Pre Christmas Festivities

We went to several Christmas parties and Elizabeth wore this outfit to all of them. I bought this shortly after Harrison was born because I knew I wanted a girl next. I really loved it (this picture doesn't do it justice), it was on sale and it was unique enough that I didn't want to pass it up. I loved all of the little girls details like ribbon, flowers and embroidery. Nate couldn't believe I would buy something for a child that wasn't even going to be conceived for a few more years and might not even end up being a girl. But 4 years later I finally got to put it on her and it was just as darling as I had imagined it would be. 3 nights after seeing Santa for the first time, we had another opportunity to see him at the Ward Christmas Party. Elizabeth had not forgotten about her first experience. She spent the whole night saying, "No, No, NO Santa" (actually "Ansa"). So I didn't make her do it. I figured we'll only force her to sit on the strange man's lap once a year! Harrison was happy for another chance to tell Santa that he wanted a Ben Ten Watch. I was in charge of the program for the Ward Party (actually at the last minute the Activities Committee Chairperson's daughter got really sick and she asked me and another girl to run the party - so it was a pretty crazy night. Running a party that I wasn't really in charge of was interesting, but I'm pretty bossy, so it worked out just fine!) Anyway, for the program part we had someone narrate the story from Luke 2 and we stopped every couple of verses for musical numbers that went along with the story. The Primary sang Away in a Manger and Harrison actually sung this time (unlike previous performances)! The last song was a girl in our ward who had just (I mean like the week before) had a baby boy and she sang Mary's Lullaby to the baby. It was really sweet and touching. Harrison kept asking, "Mom, where's Joseph?" He was pretty concerned about it. Very cute.

Nate and I aren't huge Santa people. But I must admit that when your little boy gets excited about Santa Claus, it's contagious and I wasn't going to be one of those moms who kills the dream too early. One of the things Harrison liked to do this Christmas was put on an entirely red outfit so he could look like "Sant Ni" (AKA Saint Nick). Here's little Sant Ni on the sled his friend gave him for Christmas.

Both kids enjoyed wearing my Christmas tree necklace that I start donning on December 1 and don't stop until the big day (providing it looks decent with my outfit each day)!

My visiting teaching companion, Tiffany, who is also a good friend (which makes it easier and more fun!) had the great idea to adapt one of her family's traditions to use for our visiting teaching in December. First we had the kids act out the Nativity and then we decorated gingerbread trees.

I must say this is the sweetest little shepherd girl ever (let's pretend her crazy, undone hair is part of her shepherd look and has nothing to do with the laziness of her mother).

The oldest two boys were the kings. Don't mind the princess tiara, we worked with what we had! Elizabeth really did look after that little lamb!

Harrison had been carrying around that special gift for baby Jesus all morning (I had collected all of my "gold" jewelry and put it in a glass and gold box along with some golden coins. He thought it was very special indeed). Here they are giving the gifts.

And here's the whole bunch. I love how Joseph is picking Baby Jesus' nose! The kids had fun decorating their trees (and eating the candy along the way). And the trees were much more manageable than houses, they stacked the stars up all by themselves to make the trees. (Thanks Tiff for making all the the cookies and frosting!)

Okay, so Elizabeth did have some help from mom.But Harrison did his by himself! This was the part Elizabeth was most interested in.I have a lot more catching up to do, so there should be more holiday posts coming your way!