A Little Elf Stopped By...

       We were quite surprised when we pulled in the driveway last night!  Some anonymous elf had stopped by and left a sign so Santa wouldn't miss his stop.  My only wish is that the elf would have been able to see the girls excitement when they noticed it! As Kaitlyn and Kourtney read the sign out loud, Makell's comment was, "We have been good!"  It was a fun moment!  That anonymous elf sure brought excitement to these girls!

Piano Recital

The girls performed in their Christmas piano recital. I love this time of year when the sound of Christmas music fills the rooms of our home! This year has come along with a few changes.  Due to busy school schedules, Jake teamed up with Kaite. The girls love her!  We have seen such an improvement with Kaitlyn. Kourtney is doing amazing!  She is starting to play some fun things and enjoying it even more!

Festival of Lights

Once again this year, we made a trip through the Festival of Lights!  The kids love being able to ride in the back of the truck, as we drive through the thousands of lights.  The weather couldn't have been better!  One of our fun family traditions!

Poke Her Face!

One afternoon while driving in the car with the girls, a song came on the radio called "Poker Face" by Lady Gaga. I'm not a fan of the song to be honest.  Before I could changed the radio station, I heard commotion coming from the backseats. I took a quick glance in the rearview mirror and wondered what on earth they were doing?  As the lyrics were being sung, the girls were poking each others faces. I realized that they were interpreting the lyrics as "Poke Her Face"! Oh how I love the innocence of children! This moment made me laugh out loud!  Now when the song comes on the radio I leave it! It gives Adam and I a good chuckle! :)  

Peter's back!

The little ones are stoked that Peter returned this year! It amazes me how much motivation this little Elf's creates. Just the other night Peter was found hiding in the toy room. Wouldn't you know that it wasn't too long after that I found the room spotless! I guess they were afraid what Peter would tell Santa!  I think I'm going to like having Peter around! ;)

Celebrating 100!

   Last night my family all got together for dinner in celebration of my grandpa Deans 100 birthday!  Even though he is no longer with us we still think of and reminisce about him often.  He was a big part of or lives! Some of my fondest memories were of him coming to eat dinner with us every night!  I remember climbing up his knees and then flipping over! He would let us do this over and over again!  Of course my dad has many of the same traits and mannerisms that remind us of our grandfather. It was fun getting together to celebrate his life and the memories that he created and left with each of us!       

Gifts to Christ...

   I tried something new last year with the family and it was such a huge success that it is now our new family Christmas tradition! We call it our "Secret Gifts to Christ!"  I find that I tend to stress myself out during the holidays when I try to make it more complicated than it needs to be.  Last year was so memorable for me and I know it was because I simplified wherever I could.  Instead of spending so much time running around and trying to help the girls come up with gift ideas for each other, we decided that we would do secret acts of services for others instead. Each person received a bag full of "warm fuzzies".  (To know more about warm fuzzies go to  LDS.org   -A Birthday Wish Fulfilled)  Since we are celebrating the birth of the Savior throughout the month, each of us will give our "warm fuzzies" away by doing something nice for someone else and then adding it to our gift for the Savior. (Matthew 25:40)

Every evening we check the box to see how many "warm fuzzies" have been added since the prior evening.  It has made us more aware of what others do for us!

The gift box it placed under the tree. In order to put a fuzzie in you have to be sneaky so you don't get caught!  :)  I love the Holidays and experiencing the true meaning!

Me met our goal for the Holiday's!