December fun

December was filled with lots of activities with family and friends. We try to keep things simple around here but there are a few things that have become tradition. On the first day of the month we celebrate our anniversary AND we also start our advent calendar and Christmas book opening. We have collected several Christmas books over the years and the girls have a fun time opening one book each night to read before bedtime. We also have an advent calendar with chocolates, but many nights we didn't even open it because the girls already feasted on so many treats (tis' the season). A few days later we celebrated St. Nicolas Day. This included placing our shoes by the door and filling them with apples, carrots and whatever else we may have for St. Nicolas' horse.  The next morning we all woke up to candies and treats in our shoes. This year we also gave the girls their Christmas pajamas and Christmas ornament.

Our good friends were kind enough to host a gingerbread house decorating party. The girls had so much fun eating decorating their houses. Here is Jane totally loaded up on sugar!

I love the wreath that Cate put on her house. 

Lizzie was very focused and did a great job!

Cate and Claire have so much fun together. They are two peas in a pod.

Our girls had a great time at our Ward Christmas Party. They all participated in the nativity performance and did a great job. Jane played the part of Mary, and Cate and Lizzie were sheep.

One Saturday we braved the East Bay traffic and headed to Oakland to see the temple lights. It was a chilly night but our Chicago gear kept us warm. It was a beautiful, clear night and I am glad we made the trip.

On the last of school before the break, Cate's class did a holiday program with the kindergarten classes. They were too cute! Cate was a little nervous about performing but she did a great job and really enjoyed herself. She was especially excited to have Daddy come to school. When I showed up, she said, "what are you doing here!" Some day she will appreciate having me around, right?

Later that afternoon (on the last day of school) we headed back to Jane and Cate's school for an all school sing along. We sang Feliz Navidad, Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel and many Christmas songs.  It was a really fun activity and made me really grateful for this phase of life. Celebrating the Christmas season with these kiddos is so fun. I think elementary school is the sweet spot of childhood. Once school was out, we packed up the car and headed to San Francisco to meet Trever. We were lucky to have Mimi with us as well. We ate dinner together and looked at the holiday lights and displays. It was a little crazy getting into the city but it was a fun night and I am glad we made the trip.