December 8 - New Roller Rack
Dennis Stapley, our home teacher and good friend, suprised me with a gift today. A roller rack! It's slightly different from our traditional roller rack. Instead of the marbles going around the corner, they drop through a hole to the next lane. It's nice to still have the double lanes for racing.
What is so special about this roller rack is that our friend is completely blind. He's so talented and so amazing!
December 11 - Emilee's Christmas Program
I'd say Emilee is the cutest reindeer of all! Smarty Pants Preschool knows how to put on a great program. The kids were adorable... but one was especially adorable!
December 12 - Another day at Grandma's
It started to snow and the kiddos got up on the window seat and watched the snowflakes come down. So exciting!
Ben made a pinecone bird treat today in school. He found a good branch to hang it on. We also spied an empty bird nest, still in-tact. That was really neat.
The kids also had fun with the ice skating rink. It reminds me of mom's and the kids playing with her's.
December 13 - Treats
You can't go through the month of December without making treats. We made sugar cookies and Rolo/pretzel treats. The kids made an assembly line and got the job done!
December 15 - Decorating the House
Kelsey's family came up this evening and helped me decorate the house. Chad hung all the fresh garland. I love it! Looks like Christmas will come to my house.
December 16 - Ben's Christmas Program
We had the perfect seats at Ben's Christmas program. Ben was so cute. He is getting more comfortable at singing the songs and doing (some) actions. Well done, Beno!
December 17 - Bates Family Christmas Dinner
The year isn't over yet! It was my year for the Bates family reunion and dinner. I chose to go to the Red Lobster in Salt Lake City since it was a more centralized location. The Red Lobster was mom's favorite place to eat. It's up at the top of my list, too.
Those who came: Carol Daniels (myself), Amie and Clint Sorensen, Kelley and Kerry Jensen, Leslie and Rye Nielson, Bill and Alisa Bates, Steven and Ann Bates and Steven Jr., Jenny and Tim Needles, and Matthew White.
December 24 - An Old American West Christmas Eve
Home-made cherry and apple fruit pies
Thought we would do a theme this Christmas. We went with "Old American West". The kiddos had stick horses to ride, sherrif badges, hats, kerchiefs to wear, and handcuffs for the bad guys. The hand cuffs were a big hit!
Dinner was really good. We had pulled pork sandwiches, potato salad, veggies and dip, baked beans, bread with flavored butter, and Christmas jello. Dessert was home-made fruit pies. They were delicious and I enjoyed making them, too. I also made ginger snap cookies. So yummy! I found out they are Chad's favorite.
The table was set with camp ware which added to the feel of the old West.
The wood stove was stoked with wood and the fire was warm and cozy as Chad read us some Cowboy Christmas poetry.
The Mecham kids got into their new pajamas before going home and let me take pictures. Then Kelsey's family opened up their gifts. The Antelope Island Shutterfly book I made for them was a definite hit. Looks like I might be making books every year.
All in all it was a good Christmas Eve. Different than what we normally do. Even though I liked it well enough, I think I like sticking to our traditional Christmas Eve nights. We don't need a theme. I'm getting worn out with productions. I'm getting so I want simple and relaxation more than anything. Just being together, visiting, and reading the Christmas story is good.
I did enjoy doing the "Elf" when our kids were at home, but it doesn't seem to work out with the differences of ages between Kelsey's and Audrey's families. I also liked when we went to a movie or a Jazz Game as a family either on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. Those are fun memories. I've learned that not all traditions can be carried on from year to year. And that's ok.
December 25 - Christmas Day
After church we went to Audrey's house. Audrey spent the week before Christmas helping the kids make gifts for each other. That was their favorite thing about Christmas this year. I think they liked their Shutterfuly books from grandma, too! They were all smiles when they opened them up.
James was caught relaxing and Audrey showed off her Christmas wraps. Pretty!
I made Dave and I a book of our trip to Washington D.C. It's the start to many more trip books. I've got my work cut out for me!
Ben got his Christmas wish... snow! It was so beautiful to wake up to so much snow Christmas morning. By evening Dave had piles of snow to plow. The sunset was as beautiful as ever. What a perfect, peaceful Christmas day! And to have it be on Sunday this year made it extra special.
Ice Skating
Ice Castle
We made a trip to Midway to ice skate, which has become a favorite family activity. This year we added in the ice castle. It was amazing and covered a lot of area. I enjoyed seeing the formations and watching the kids slide down ice slides. We finished the evening eating at Dairy Keen in Heber. Home of the train. Fun day!
Dave and I, Kelsey's family and Makaela's friend, Audrey's family, Amie's family and Tera and Tianna made the trip.
December 31 - New Year's Eve
I really enjoyed New Year's Eve this year. It was just Dave and I. Relaxing! I made clam chowder. My favorite! We had funeral potatoes, ham, cooked carrots, salad, rolls, and shrimp to go with it. Went to bed at our bed time.
Icicles
Icicles on Audrey's house. Icicles are so pretty.
James turned 2 this year. Mike turned 33.
Month In Review
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