December and Christmas

 We got home from Mexico the day before my birthday and I got some cute gifts from the kids. Bentley likes to make me Taylor Swift cards and I just love them! This one was especially cute with it being 1989, since that is my birthday year too, just like Taylor. We got a bunch of snow a few days later and Boston enjoyed playing in it! When it's not too cold out, he has a blast outside. 

Then it was time to prepare for all the Christmas activities! We went to see Santa nice and early this year (it was still November!) so that we wouldn't have any random last minute switch-ups from the kids of what they want this year. It was a good time, except our family photo either had my eyes closed or Leo's arm in a really weird place. We also missed the giving machine being at Southcenter mall, since it was in the North this year, but we still decorated cookies and then split a delicious Dubai crepe and got some ice cream for the kids. 

On December 1st, our elves, Dash and Ginger came back. They did their thing this year, getting into some mischief and leaving some prizes for the kids, and some days it would just move somewhere different. 

Jeff and I decided to throw an adult only Ugly Sweater Party this year. We invited some couples from our ward and had such a good time! We got some sushi and BBQ food to eat, and then played some games. Everyone brought a gift and we did a little gift exchange, which was so fun. I made everyone play round table ping-pong until we were all out, and we also had a puzzle race. I gave everyone Christmas themed puzzles to do together as a couple, and see who could do it the fastest. I had a prize for the winner, as well as a prize for the best sweater, which we all voted for. It was actually such a fun night and I'm glad we did it!

Bentley had her first every band concert this year, and she even had a small group part on her flute. In grade 6 they give kids the opportunity to play a woodwind instrument for half the year and a brass instrument for the second half. She did really well on the flute and actually started to enjoy it by the time Christmas came around! Deacon and Leo had their Christmas concert as well, which was so adorable, but unfortunately I think I only took videos and no photos. Deacon had a fun drum number and Leo had some fun songs. One day I even let the kids bring over 2 friends to our house, and we had a small Christmas party. I basically just provided snacks and they went in the hot tub or played in the basement. They love having friends over!

This year I was in charge of our sibling party on the Nielson side. I decided to do dinner at a new place we hadn't tried downtown, called Salt and Brick. They had the perfect big table for us and the food was very unique and delicious. It didn't disappoint! Then we headed to Chinook mall to do a VR experience called "Horizon of Khufu," where we took a tour of the Egyptian Pyramids. It was really neat and a lot of us hadn't done something like it before. 

Boston also had a little Christmas concert at his preschool. He was so excited, but a little disappointed when I wasn't on the front row to watch him. I had a hard time finding a seat and even seeing him, but it was very cute still! He is growing up so fast, and lately he's been really into Lego. This month is always a little crazy getting everything for the kids that they need, but we always pull through in the end. Deacon had to do a "homemade" gift for Dax, so he decorated a mug which we baked and put in a hot chocolate mix thing that we made look like Rudolph. We also added a beaded gecko we had made earlier this year. 

Jeff had his staff Christmas party closer to Christmas this year, but it was at the same place we've done it for the past few years - Chairmans Steakhouse in Mahogany. The food there is amazing and this time we sat beside Scott and Kellie and had an enjoyable time. 

One day we were eating lunch with the kids at South St Burger when we saw a big Gingerbread man come in to use the bathroom. Then we saw Rudolph, followed by an elf. The kids thought it was hilarious! We realized there was a fun event going on right outside of the restaurant and this was their bathroom break. There was a big igloo so we went inside where they had cookie decorating, visiting Santa, characters, smores and treats. We ended up having lots of fun with it!

Christmas Sunday came so fast, and we really enjoyed the hour of church with lots of music. I enjoyed it even more this year because I wasn't in charge! I was called into the Primary Presidency so I was no longer the music coordinator. It was beautiful. We also have a tradition now where the kids give their gifts to each other and to us on Christmas Sunday. That way, it is more special and doesn't get lost in the craziness of Christmas day. They can either make the gift or buy it with their own money. It is always the sweetest thing to watch them give to each other and us, and I really enjoy the coupon books we frequently get!

My parents have never done the Polar Express and have always wanted to, so they asked us if we wanted to go and I said yes because Boston had never been and it's been a few years since we've gone. Boston was in heaven! He loved every bit of it and thought it was the coolest thing ever. He couldn't stop talking about it afterwards. The kids all had a good time and I always find it so magical myself. Luckily I had bought us all matching jammies, even Jeff and I. We had a great time!

We did do a party on the Ady side before Christmas at Kellie's house. We did the usual dinner and gift exchange game, and the kids gave their gifts to each other. Unfortunately Brent and Bailey were sick this year, so we had to deliver their food and gifts to them and watch them open them on a video chat. It wasn't quite the same, but we still had a good time. It's become a big joke that Jeff has to end up with the weird gift and this year it was toilet golf! The kids all loved their gifts so much. 

On Christmas Eve, we went to Tamara and Lee's house this year. We each brought over 3 appetizers and had an amazing spread. Tamara planned some fun games for us to try, we acted out the nativity, had a talent show, and then opened pajamas and took the pyramid picture. I enjoyed trying to place a little Christmas tree as far over a line as we could. Jeff was really good at holding me so that I could reach as far as I could and then get back. I also liked the tiger in place of a sheep in the nativity and Boston being baby Jesus! Dad had a pretty crazy fire trick in his magic show, and Bentley matched Scarlett's pajamas, not on purpose. It was a really fun night, one of my favorites of the whole year with my family!

Christmas day was so fun! We enjoyed a great morning with the kids at our house. The big gift this year was electric scooters - which we may not be able to use for a little while! I also really liked Boston's spiderman blanket with his face on it. Deacon loved his nerf guns, Bentley loved her clothes, and Leo loved his Pokémon cards. We headed over to Don and Cindy's for the lovely breakfast and gift exchange. We had a great time, and then I retired to our house to make a salad, and came back for dinner. 

The following day (Boxing Day) we all went to the church gym, as is tradition now, to hang out with extended Ady family and play basketball or with our new toys. We also had some minute to win it games planned and had a good time!

Deacon had a birthday party later that week, but then all the kids started to get sick with the stomach bug on our first week off.

We were really glad we were all healthy for Christmas and had such a great month! I tried to help the kids remember the real reason for the season and even gave a talk in church about it.