in love with.


December 30, 2015
Enjoying the Christmas cards received from friends and family members this month. We have felt so much love this Christmas, and thank our Heavenly Father for the many good people He has placed into our lives.


December 31, 2015
Lots of New Year's celebrating going on tonight! Lyndon and the younger girls headed over to a friend's house for activities while TJ got all dolled up (after working a long shift at McD's) to head to the youth New Year's Eve dance! Such a gorgeous young lady! I stayed home and relaxed in bed with a sick tummy and head ache. Good times. At least I'll know it's the very last time I'll be sick in 2015!


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