December 2016

Sinterklaas came to visit!  Luckily we were all on the nice list.  It is always fun to celebrate our family traditions.  

Sadie had her 1st grade Christmas program.  Her class had practiced and practiced and practiced! She was singing those songs for about a month before the performance.  She did a great job and loved every minute of it.  Grandma Terry came to watch as well as Grandma Claudia and Grandpa Bruce.  We even got to stay and each lunch with Sadie.  

Sadie also had her winter dance recital.  She was so excited to wear makeup! They danced to 'Walking in a winter wonderland'.  She did a great job. 

For FHE one night we decorated a gingerbread house.  It turned out pretty cute.....

Look who showed up at our ward Christmas breakfast! SANTA!!! None of the kids wanted to sit on his lap alone so we all jumped in for a family picture!

It wouldn't be Christmas without a trip downtown to see the lights.  This year we went with Aunt Allison and her family and Grandma Claudia and Grandpa Bruce.  We had a good time looking at the lights.  Ava was a bit cranky so I took her into the JSMB to the 10th floor observation window.  We found out the next day when we took her and Finn to the Dr. that they both had double ear infections! (That explains a lot) After walking around and admiring the lights we headed to City Creek for dinner.  The food court was a MAD house!  We waited inline at Mcdonalds for probably 30 minutes.  Other than that it was a fun night.

Taggart Family Christmas party...

We had our annual Christmas party with the Taggart side of the family.  We enjoyed good food and lots of singing.  Grandma tried something new this year, we would sing a song and then a grandchild got to open their gift from G&G.  It was a fun way to keep everyone engaged.  

Christmas eve was spent at the Child's family party.  We had our usual good food and fun games.  Then it was home to bed so that Santa could come!

 Christmas morning was a bit different this year because Christmas was on a Sunday.  We were able to go to church in the morning before we opened any presents.  It thought the kids might revolt, but surprisingly they were pretty cooperative.  After church we came home to open presents.  The kids got some pretty fun stuff.  After opening gifts at our house we went to Grandma Terry's for our usual Christmas breakfast and gift exchanging.  It was a great day.  I am so thankful for the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ.  I am thankful for his willingness to to fulfill his role in our Heavenly Father's beautiful plan.  Without him, we would not be able to be forgiven of our sins and be able to return to live with our Father in Heaven.  He is our Savior and Redeemer and I am so thankful for his love.

On the 28th we went to Aunt Allison's house for sledding.  It was fun as usual!  Sadie got so brave this year and went down from the top of the hill all by herself!  In all the loading of snow stuff when leaving our house we forgot to grab Finn's coat.  Luckily Todd and Julie had an extra (Don't mind that it is pink.  Real men wear pink right?) The kids love this tradition and it is nice that we can head into the warm house when we are done.  

On New Years Eve we ended up at home with just our little family.  We had planned to go to Grandma Terry's but she ended up sick and canceled the party.  We had a fun night though, we had Cafe Rio for dinner and made a treat and played lots of games.  We counted down and yelled happy new year at 9pm then it was off to bed!  2016 has been a good year, we have done lots of fun things and have learned and grown over the year. I am thankful for my little family, I love them so much and can't imagine life any different.  Here is to a happy and healthy 2017! 

Random December....

We watched Beck one afternoon while Tiffany was at a work meeting.  How cute are these two?  Best Cousins!

 Ava is such a "helper"  She was unloading the dishwasher just as fast as I could load it....

Finn and Benny showing off their "If you give a moose a muffin" hats from preschool

Sadie has become quite the hair dresser, here is some of her work....

Last month I was called to be the Young Woman president! I am excited and overwhelmed all at the same time.  I love the yw program and look forward to getting to know these girls better.  This was at our activity downtown to see the lights at temple square....

Snow fun with friends....

Ava loves to pull all the pots and pans from the cupboards and carry them around the house.  This day I found she was making Nativity soup. yum?...

 Ava is a little cheese ball.  One night as I was singing songs with her before bed she just kept looking at me and making this funny cheesy smiley face.  Gosh I love her!

 Grandma Terry gave Finn and Sadie each their own roll of tape for Christmas.  This was a tradition from when I was younger, we always got our own scotch tape and band aids in our stockings and we could use them however we liked.  Well, the tradition continues..... what a bunch of goofs!