Christmas Eve Jammies!

Every year we allow the kids to open one gift on Christmas Eve! and every year it is magically a new pair of pajamas... Yeah!

Building of an Igloo...

How do you build an Igloo?... you roll snow into giant snowballs and then stack them up so high you can crawl underneath it and then fill in the cracks.

Bridger wants to wish you a Merry Christmas!

Dad and Bridger were messing around with the video camera and wanted to wish you all a merry Christmas! We sure love you little Bridger! (mute the music on the player at the bottom of the page to hear the video better)

Santa's Helpers make a Gingerbread Train

Brooklyn, Keaton, Bridger, Mason and Dad... (but mostly Brooklyn because she has more patience than the boys)... made a Gingerbread Train. It was from a kit that our friend gave to us for Christmas.

The Christmas Spirit! (I think Keaton found it)

Hey this is Brandon, Jill usually does the blogging or at least directs what is and isn't posted. I just sometimes interject with my random thoughts from time to time.
This is another one of those thoughts.
It's about the Christmas Spirit, and what exactly it is? I think I understand it a little better now, please bare with me while I share a little.
Last year watching my girl Brooklyn, she was fired up about Christmas, she was the first to push me to get the lights up on the house. She was the first to be so excited about delivering treats and such to neighbors.
Most everyone catches the spirit, some just quicker than others, this year as I observe, I see it in Keaton first. He was the first one to get after me to get the lights up on the house. (Me being my lazy self) I told him I needed help to do it this year. He then replied "I can help you Dad... I'm a great helper" Although he was more of a supervisor than a helper. It's that excitement for Christmas they feel.
I think the thing that hit me is when I took him out to go Christmas shopping for his mom, He (being 5 and big now!) knew exactly what he wanted... cost didn't matter, it took some convincing from Dad that Mom didn't want the $3,000 item(at least that it wasn't in the budget)... in the end, he has happy with what he picked out. On the way home, he kept telling me how she was going to love it and how he couldn't wait to wrap it. So he(or we because Dad needed to help a little) wrapped it all nice for Mom when we got home.
...I see the spirit of Christmas in him, "It's that feeling of joy you get when you are getting ready to give a gift to someone you love. The gift is something you know they are going to like, and you anticipate how they will feel. You get excited for them and feel that spirit... The gift can be big, small, or even a simple treat or even something of service. It's just that feeling you feel knowing you are helping them or making them feel good."
Keaton has found it and he has helped me start to find it as well... Thanks Keaton!
...I continually learn from my children, how blessed I am.

First Snow this year!

It snowed for the the first time (with a couple of inches) this year and the kids love it. Christmas always seems better went there is snow. I just hope it doesn't melt away between now and Christmas. Brandon and the boys(Keaton and Bridger) Played for hours in it.

Ward Party

We went to our church's christmas party and had a delicious dinner. We sang songs and all the primary kids acted out the 1st Christmas with Mary and Joseph and Baby Jesus. Towards the end of the night the kids got to sit on Santa's lap. It was a great evening.

Mason's Basketball Tournament

Mason had his Basketball Tournament, it was a single elimination tournament. Mason's team only has 6 players. During the first game of the tournament they played a team that had twice as many players. At first Mason's team got way ahead but then ran out of steam. The other team caught back up and tied it so it went into overtime. At the end of the over time it was tied again so they went into double over time, this time without a time clock (tournamnet games needed to keep on schedule) Anyway with the next basket wins. The play went up and down the basketball court with no baskets Finaly Mason got a sweet pass from his team mate Trevor and he made the winning basket that advanced them to the next bracket.

They lost the next game but it was sure fun to watch the first one.

Brooklyn's Dance Recital

Saturday Dec.13th Brooklyn had her Dance Recital. She was so beautiful in her outfit and did a great job. From dancing to soccer she is a talented little girl. Her dance was to the song "One step at a time" by Jordan Sparks. She had a lot of fun and wants to do it again.

You sick Twisted Freak! (as per Glenn Beck)

Last Night we went to see Glenn Beck, on his tour for "the Christmas Sweater"
(For those who don't know) Brandon and I enjoy and are faithful listeners of Glenn Beck on his radio show and his TV Show. At any rate, Brandon got us free tickets and it was a great evening. I highly recommend anyone, (if they have a chance) to go see it or read the book. It is about his personal story from his life.
Here's a fuzzy picture (what can you expect from a security guard taking a picture) but Brandon did get to shake his hand and autograph.
Here's a link: Glenn Beck's Web site click here

Santa's Lap (Craft Fair)

Brooklyn played hookie from school and went with me and the boys (along with Grandma and Aunt Becky) to the Christmas craft fair. It's always fun to see the things people make and do for the holidays.
The kids got to visit Santa and Mrs. Clause. Keaton and Bridger were so excited they couldn't stop saying hi and bye to him when we walked by him.

Lighting of the State Christmas Tree

The Christmas Season has begun. The lights are up and music is ringing around town. Last night we went downtown and saw the State lighting of the State Christmas Tree.
The kids each had cookies and hot cocoa, the choir sang christmas carols, and the governer's wife read "twas the night before christmas in Idaho" a children's book. It was a great evening.