Pre-Christmas Fun

Since it's half-way through January and I haven't gotten around to posting anything about Christmas, we're doing the abbreviated version, as told mostly by our pictures. It was a super fun Christmas break and we enjoyed hanging out at home doing nothing, spending lots of time with family including Todd's family that came to visit for a few weeks, and going on adventures that we don't always take the time to go do.
Some of the stuff we did leading up to Christmas:

Ryan's preschool class had a short program we went to where they sang and signed Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer. 

Annie's class made gingerbread houses and I got to go in to help.

 The kids stayed overnight at Grandma and Grandpa's house so Jacob and I could celebrate our anniversary a few weeks late with an over-nighter at the fancy resort where Jacob's work party was held that same night.
Annie got all blinged out in Grandma Knight's and some of Grandma Jolley's old jewelry.

 The kids decorated ugly Christmas sweater cookies while they were there, too.

 At some point Mom and I got together and made lots of delicious caramels, fudge, candied pecans, and such. So much sugary goodness. :)

 Ryan dressed up for the occasion:

We went to Winterhaven to see all the pretty Christmas lights.

 Justin borrowed grew some hair.

 We rested and enjoyed some down time. :)

 Christmas Eve fun:

 Ryan wanted to take a picture of my ugly Christmas sweater t-shirt. In Arizona you can't actually wear a sweater when it doesn't get cold enough for long sleeves, so we replicate it t-shirt style.

 We had our best Nativity acting out ever.

 Ryan looked super dapper for church:

#LIGHTtheWORLD

We have been loving the Church's Light the World initiative this December. We've been following along trying to do one kind act a day, mostly following the suggested theme for the day, but not always. We've mostly been doing small things, but towards the end of November I sat down and made some plans for a few things that would require planning. I invited some friends and it has been fun.
To kick off the month with the Worldwide Day of Service Rachel and Annie held a sock drive in their classes at school from Dec 1-7th. They were able to collect 163 pair of socks, or 326 socks total. It was pretty cool for them to be involved in that. We delivered the adult sizes to a group that helps homeless people, and the smaller sizes that they wouldn't use we dropped off at AVIVA, a group that helps place and care for foster kids.

We were also able to help sew up a few bags for the kids at AVIVA so they can put whatever clothing/toiletries they get in something more substantial than a garbage bag.


For mutual the Mia Maids that I work with at church brought together donations and made 20 sack lunches for men going through a work program for the homeless. The kids (minus Rachel who was at school) helped me deliver the lunches the next day.

We this again last week with some friends so our kids could help pack the lunches. It's nice to find a some service activities that the kids can participate in at their age.

I had suggested that we go caroling at a nursing home when I emailed my friends with my ideas for the month. One of my friends that is much more of a performer than I took over that task and arranged a whole talent show for the residents at a nursing home. It was pretty awesome. Rachel played What Child Is This? on the piano, Annie told a few jokes, and Ryan and Megan donned doggie ears and barked along to a doggie version of Jingle Bells along with some other little friends. There were other musical numbers, including piano, violin, guitar, singing, and a dancing number, and an awesome hula hoop number. We sang a few Christmas songs altogether, and left feeling great.

That was the kids' highlight of all the #LIGHTtheWORLD activities we've done this month.

Other things we did include inviting a neighbor over for dinner, and taking cookies and thank you notes to the firefighters. I have loved all these ideas and the focus that has been in our house on finding ways to serve and thinking of others this Christmas season. It really has enriched the season and I think the kids have been focused a lot less on presents and themselves, and more on the reason for the Season.

Merry Christmas everyone!!

Other news

In other news lately, Annie won her class spelling bee and got to go on to compete in the school-wide bee.

 She was pretty nervous the night before, but Rachel told her how it all worked from her experience in 1st grade, and that helped.

 Annie made it through several rounds and ended up getting 2nd place in kindergarten after she missed the word love. She spelled it L-U-V-E. Just like it sounds, plus the silent E she knew was at the end. :)

 We were glad we got to go see her do so great.

 And yes, Megan is wearing socks with her sandals. and pants and a skirt under her skirt. That girl is definitely 2 and has a very clear opinion about every piece of clothing she wants to wear. And it's not worth fighting over. I'm just glad she's dressed. :)

Ryan earned a trip to Trail Dust Town for good listening (though since we've gone his listening skills have dropped off dramatically). The carousel is always a favorite.

 We all took a ride around the place on the train, and stopped at the sweet shop right where the train departs from.

 Most pictures we tried failed due to poor lighting and a mediocre phone camera. But Annie Oakley's portrait turned out:

 It was a fun night as always at Trail Dust Town, though the kids were sad we didn't stay for the stunt show. Maybe when their cousins are here for Christmas...

Christmas is Coming!

Once the house guests were on their way back home after Thanksgiving we decided it was time to move on to Christmas, and Jacob went out and started packing in the Christmas decorations from the garage.

 The kids were happy to see their long-lost toys that only come out at Christmas time.

 Rachel and Annie had a fun time looking through their Christmas ornaments before hanging them on the tree.

 Megan had the honor of placing her first star ever on top of the tree.

 Rachel got to put the star on the tree in the family room. (The kids take pleasure in counting our many Christmas trees of all sizes inside and outside--15, I think, if you count the 9 small ones lining the sidewalk.)

The following Saturday Santa came to visit Rita Ranch. He even brought his Elf on the Shelf.

The kids logged their requests. Annie: a conch shell, gems, gold, silver, Shopkins. This girl aims high.

 Ryan: A carrier truck with a car on it like one he saw at Fry's.

 Megan: wouldn't go near Santa, but didn't mind Mrs. Claus.

 Rachel: Heely's. Even though Santa warned her of their dangers and how the wheels are banned at school.

 All in all, a successful trip to seen Santa. We always like when he comes to LONG Realty because there's no long lines like at the mall and the pictures are free. All in all a winner. :)

In other Christmas preparations we got our Christmas cards mailed out and even managed to write a Christmas letter this year. If anyone wants one that didn't get one,  just email/PM me, it's probably just because I don't have your address. Unless you live in my ward, in which case I haven't gotten around to those yet. In the meantime, here's the letter we sent out: 

Thanksgiving 2016

Thanksgiving last year with all of Jacob's and my family (minus 1) was such a success that Jacob's family decided to do it again. And since that meant we could see everyone without driving 12+ hours, we were happy to host. (Thanks to you who did drive 12+ hours to come see us!)

Grandma and Grandpa Campbell got here on Tuesday night. Wednesday the kids were off of school, and enjoyed some special time with the grandparents before the other cousins got there. Grandma took the kids to the 99 Cent Only store which was a highlight for them. Wednesday night Andrew's family rolled in, followed by Mark's family a while later.

Thursday we got up and I got to work cooking and the kids got to work cramming in as much fun as they could while their cousins were in town. There was lots of outside play and some crafting going on inside, along with some card games that Grandma had picked up at the store the day before.

 Grandma Campbell took care of the vegetarian turkey for us:

 When the kids were getting hungry, we pulled out some Thanksgiving placemats for them to color. Only half of them cared to stop running around outside to participate. :)

 The menfolk enjoyed some visiting/relaxation time:

 When dinner was finally ready the kids gathered round, put on their turkey hats they had made that morning or the day before, and ate REALLY SLOWLY.

 Last year we had the kids eat first, then adults enjoy their meal. This year we realized too late that the adults should have sat down and eaten while the kids were happily engaged playing outside, then they could come eat after we had enjoyed our meal. :) Maybe next year.

 Friday was much the same, though with a trip to the park thrown in for variety. In general, though, there was a lot of outside play and running around.

 When some fighting started I enlisted everyone's help to make some decorations for Christmas. They took their jobs very seriously and whipped out some good decorations.

 Friday night was BBQ night. Yay!

 

 Cutie Christian is just a happy little guy.

 The girls enjoyed Go Fish quite a bit.

 Megan and Matthew had some fun together, and had some fights over toys, too. But apparently the plan to make tunnels for the tractor and Matthew to go through was quite fun for all involved.

 More card games.

 Movie time:

 Jacob's mom brought a big stack of pictures from her grandpa, so Jacob helped scan them and attache them to the right people on FamilySearch.org.

 One last game before Grandma and Grandpa had to head out:

 Everyone left Saturday morning for their long drives back home. We were glad they were willing to drive all that way just for 2 or 3 days. Much fun was had by all!