Christmas 2010

This December has been packed with fun christmas parties, carolling, and school performances. So, this post is going to be a quick recap of all of the fun activities. For some reason, I can't seem to rearrange how my pictures download to my blog, so it will unfortunately all be out of order.

First off, Jacob had a piano recital at a local strip mall this year. It was so neat to see him get ready for his performance and he did fantastic. He played Joy to the World and if I can get my act together, I will try to post the video of his performance.

We also had our annual ward christmas party. The kids LOVED being with all of their buddies from church, but especially loved it when Santa arrived. Everyone sat on his lap, including Davis, who I was fully expecting to cry his head off. But he actually just sat on his lap happily.

Also, early on in the month, we did our annual christmas carolling with our friends. I absolutely LOVE doing this, albeit it was FREEZING this year. But it's always fun to see the people's expressions on their faces when they saw all of our kids at their door ringing their bells and belting out Jingle Bells.

Also, both Aubrey and Jacob had little singing performances at their schools for the holidays. And Aubrey had her first dance performance this year. She has been taking a ballet/jazz/tap class at a little studio here. And I've been so happy with them because during the holidays, they do several performances, many of which are at places like the boys and girls club and nursing homes. I think it's so neat that the owner of the studio takes the time to go to these places with the kids, and they get more practice performing too! Anyway, I wasn't sure how she was going to do on stage, but she did great! Didn't miss a beat and had a big grin after the performance!

And Dallin had the usual christmas parties for his work this year, which I actually really enjoyed this year.

Last but not least, Christmas Eve. On the 24th, we get together with our neighbors and reenact the nativity. It's nothing elaborate but always fun seeing the kids make their costumes out of old bathrobes and scarves! And it's always great hearing the story of Christ's birth through our own children. Baby Jesus (aka Davis) was not very cooperative this year, as he was battling croup. So, he cried a lot more than we all had hoped!

Afterwards, we got the kids ready for bed, opened up their PJs and slippers, fed them their favorite meal (sausage soup), and then tucked them into bed. The best surprise of christmas eve came courtesy of my awesome brother-in-law and sister-in-law. They know we usually grill up lobster tails on christmas eve. So, for our present this year, they sent us fresh, live, still kicking in the box, JUMBO lobsters from Maine! Yes, you heard that correctly. M-A-I-N-E! Um, that is lobster central, for all you non-east coasters! And they were to DIE for. They seriously were HUGE. Bigger than from my elbow to my fingers. And let's just say, we enjoyed every last bite of them, and we even made lobster bisque the next day. Ahhhh, I will never forget this christmas eve! Seriously, NEVER!! Don't think I've ever had a better christmas gift. So, thank you K&M!!!

Check out the lobsters! With 2 foodies like Dallin and I, these poor little guys didn't stand a chance!