Shenanigans

These pictures speak for themselves. At home, there's a whole lot of jumping, dancing, painting, drawing, laughing, standing, smiling, posing, and sleeping.  Xiana also got to go to a Reno Big Horns basketball game with Emma as well as a gingerbread party at her house where each girl got to make their own gingerbread house. It was so nice of Natalie and a darling idea!

Polar Express

Our ward party was a stellar rendition of the Polar Express, dinner included! The show was darling, and everyone enjoyed it!

Elfy

We decorated cookies at mom's the night of the devotional, and then again a few more times at our house.  We certainly had our share of cookies over the holidays.  Also, the kids begged for an elf on the shelf a couple years ago. Seeing the $40 price tag was enough to persuade me never to own an elf on the shelf.  Fortunately, mom had made some elves as decoration years back, and Xiana adopted one and named him Elfy. He certainly was mischievous, but he didn't do naughty things the way some of his friends do. Instead, he surprised the kids with his kindnesses and crazy hanging spots... sometimes literally.  I will admit, I dropped the Efly ball early... it's a good thing Brian got a kick out of it. The kids were thrilled.  Every morning they found him in some crazy spot, they'd run up the stairs still laughing and jump in bed with me to tell me all about it. I felt sad that Brian only got to hear the aftermath of their excitement. It was charming!

Oh there's no place like home for the holidays

We stayed home for Christmas this year for the first time in four years.  That meant we could decorate without feeling like it was a waste of time. We had Ali and Jared and my mom over for treats. Honestly, this tree was so beautiful, we could have left it! The kids loved decorating, and even though it's not my favorite, it's impossible not to feel dad while we did so. He loved decorating the tree.  Also, even though mom doesn't ever want a tree again, I'm glad she can live vicariously through me.  Staying home was simply put: heavenly! No packing, no wrapping a million presents on Christmas Eve, no sleeping on bunk beds, and best of all, NO ONE GOT SICK!

Tree!

We cut down the most beautiful Christmas tree I've ever had this year.  We went to Frenchmen's instead of Tahoe because the permits were sold out.  We managed to get lost, and we didn't emerge from the mountains until after dark which was a little scary, but it was entirely worth it! It was gorgeous out there. We never could find a weekend to go, so Brian left work early, and we pulled Xiana out of school early and headed out. I prepared the kids for snow, but it's been another VERY mild winter.  It seems the winters of my youth will never return to this region.  My dad would have been proud of us finding a full, stunning, silver tipped fir. Timber!!!!!