DECEMBER IN A NUTSHELL

BEWARE IT'S LONG! Do not pay attention to my grammar mistakes. It took me too long to do this. And Im done!

On the 13th of Dec. we had a Primary Program. It was a first for both Gavin and I. First time I have help put a Primary Program together (Even though I was just mainly in charge of the Primary Activity Day, the day before) and Gavin's first time being in one. He has a great ability to memorize. Granted his part was only 2 sentences. It was memorized a few days after receiving it. It was a nice day. I know I am biased but he was the best looking little guy there. He wore his suit for the first time. HE calls it his missionary clothes. LOL


(too bad its a little blurry, hopefully the last of that. We got a new camera. WOO Hoo)


(Gavin making funny faces)

After church we had all of our families over for lunch to celebrate Gavin and Spencer's b-day. So, sad. I didnt take picts of the cupcakes I had slaved over :(
They were homemade hostess cupcakes. And I only took one blurry picture of Spencer opening presents. Too much going on I guess.


(Gavin with the Superman cape Aunt Cassandra made)


(Gavin opening his baseball tee from Nana and Papa)

In 2009 if you went to Disneyland on your b-day you got in free. We took full advantage and upgraded our day passes of annual ones. WE have been 3 times since Dec. Im so happy to have our passes again!


(Gavin and I, Lov'n tea cups!)


(Spencer and Gavin on Big Thunder Mtn.)


(Us, in the Case Jr. Train (monkey cage actually)

On Gavin's actual birthday we took him to Chuckie Cheese. HE and Grant are at great ages for this place and absolutely love this place. My mom and some of my siblings met up with us there.


(my mom and I on this roller coaster ride/game)


(Gavin obsessed this game, I think he was sitting there for at least 20min, Then good ol' Uncle Cam came and sat Gavin on his lap and played this game and won Gavin a ton more tickets!)


(Grant checkin the game out)

This year I got two fun things this year for us to enjoy as a family during the Christmas season. First was the elf on the shelf. This is book and it comes with a little elf doll. The book talks about being good and each night the elf flies to Santa and tells him if you have been good or bad. And returns to a new spot each night. So you have to look and see where he is in the morning. A friend of mine had this and when I saw it at Barnes and Noble this year. I had to get it. Thanks for Uncle Nate I had a gist card there.



The second item we got was a plastic nativity. It was nice to use these for Family Home Evening and give the kids a chance to play with them.





We started a new tradition this year and we made a Christmas gingerbread train for FHE. It was a lot of fun. And Gavin ate way too much candy. LOL. the picts are out of order, oh well.


(finished product)








(Gavin was a great builder!)

This was an exceptionally great Christmas because my sister and her family were down. Gavin and Kiera love each other to pieces. Really, they dont know when to Stop hugging. Which means they end up falling to the ground. LOL.
A family tradition my dad came up with years ago. Is to see a movie on Christmas Eve afternoon. This year was saw The Blind Side. And it was the perfect feel good movie for Christmastime.
We have always had our BIG Christmas Dinner on Christmas Eve. Which I highly recommend. Then there is no major cooking on Christmas, just yummy leftovers! This year we had a special treat and Santa made a special appearance at Nana and Papa's house. This nice guy in my parents ward, Brother Spence loves acting like Santa and he offered to come by my parents house. Since he knew all the grand-kids would be there. And they all loved it and chatted his ear off.




(Chatting Santa's ear off)


(Santa giving them a candy cane for being good this year. LOL)

We had a busy Christmas Day. Started off with present and breakfast here. Then off to Grandmas Jones's house for more presents and brunch. Then I was lucky enough to see almost ALL of my extended my family this year for Christmas. I dont get to see them very often. So, when we get a chance to get together, its a blast! Once again I was too busy enjoying YUMMY food. I didn't get any picts from Aunt Susie's house. So, Jess and Jen if you have any picts pass them along. After Aunt Susie's over to Grandpa Smith's. Its was a short visit but I was glad to see him. Then we headed to Diamond Bar to open presents from Nana and Papa. Then we headed home. It was a busy day traveling. But I wouldn't have traded it for anything. Thanks Honey for a GREAT DAY!!
The day after Christmas was spent shopping. For as long as I can remember the day after Christmas is spent shopping. I met up with my sister in Chino Hills to shop. Its great to go shopping with her. She is honest when you try on things. And she makes e buy things that I wouldn't normally wear. I tend to buy safe stuff. AKA. things in Black, Grey, White. etc. So when I tried on a purple blouse with a belt that goes around the middle (yikes!). She convinced me to get it. And I have warmed up to it and love it. That evening Spencer's dad and wife came over to exchange gifts and have a bite to eat. Sorry I must say this was the most creative gift I have given in a while. I have to share. He has given me the nick name of dessert queen. I am very flattered by it. So, since he is someone who enjoys my talent of cooking. I decided to enroll him in Amber's Dessert of the Month Club. Each month he and his wife get a new dessert. Last night I made January's dessert which was Molten Chocolate Oooozy Cake. Im relieved it turned out yummy. I always get nervous trying new dessert on people.









I have to share and say I got the most perfect gift from Spencer. He watched the kids ALL day. While my sister and I went to Glen Ivy Hot Springs for a day of pampering. We barely ever get any sister time. With her living in AZ and us both having kids. Its almost impossible. It was so fun to relax and have girlie time. We both agreed we had the BEST massages EVER! And we have both had a few before. But this was unbelievable. Then we went a played in the mud. And lounged around in the spa's and had they most delicious lunch. Thanks Hubby's! They was defiantly unforgettable.


(Its hard to see but Jessica is in the back there on the other massage table)


(Delirious after our massages, LOL)





Needless to say 2009 eneded perfectly!