{Christmas Pictures}

Before Church on Sunday we took a few pictures in front of the Christmas Tree.  I set the camera on self timer, and it worked out well.  I love how cute Tanner is in some of these pictures.  He totally gets what "Say cheese" means...  haha :)

[who can resist a silly Family Picture]

{Christmas Day}

We had a WONDERFUL Christmas.  It was just the five of us, and we really enjoyed ourselves.  I got to enjoy the day, without cooking and cleaning the entire day!  We woke up, put the breakfast casserole in the oven.  Opened our presents.  Everyone was excited to see what they got.  Then, breakfast was ready and we ate.  Then we played for a little bit, got ready for Church.  It was fun to have Christmas fall on a Sunday and go to Church.  We sang songs, listened to the Bishopric speak, a few more songs and then it was time to come home.  We had lunch, took naps, and then Dinner was ready.  I put a roast in the oven and it cooked all day.  It was yummy and easy!  Then, we drove around and looked at Christmas lights.  A perfect day!  I hope you had a wonderful Christmas also!

{Cookies & letters to Santa}

Every year we bake cookies for Santa and write him a letter.  This year Landon wrote a letter and drew Santa a picture.  Jaedyn's letter said she was sad that Sparkles the Elf had to go home.   Santa is a funny guy, usually leaves part of the cookies un-eaten with a bite mark out of them. 

[Sparkles last day here, he hung around on the ceiling fan!]

{Christmas Eve}

At our house, we open our Stockings up on Christmas Eve.  Mom fills them with little things, like hand sanitizer, chocolate, nail clippers, and other practical things.  Usually there is one toy in there to hold the kiddies over for the night.  As a kid, I always wanted to open one present on Christmas Eve, sometimes my grandma would let me.  So when I became a Mom, I decided that opening Christmas Stockings on Christmas Eve was my solution. 

Here are my cuties (hubby included) opening their Stockings!

{Merry Christmas from The Elder Family}

We are excited to wake up and open presents.  We are hurrying to bed so that Santa will come, eat our cookies & leave us a present (if we were good). 

{Grand-dad's Visit and Birthday}

Adams Dad & Step Mom came for a visit.  It is always nice to see them, the kids love having them here also.  It was Paul's (Adam's Dad) Birthday while he was here.  Of course we had to celebrate with a cake and candles.  We all sang Happy Birthday and the big kids helped him blow out his candles.  I've never had red velvet cake before (I know, I've been in the south over 6 years, and never tried it!)  It was way yummy!  

Afterwards, Grand-mom played "playdoh" with Tanner.  he loved it!

{Polar Express Day @ School}

The Friday before Christmas break is "Polar Express Day".  The kids have a fun day, and get to wear their jammies to school.  The kids wore their matching snow man jammies to school.  Tanner has a dark blue pair just like them.  They will wear these Christmas morning while opening presents too!

{Coach of the Day}

Last week, both kids read enough books, and had enough points by taking comprehension tests on those books that they were both "Coach of the Day".  The school has a point system that they earn prizes for getting points on their "A/R" tests.  Some prizes are homework pass, ice cream pass, Hat, pencil sharpener, etc.  The higher in points you get, they have some really cool things.  The kids eventually get their names on the wall in the main hallway, a special program in the library, and even breakfast with the principals!!! 

Back to "Coach of the Day".  Landon was "Coach" on Tuesday and Jaedyn was "Coach" on Wednesday.  I'm not at the school on Tuesdays, so I didn't get any pictures of Landon, but luckily I was there on Wednesday and was able to snap a few pictures of Jaedyn.  First thing they get to do is pick out a whistle.  Then as each group comes into the gym, they introduce themselves on a microphone.  They tell their name, teacher and what grade they are in.  Sometimes they get to lead the opening exercises (stretches and stuff). 

By chance, Landon had PE on Wednesday so I caught a quick shot of him and his class.  They are playing dodgeball, they wait their turn then try and run across the gym without being tagged by a ball. 

Both of them loved it, and couldn't stop talking about it for days!

{A night at the Fox Theatre}

A friend of ours told us about a "free show" that the Fox was offering.  It was a sing along and a movie.  We all got dressed up and went to the show.  It was fun to see the inside of the Fox Theatre!

[Jaedyn with our tickets before the show]

[They made it snow outside while we were waiting for the doors to open]

[Everything was really pretty and decorated for Christmas inside]

[Above us, the ceiling looked like a starry night outside.  There were clouds in the sky that moved, and looked very realistic]

[Tanner was even pretty good]

["Larry" played this huge organ, he played a bunch of Christmas songs.]

[Santa Claus came out and sang a song on stage]

[And then, they made it snow again!  INSIDE!  The kids LOVED this!]

Then they showed a Muppets Christmas Carol on the big screen.  It was a fun night out with the family!

{Jaedyn's Dance "Recital"}

We were able to see the routines the kids have been working on last week during dance.  I took a little video of each one.  A ballet routine, a tap routine & a hip hop routine.  

[Ballet]

[Tap]

[Hip Hop]

{Breakfast with Santa}

On Saturday we went to the school and had pancakes with Santa.   The pancakes were yummy and the kids loved seeing Santa.  They talked to him and then sat on his lap for a picture.

{Volunteering in Jaedyn's classroom}

Last week Jaedyn had her Christmas party in her class.  They had a few fun crafts, and sugar cookies to decorate.  It is fun being in the classroom, getting to know the students and her teacher.  She really enjoys seeing me once a week in her classroom. 

{Helping in Landon's Class}

Last week I was able to go into Landon's class and help them make gingerbread houses, decorate sugar cookies & decorate picture frames for Christmas.  The kids had so much fun, and lots of sugar!  I love being able to go into the classroom and hang out with my special guy!

{Mommy and Lil' Me}

I took Tanner to a Mommy and Me class at the Y last week.  He had so much fun, his little friend was there with us too.  It might just have to be a regular thing, he had so much fun.  One of the hi-lights was the stamp at the end.  Here he is modeling it in the car when we got home. 

{Jaedyn loses another tooth}

This makes #4 for her.  If these don't start growing in soon, she might starve.  (haha, just joking)  The tooth fairy says that her smile is looking cuter with each tooth she loses.  I have to agree.  That tooth fairy is so smart!  Of course, the tooth fairy left a note, $1.00 & lots of glitter!