This year we added "Elf on the Shelf" to our Christmas traditions. The night we got back from AZ for Thanksgivng I hid the elf and wrapped the book. The kids woke up and we're soooooo excited! Every day the first thing we here is Reagan's door open and then we hear her running through the house to find the elf's new spot. Unfortunately, I 've already messed up. It was only day 3 too. I forgot to hide the elf one night and Reagan woke up and when I heard her running down the stairs that's when Brock woke up to me saying "Oh crap!" as I realized what I had, or in this case hadn't, done. Reagan came running in, "The elf didn't fly back to Santa last night. How's Santa gonna know how we were?" So Brock came up with an excuse that the elf must have been sick last night and needed to rest so he could get better. It was too cold out and he didn't want to get more sick. Luckily she bought it.
Here's Buddy our elf. Reagan named him this because she, Easton and Dad had just watched "Elf" the movie the night before we got him.
A few Christmas crafts that we did as a family
No Chocolate for us, we put a little paper tag in each pocket telling us what surprise Christmas activity we get to do every day. It has been so much fun so far!
The first FHE night of the month we kick off the Christmas season with the story of the Nativity and then we get to open a gift (like the one the wisemen brought Jesus) which is their Christmas PJs.
My sweet, sweet, (did I mention sweet?) friend Steph took Easton along with her kids to Disneyland for the day. The only thing that I was sad about was that I couldn't be there to see his joy! Luckily she took so many great pictures of my boy.
This was extra special for Easton because he LOOOOOVES "Cars" right now. I was so excited he got to see the life-sized characters!
One of the first Christmas activities we did this year was to go to the "Live Nativity" that the Christian church down the street puts on. We've gone now for a few years and it has become another tradition that we share with the Koch and the Blad families.
June Bug and Easton
The kids all watching the story of Jesus' birth.
Here's the crew. We also brought our neighbor Ian with us.
Here we are at our ward Christmas party. Everyone came dressed in their PJ's.
Easton and Brin making some Christmas crafts.
The kids put on a Nativity. Reagan and Brin were angels, Luke a shepherd, and Easton was a camel.
Here they are. If you can see Reagan is the one up top folding her arms. So Reagan to be so "mater of fact" about her part.
For some reason Easton wouldn't go up with all the kids. Here Brock is trying to talk him into it.
My little camel
Here's Reagan waiting in line to see the big man.
EZ looking over to see if it's really Santa.
Reagan said she wanted a microphone and EZ wants Thomas and all his friends.
Time for ice cream!
A few of our Buddie sightings
Easton's end of the season party at "mommy and me preschool".
Jude, EZ, Brin
Sister Klecker in our ward invited us along with the rest of the scout committee over to make candy trains.
Her house was decorated to the hilt. She had a train rounding her tree and the kids couldn't get enough of it!
Another Christmas tradition is going to see the Boat Parade in Newport Beach. Here we are again with the Blads.
The Train to see Santa in Irvine is another family favorite. We made sure it didn't get missed this year since Easton is in LOOOOOVE with trains at the moment.
And we're off.....with The Duncan family in tow.
We had to get Easton with the conductor. Easton had so many questions and wanted to see all the parts of the train.
Good 'ol Santa
They had a cute area of activities for the kids. Here Easton and Jude are listening to Mrs. Clause read them a Christmas story.
Off to church in their Christmas duds
Here we are making gingerbread houses for family night.
We went to South Coast Mall and rode the reindeer merry-go-round.
Christmas Eve at Grandma Ebmeyer's
Reagan and Taylor
The gift opening frenzy
4 of the girls got the same gifts from grandma and Santa!
Time to put the Reindeer food out so they'll know where to stop!This year the Inn was full at grandma's house so uncle Bruce and family let us come join their Christmas!
It's a big slumber party for all the girls as they wait sleep in anticipation of Santa's arrival!
All in line ready to run out to see what Santa brought them.
Baby girl got her microphone! And EZ got his train and tracks (I'm sad I don't have a pic of it, just lots of video.)
Yum! Time for some blink-n-duffies (you got me on that spelling??)
Now Christmas night at Johnnie D's for dinner and the big white elephant game!
Talia and Manny announced their engagement! Congrats!
Bink-n-duffie breakfast round 2 at grandma Ebmeyer's house.
The kids playing their hearts out before we head back home. Is Christmas really all over??? That was way too fast!
Korrin and Reagan up in the tree
