Christmas Season

This year Mike and I told our kids the truth about Santa. We felt  we had a choice-either focus on Christ this Christmas or make them continue believing in a fairy tale being. But they took it actually well. So during the month of December we did several activities to ensure our children understood the real meaning of Christmas.

We did a few acts of charity. We did 27 days of service. Most were for neighbors,friends, or family members but one of them was feeding the homeless. I borrowed this image from Google. I sat down with our kids and explained what homeless meant and how it's our responsibility to help care for all of Heavenly Father's children. So the next day we made sack lunches. The kids were so happy to do it. But when it came time to drop the lunches off at the shelter we were alittle scared so Mike went into the shelter to drop them off.

Next was Temple Square. Mike's family had a wonderful Christmas party at Daina's house. Laughs, Food, the kids ran crazy but afterwards most people had to leave except us and Daina and Aaron. So we headed to Temple Square to see the fantastic lights.

 Hailey was stuck on Daina the 95% of the time.

Another wonderful way to express Christ in Christmas was being with friends. Or I should say help making friends. My Primary co-teacher helped set up a small Christmas party for our kids. It was so nice to see everyone having fun with each other. Each child holds a special talent or skill that we all have learned from this past year.

We hope that they remember this day and continue to be friends with each other even after they moved on to bigger and better things.

But this season we tried to take the focus OFF of gifts and remember the story of Christ. The 3 wise men brought 3 gifts to the Savior. So we copied that...3 gifts. 1 big one for each one and 2 smaller ones. Besides books (which our kids love) they each were happy with their gifts.

I am so proud of Mike. He made our girls this kitchen from an old dresser. 2 ovens, 2 stove top burners, 1 sink. He is so creative. And they loved it!

 I made the aprons from on old pillowcase. That's all I really did to contribute to this gift.

 Cati was so happy for her nesting/stacking blocks and pillow pet that my mom gave her.

 Our little elves. They are so cute!

 Mason was so happy for his Bionicle Lego's. Boys and their Lego's.

Mike and I didn't get each other much this year. Actually we didn't get each other anything.  Since he's been working on our van for the last few weeks we haven't seen much of each other. So on Christmas night we had a date on our couch. He picked up some movies for us. I picked up our favorite snacks and we enjoyed each other's company.  Mike has a quote that is fantastic-Christmas is about presence NOT presents! 

I hope everyone had an amazing Christmas.