Santy Claus and the Polar Express

Okay, so it wasn't the real Polar Express, but almost! Last week we went up to the Murphy's Ward Christmas party where Ryan's parents are the activities committee. (Yes, THE committee. No mistake there. Small ward:) Anyway, they planned an awesome Christmas party with a Polar Express theme. There were trains set up all over and the decorations were great. The women who were helping wore engineer outfits and Ryan's dad even dressed up as the conductor and punched holes in "believe" tickets. They even had a "Hot, hot, hot! Hot chocolate!" moment when train engineers came out with hot chocolate for everyone. It was fun. And I must add that, although the girls thought the costumes were great, Kyson did not! He would get this terrified look on his face and start to cry anytime Pa came around. Even if he was across the room. Yikes! Here's the girls with Pa. Not too scary, right?

The Primary program that our kids joined in although they obviously have no costumes...still fun for them.We also had a visit from good ol' St. Nick. Lexi had no problem telling them what she wanted.

Kyson hated the conductor costume, but wasn't afraid of Santa Claus. (Probably because he knows the conductor was fake but Santa is real. Of course. Doesn't everyone? ;)

And here's Kendri at our Ward Christmas party. Not nearly as exciting as the Polar Express unless you count the near "flasher" incident we had. Enough said. Okay, fine I'll say one more thing. The best judgement is not alway used for these ward skits. Especially if you live in the foothills. Which I do. And....I would vote for a tighter screening process for ward talent shows, but then there goes the element of surprise, doesn't it? And who isn't up for a little excitement?

Next on the holiday list is Lexi's class party. It's tomorrow and I've spent all morning assembling gingerbread houses for it. Stay tuned for the final product!

Snow Day!

We had our first snow of the year this week! (make that the first snow EVER. Well, since we've lived here anyway. Unless you count the fat slushy things that fell from the sky one year. We called it "snow" that year, too, but now since I know Valley Springs is capable of real snow I can't count it.)

And because it was "blizzard" conditions, they had to cancel school. That's right. It was the only safe thing to do. We used our snow day. I'm not going to judge. Because growing up in Colorado and then living in Utah for 7 years doesn't make it fair for me to judge the California perception of snow. (By the way, I hear it's the same way in Seattle when they get snow. The city shuts down. ) But what I will say is, I think I like it! We had a great snow day! And when we built a snowman, the snow was gone. Used it all up for one snowman. But the girls loved it. After all, I had just told them that they should "stop asking me when it is going to snow because how many times do I have to tell you that we don't live in a place where it snows. Because that will just never happen in Valley Springs. Ever." They like it when I'm wrong. So, here's our front yard.
We didn't really build this snowman. Our snowman was only a foot tall. Some of our neighbors built it and we took a picture by it. See what I mean about the snowman using up all the snow?:)Lexi playing in the snow. And yes, those are rainboots.
Kendri playing in the backyard.

Well, the snow lasted for a day and a half. But that's a day and a half more than we thought! And now we can say we had snow for Christmas (almost)!

Christmas Tree

Did I mention in my last post that I think Christmas and glitter go hand-in-hand? Well, I do. As you can see from my Christmas tree. I am fully aware that I'm a little nutty when it comes to my tree....no one is allowed to help unless they are over 18 and willing to take orders from a mad-woman. (Ryan? Ryan?? Are you reading this? See? You meet the qualifications!:) And so far I haven't had any takers. And I should add, I am NOT a mean mommy. The girls have their own little tree that they are completely in charge of and they love it! The picture doesn't really do it justice (imagine everything really sparkly) but you get the idea. My day was swallowed up with the tree. But it's done and now we're ready for the holidays! HO! HO! HO!