Christmas Eve

Being away from home, we didn't have the access to everything we needed to do our family traditions, so we just did as close to as we could. We read the Christnas story from the Bible, sang Christmas carols, and made our own Christmas "don't eat Pete" game board. Big hit, kids loved the game and the sugar high. All the proceeds from my turns went to the little stray cat named Greta who lingered at my ankles waiting for me to give her more treats. 

But all games aside, it really was a special Christmas Eve. It was really hard for me this year being away from family. I felt so homesick and longing to be with them all snuggled up at my sisters house. But it was a really amazing experience to spend it with just my little family. To have Braden all to ourselves, and Uninterrupted family time. To be away from daily life distractions, was really good for us. Kids loved it, we loved it, and although feeling the spirit is scarce in our crazy energy filled home, we felt it Christmas Eve. And it was a fantastic evening to spend with my favorite people. We are so grateful for the birth of or Savior and all the joy and peace he brought to the world. Merry Christmas!

Advent day 24- Christmas Eve pjs

We received a mysterious package from my Canadian family, and were instructed to open it up Christmas Eve. When greta opened hers (it's tradition that the youngest goes first, up to the oldest) I thought "adorable. One piece pjs, with a butt flap that has a cow on it. She's going to be so cute running around in this" (The famous cow symbol for the Canadian brand of cows ice cream). It also says "dairyaire" on it. Then Graham opened his, matching. "Getting better," I thought, secretly hoping Eve had matching ones. And bam! Eve got hers!  Thinking this couldn't be topped, I opened mine...same, unreal. And so awesome. And then, perfectly, Braden got one too! Matching onesies for the whole family! Then, I facetimed with the rest of the Watson clan, only to discover thatcthey had them too. It was like a crowd of red ninjas running around.

Advent day 23

Day 23- wearing our Christnas pjs down to the arcade at the resort. I know, now very Christmassy, but it's what we did. Kids had a blast! Also, we discovered I am a master at crane games. Won greta a ball and kids candy. Boom. 

Advent day 22

Christmas advent day 22- Charlie Brown Christmas and special Christmas Jammies from auntie April! Cutest pjs ever, Eve was thrilled that hers matched Greta's, as well as the fact that they had a tutu. April amazes me at how she can find the best things that get my kids to match, it's truly a gift. Grahams even matched in colors! They were meant to be opened Christmas Eve, but thanks to lack of getting laundry done on vacation and a tipped over blue slurpee, April let us open them a bit early and saved the day! Charlie Brown Christmas was cute as always, and I got to explain to Braden how there is a Charlie Brown character for every single member of my family, and a personality to match. Good times. 

Advent day 21

Best advent day all month. Beach day. Cocoa breach, FL. Perfect. And the floridians are pretty scarce at the beach in December, so we almost had it to ourselves. Water was cold, but the sun and sand were perfection. This is our favorite version of a white Christmas a white sandy Christmas. 

Advent 19-20

Ok ok, so day 19 was pretty lame, the kids just watched a heist as movie with a candy cane as I packed up our things in preparation for our long drive the next day. 

Day 20- 8 hour drive to Orlando, FL. Braden was such a hero, he drove the whole way, and disnt complain once. Kids are always so great on road trips, considering the circumstances. April was even thoughtful and kind enough to pack us a special box full of treats, snacks, and little gifts for the kids to open along the way. Seriously, easiest road trip we've taken I think. It was great. And hey, the view wasn't too bad either 😉

Advent day 18

We had a special advent activity for day 18. The kids got to open a special gift from Grandma Shirley. She was kind enough to make them all a special blanket for Christmas, and they absolutely adored them. Greta was especially thrilled to be included with the big kids.  

Advent day 17

Braden's office Christnas party. It was such a great night! I didn't know a soul there, so it was meeting a lot of new faces, but finally getting to put a face to a name I've heard all about. But excellent food, and an amazing view of Charlotte. It was on the 50th floor of a downtown hotspot, so it was a very beautiful view. We had an excuse to get dressed up and enjoy a date night during the week. The kids got to stay home and have a pizza party with the babysitter. They had just as much fun as we did. I love stealing nights away with this guy, he's my favorite. 

Advent day 14-16

Christmas advent day 14- FHE on the First gift of Christmas. We watched the movie from LDS.org and talked about the gift the savior gave us by being born. 

Day 15- coloring pages and Mickey's Once upon a Christmas

Day 16- writing a Christmas wish and hanging it on the tree. This just made me laugh. When I asked them "what is your Christmas wish?" Graham immediately answered "truck." Typical. 

So I pressed on, "ok Graham, if you could have anything in the world, what would you want for Christmas?" 

He replies with excitement "truck!" 

So I tried one last time, "Graham, what's the one thing you want out of this holiday?" 

And again, with much vigor, "truck!" He exclaims. Ok then, truck it is. Can't say I didn't try. 

Now Eve however, she thought about it for a long time. And after her sweet suggestion that she wanted a family picture that she could look at anytime she wants, I knew she had something good. With much anticipation she answers my question with a very matter-of-factly confidence. She says "a star. One that is fragile so the babies can't touch it." Ok then, truck for one and something that is not to be shared for the other. Merry Christmas, really catching the spirit over here haha. 

Advent day-13

Graham cracker houses, our version of gingerbread houses. Kids loved making them for a few minutes, then they just decided eating the candy was way easier, so they moved on to that. Braden and I however, get somewhat competitive with our creations. All in good fun, but we love to try to out do the other. 

Advent day 12

Dad's family company party. Wells Fargo knows how to throw a family party. There was lots of food, Santa, face painting, and a balloon station. Kid heaven. We arrived right as it started so we were able to see Santa quickly after he arrived. Eve was so excited, she was excited to tell him about the Elsa Barbie and family picture she wanted, Graham was excited about the fake gifts that were there, he couldn't wait to unwrap them. He actually unwrapped one when Santa lifted one up to distract him enough to take a picture. Eve was as sweet and polite as always. Greta, not a fan. At all. Spooked by Santa, she was not a happy camper in the slightest. Luckily, Santa didn't take it personally. 

The face painting, the highlight for me. Kids got pretty snowflakes, and candy canes, but when it came to Eve's turn, she said "I want to be a tiger!" And a tiger she became! Those women are artists, they gave her an amazing tiger face. And Graham became Rudolph. I could hardly believe he would sit there for her to paint his face. In line, he kept trying to make a run for the basket of candy canes, but I repeatedly told him "you only get one if you get your face painted". He must have really wanted a candy cane. Greta was still a little ticked about Santa, so we didn't even bother with her. 

She was thrilled. Just when I thought her smile couldn't get any bigger, she saw en Elsa balloon on a headband....holy cow, she was ecstatic! Graham got a candy cane balloon and didn't hesitate to whack any person who seemed to be within whacking distance. It was slightly embarassing, anyone within a few feet of the stroller felt the amusement of Graham whacking them. Boys will be boys. 

It was a great afternoon, kids had a blast, and it helped squeeze in a little more Christmas spirit. Awesome day, and the kids had a mad sugar crash when we got home and went to bed early, so bonus for mom. No complaints here, holly jolly Christmas party.

Eves preschool Christmas Program

Cutest thing ever, Reindeer pokey. Eve shine up there, she loves beig the center of attention, knows al the words and definitely knows her moves. I am just the typical beaming proud parent in the crowds, but I couldn't be more proud. Braden even got to come, she was so excited to see him! They did a few songs, and they even got to use sleigh bells during the Jingle Bells song, you could tell that was the kids favorite part, they were very enthusiastic with the bells haha. I really appreciate her being at a Baptist preschool, they are very faith centered, and emphasized the Christ in Christmas. I grow more and more appreciative of that as the world is focusing more and more on the fluff of Christmas. 

Advent day 11

Christmas advent day 11- Christmas movie and candy canes. Mickeys Once upon a Christmas was a huge hit with the kids, and the sugar rush was nothing to be scoffed at. Graham had the stickiest fingers I've ever seen, and Greta just walked back and forth between Graham and Eve mooching their popcorn. Great evening! 

Christmas advent 5-10

Advent day 5- christmas coloring pages.

Advent day 6- driving through mcCaddenville to see the town FULL of Christmas lights! The kids loved it, perfect way to celebrate the season. We saw lots of lighted nativity scenes and plenty of santas with their reindeer. Eve saw a man dressed as Santa, and she says "mom, look at that costume of Santa clause!". So now we are slightly concerned she's not buying the whole Santa thing.

Advent day 7- watching Frosty the Snowman and having hot chocolate. 

Advent day 8- writing letters to Santa. Eve wrote this all by herself. She needed a little help with spelling a few words, but she worded it all by herself. And it was so sweet to see that she wanted a family picture, she said she "wanted one for herself to keep wherever she wanted"

Advent day 9- christmas colors science project. A little vinegar, baking soda, and food coloring, and voila. Mom is a genius scientist. Or as Eve puts it "you're like miss frizzle mom." I take that in the highest regards, because Eve loves the magic school bus. They loved it! 

Advent day 10- making Christmas cookies for Eve's preschool program. This gal loves to bake! And we'll, eating the dough isn't so bad either. 

Christmas advent 2014

Day 1-elf on a shelf 

Day 2- paper snowflakes 

Day 3- christmas coloring pages

Day 4- Popsicle manger. Good deeds get written on pieces of paper, the more good deeds the softer the bed for baby Jesus. 

Boys will be boys

Because the towel must have been too far to wipe it off, tongue was closer. Boys will be boys.

70s in December

72 degrees on dec 1. The weather isn't always this warm, but it's certainly more enjoyable than the Canadian, Utah, Connecticut winters we are used to.....and we love it!