21 days left - a little bit of Christmas past

One of my favorite memories of Christmas when I was a kid was turning on the Christmas lights, and picking my favorite Christmas record and listening to those songs with twinkling lights surrounding me.  And the only thing that would make it better was when my mom would sit by me and I would cuddle close.  Just thinking about it now makes me smile.  I saw this record player in the store and thought, "oh yeah, this is happening".  I had a couple of records that I tracked down and purchased a few years ago.  The record player has been a total novelty, Cambelle in particular loves it.  I did remember most of the words from the songs, you should have seen how impressed my kids were. (ya, like that happened).   I like being able to bring a little of my Christmas to my kids.

22 days left- Memory Tree

The memory tree is usually decorated on the 4th but Sara had dance so we made a change and decorated today so Sara could be with us.

We got two new ornaments this year.  One was from the Forgotten Carols the other night and the second is my personal favorite, it's a cute picture of cute baby Jersey.

My favorite picture of the night.  I really appreciate that we can spend nights like this together and have relatively no arguments.  It's something about my kids that I love.

23 days left - Family picture

Today had to be a simple one.  Sara started a new school and gets out 30 minutes after the other kids plus she has violin lessons on Tuesday.  Sara and J.T. also have mutual.  That doesn't leave a whole lot of time for family activities.  So, I wrapped a memory from last year and I have to say I think it is a great addition to our decor.  Merry Christmas!

24 days left - Missionary Packages

For Family Home Evening we wrote letters to the missionaries and sent a little chocolate their way.  For some reason this is the first time we have done this for FHE and Troy has never jumped in on this endeavor.  I don't think his writing hand will recover for awhile.

Very serious stuff here.

I love this picture, it makes my heart happy.

25 days left - Polar Express

I asked the kids why they loved watching the Polar Express and why it had to be a part of the countdown.  Cambelle said that the movie was magical and J.T. and Sara both said that when we watched it felt like the beginning of the holiday.  I have to agree with them.  I totally look forward watching it but I also love the popcorn and m&m's.  

It's Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas!!

So once again we are at the beginning of my favorite season.  I have hopes of recording this year a little better than last year.

We started again with a Christmas breakfast.  I think the kids were a little surprised since it was only the 29th of November but there were things I wanted to do and I knew that there were going to be days in the month of December that were taken with extra activities, so I wanted to take advantage of the weekend after Thanksgiving.

As the kids get older our conversations are more interactive and quite funny.  We laughed and talked about the things that we had done last year during the year and the best part of the countdown.  When we were done eating we got down to business and opened the envelope that was on the table.  In it was tickets to the Forgotten Carols.  I have wanted to see it for a long time and incorporate it into the Christmas countdown but it is always here in November and we have always started in December. So this year I decided to live on the edge, (how sad that the edge for me is simply a couple of days in November :) and start the countdown early.

Jersey totally wanted in on the action.

We got ready and left a little early so we could get our Christmas shopping done.

We divided and conquered with our cell phones in hand to let everyone know when we were done. And then we met at the car, shopping - check!  LOVE IT.

We headed to the auditorium and found our seats, and as the lights dimmed I became very excited.  I love Michael McLean and I was not disappointed.  The music was beautiful, the story inspiring and the feeling a little like being home and safe.  At the end of the performance Michael McLean came back on stage and talked for a little bit and then sat at the piano.  He sang "We Can Be Together Forever Someday" and the audience joined in.  He reminded us that as we sang it we could think of anyone close to us that wasn't able to be there with us.  Of course I thought of my mom and dad.  I think the kids were all thinking a little of Grandpa Nelson as well.  So the tears flowed and love filled our hearts.  Then he asked us to sing Silent Night.  Cute Cambelle was sitting next to me and began to sing, then it became silent and I could here her sniffle.  I leaned down to ask her if everything was okay and she said, "I just feel the spirit so much."  There couldn't be a better way to start this season  than being reminded of the gift that is encompassed in the life of Christ and feeling it so sure and complete in our hearts.

The kids all agreed that tonight was a "do again."