Our Family: A White Christmas

The first few weeks of December were pretty uneventful. I already had Christmas presents bought, wrapped, and in the mail so I was ready for Christmas. We just did our school and work thing and waited excitedly for Christmas break to arrive so we could relax at home together and enjoy the Christmas holiday.

One exciting thing that happened was a fire at my school in my gym! I was driving to school when I got a call that said, "Because of a fire in your school gym please go straight to the church across from the school." We got the all clear from the fire marshall that students could return to their classrooms but we could not use the gym. The fire was not very big, started by a student, caught early and extinguished by our school Janitor but the smoke and the smell was bad enough I couldn't use the gym for PE till the next Monday so it had the weekend to air out. Bummer but I had Health lessons ready so I just went around to all the classrooms. It worked out and the students were so good through it all. On the first Monday of our break Memphis and Kayzee were already driving me crazy bouncing off the walls so I decided to go let them run around my school gym. Good thing I did. The ceiling in my PE office was leaking from the roof and the janitor was there so good thing I caught it early and didn't come back to school two weeks later with water damage. Fun times!

I am having an identity crisis. I have now officially lived in Utah longer than I have lived in California. Sad day when I realized that fact. But I grew up in California from age 4-18 so I will always claim Cali. BUT one thing I LOVE about Utah and always wanted growing up was a white snow filled Christmas. Christmas is just that much more complete with snow on the ground. At least for me. This year we have had plenty of snow for a few weeks and I have loved it. I don't even mind driving in it. Memphis and Kayzee have loved it too. We have built snowmen and tunnels and slides and have gone sledding have been on many 4-wheeler rides pulling a sled behind it. It has been fun. Here are some pictures of our snow filled fun.

Memphis digging his way through a snow tunnel

I have found a new love of shoveling snow. Seriously I love doing it. I won't let Danny do it and I have gotten to shovel our driveway and walkway 4 times now. NO! I will not come shovel your driveway…only mine;)

Sled and 4 wheeler rides! You can't see it but Memphis has the biggest grin on his face. He loves going fast on that sled behind daddy:)

Kayzee wouldn't go on the sled alone so Danny convinced me to go with her. It was so much fun:) I was actually surprised that little plastic sled didn't break once Danny had to start pulling all 3 of us. AWESOME!

Building a snowman and a slide in our backyard

The Sunday before Christmas I had to dress up Memphis and Kayzee in the Christmas outfits they got last year from my mom. It was great they still fit a whole year later. Aren't they the cutest brother and sister ever? I think so;)

Awww….

And while I am on their cute brotherness and sisterness here is another picture I caught of these two walking together holding hands. They really do love each other and play really well together. Best friends forever!

Here is Kayzee's letter to Santa this year. Memphis wouldn't do one but this is what Kayzee said…

Dear Santa,

I want a reindeer, a princess doll, a snowman, cute dresses, snowflakes, make-up, princess book and a fairy. I would like it if my family could get presents too because I love my mommy, daddy, and brother.

Love, Kayzee

Awwww…so sweet Kayzee and so thoughtful! We love you too.

Now on to Christmas!

Christmas Eve Danny had to work but he got off work early so we went outside to play in the snow while the sun was still up. Then we had our traditional dinner by candlelight (I grew up doing this) and read a picture book about the birth of Christ and the true meaning of Christmas. I also grew up opening up one gift from my Grandma and Grandpa Astle on Christmas Eve so we have continued that tradition because they are now sending Memphis and Kayzee (their great-grandchildren) gifts. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa Astle!!! We love you. The gift is pjs so it is perfect for Christmas Eve. Memphis and Kayzee ran up to change into their new pjs and then we all watched the cartoon of How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Classic.

This picture is our candlelit dinner but the flash doesn't help the whole scene. My kids think it is so cool eating in the dark with a few candles. Kayzee started screaming that her straw was hot and oops, her straw was melting over the heat from a candle.

Cute new pjs!

Kayzee had a fight with the corner of the kitchen table and got a pretty purple yellow bruise on her eyelid. Fun memories made tonight!

Christmas morning the kids woke up and came and climbed in bed with us. We watched some Christmas cartoons and ate yummy homemade cinnamon rolls in bed. Danny had made them the night before so it was perfect. Finally we made our way downstairs around 7:30am to find that Santa had come. Thanks to everyone especially our families who sent gifts for our Christmas. We love you parents and wish we lived closer. We spend Christmas day in our pjs playing with our gifts and watching our new movies. What a great family filled day.

Mine and Danny's gifts

Memphis' presents

Kayzee's presents

Memphis eating a cinnamon roll…yummy!

Memphis was spoiled as usual. He was so excited to get all the fun Jake and the Neverland pirate stuff to go with his ship he got for his birthday. Thanks mom!

Kayzee was spoiled too. She is obsessed with princesses so she was excited to get princess dress-up stuff. Thanks mom. Also that talking Princess Sophia goes with her everywhere.

Danny has a lot to read now.

Memphis and his new scooter. There is too much ice and snow still outside so I have taken him to my school gym to ride his scooter around. He loves it.