Dec- Week 3- Immigration Day, Bfast and Santa, Ben Gymnastics, Nelson Party, Christmas Carol, Nursery Nativity, McK Piano Recital

Wednesday night Dan went caroling at Primary Children's Hospital with the young men and young women and was able to take Ben with him.  

Thursday Dan's work had their giving tree gift pick up by the Airman from the Hill Air Force Base.  We also had Desi over to play that morning.  That evening, Dan's parents were nice enough to take McKenna and I to Hale Theater Christmas Carol.  It was so so good!  We met Dan afterwards for dinner at Smash Burger.  

Friday Dan stayed home from work so I could go help with McKenna's 2nd grade Immigration Day.  They were assigned an "immigrant" from the early 1900's; McKenna was Maria Tomasso, age 16 from Italy.  She was coming to America to be a seamstress and live with her sister.  Her health condition was blurry vision.  There were so many parent volunteers we were able to set up a mock Ellis Island experience! First, they simulated a boat ride coming to America. So cool! When they first arrive at Ellis Island, they went through a medical evaluation where it is determined if they need to see a specialist, get treatment for something, or be "deported" for their condition.  Then they fill out a "landing card" with their name, destination, desired job, how much money they have with them, and a signature.   This was finalized at the government inspection area where they received a certificate of naturalization.  

Her whole class dressed as immigrants.  

Here's her medical check and filling out her landing card.  Certainly a day she will never forget! 

That night we drove through a light display called Christmas in Color which one of Dan's cousin's husband is a part of.  SUPER cool! 

Time lapse video.

After that, we drove up to the Hilton Garden Inn for a fun hotel night! 

There was swimming then hanging out with the grown-ups after the kids were in bed.  

The next morning, Saturday, we got dressed and ready for the Davis County Conference Center's Breakfast with Santa! 

There was amazing food as always and fun magicians walking around entertaining people.  

There were also fun characters, who Anna was afraid to look at.  And of course face painting...or hand painting in Anna's case.  

Aaaaaand cookie decorating!  They really have it all!  SUCH a fun morning! 

Our turn with Santa! Bethany loved it.  

Almost all the Websters.  Missing the Winegars who had to leave a little early.  

After breakfast with Santa we went straight to a gymnastic demonstration for Ben.

My sister and Dan's parents came to watch him as well and he sure liked being the center of attention. 

Getting his ribbon. 

We got home around 1:30, unpacked and tried to rest up a little.  We gave the kids baths then headed to the Nelson Family Christmas Party.  We had a delicious dinner then the kids acted out the Nativity.  Ben was a shepherd and McKenna had a little narrator speaking part.  Bethany was pretty cute standing in funny places. 

Such a wonderful crowd of people we love, and a wonderful Christmas message from Grandfather.  

Sunday Anna got to be Mary in the Nativity they acted out in Nursery.  Her friend Beck was Joseph and she could not have been more happy! 

After church we attended an open house at our neighbor's, the Reudter's.  

McKenna also had her Piano recital!  So proud of her! 

Jack and the Beanstalk

Hark the Herald Angels

Square Dance Duet

Monday the kids started their two week Christmas break!  My brother came over for a visit and I went to run some errands while he babysat.  Unfortunately, Anna caught the stomach virus and threw up.  Poor Jonathan had to clean it up.  :( 

In the afternoon, Dan attended Ailin's swearing-in ceremony!  She is now an official United States citizen!  

Tuesday I went visiting teaching, McKenna had a play date at the Roth's to make snowglobes, and Ben went to Taggart Lewis's birthday party.  After the kids were in bed, Dan went to see Star Wars: Rogue One with his dad and Sarah Jane.  

Wednesday we delivered our neighbor gifts (Kleenex: We "tissue" a Merry Christmas!).  After lunch McKenna and Ben played at the Stewart's house.  Then McKenna and I attended a baby shower for one of Dan's cousins, Lindsay Irion Wood.  After that, we went to Emma, Reed, Andrew, and Russell's piano recital.  

Goofy kids sharing Dan's hoodie footie! 

Silly video!

Dec- Week 2- Letter L, Mo Tab Concert, Hilton's BD, Gingerbread Houses, Bethany Sick

Thursday McKenna came home with some fun slime/goop from school. 

 Bethany continued with her awful nighttime sleep.  This kind of worked out nicely on this particular day because she was able to take an early nap and sleep through me teaching preschool.  

At preschool that day we matched numbers and dots on leaves, and painted with lemons and limes.  

That night Ben caught a stomach virus and was throwing up so I had to stay home with him while Dan attended the Stake Christmas Open House with Anna.  

 

Friday we attended the Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert!  All three "fashion cookies" are now old enough to be in the conference center!  

Unfortunately, I caught the stomach virus next and was sick all night long.  :(

Saturday I had to miss choir practice for the big Stake Prelude to Christmas Concert, but Anna was able to attend a birthday party for Hilton Smith.  It was a pajama party with the movie Frozen and hot chocolate! 

Thankfully I was feeling ok by the afternoon so Dan could go set up a booth and make some presentations about Foster Care at a dance concert in addition to thanking the attendees for the funds raised for kids in foster care.  We didn't know our little niece Kate would be performing at that recital!  So he got to see his brother's family and his parents there too. 

Sunday she woke up with some great bed head and also sported her first piggy tails! 

At church Bethany's sleep struggles at night manifested itself again.  She fell asleep so fast and easily in my arms during church...it was weird.  

Sunday evening was the Prelude to Christmas Concert!  Both McKenna and I sang in it and McKenna quite enjoyed her first choir experience! 

Monday, I read with students in Ben's class.  When he got home, he tried to help put Bethany down for a nap that day.  

 That evening we had Webster family dinner to celebrate December BDs and we made gingerbread houses!  Yes, the finished product had a giant U on it.  I'm not proud of it. ;) 

 Tuesday was pretty insignificant.  

Wednesday Ben and Anna both had friends over from 10:30-12:30.  Then on our way to pick up McKenna from school, Bethany threw up in the car...she had caught the stomach bug too. :(  Poor thing threw up three times within a half hour.  Thankfully my friend Mary Lyn was able to pick up McKenna and we got Beffy all cleaned up and down for a nap. 

 She ended up throwing up one more time around dinner but was then thankfully done for the night.  

Dec- Week 1- Fest. of Trees, Ward Party, Devo, Charlie Blessing, Kids' Concert, Letter L, Utah Bball, Temple Square

Thursday, Dec. 1, Dan and I attended a Jazz game with some of the Websters.  Dinner at Chile Amore before! 

Friday McKenna had youth choir practice for Prelude to Christmas and then went to her friend Kendyl's BD party.  She made gingerbread cookies and went hot tubbing! 

Saturday was quite busy!  We got groceries in the morning then attended Ethyn Puzey's baptism.  McKenna and Ethyn have been in the same primary class since nursery!  Then we met up with my siblings at Festival of Trees!  This is the first year it really dawned on me that by purchasing tickets, we are contributing to a wonderful charity.  We were just enjoying the sights!

Some of the favorites included anything Frozen, a lighthouse tree, Star Wars, and Tsum Tsums.  

I also loved the Candy Land and Fairy Garden trees.  

We got home in time for Bethany to take a nap, give the kids baths, make some brownies (with Anna's help)...

...then head to the ward Christmas party! The youth created this lovely photo booth corner.  Unfortunately, Bethany was not 100% herself.  She had a low fever and was still not sleeping well.  

The kids were divided 50/50...loving/hating Santa.  So funny! 

The primary also dressed in Nativity clothes and sang a few songs.  

Sunday we attended our nephew Charlie Stewart's baby blessing!

In the evening we attended the First Presidency Christmas devotional and McKenna got to come to a meeting in the conference center for the first time! 

Monday this poor thing (poor both of us really) was so exhausted!  It's like we were sleep training her again.  She would scream for at least 30mins when we put her to bed, then wake up at least once in the middle of the night and need to be rocked for an hour or more! 

Monday evening was the kids' Christmas Concert!  The kids did great! Can you spot Ben?

Ben's songs

Do You Want to Build a Snowman?

Frosty the Snowman

Jingle Bells

McKenna's songs

Here Comes Santa Claus

Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree

Song from Polar Express

Tuesday I taught the letter Ll at preschool.  We colored a Lego guy, had licorice and linguini for snack, did leg exercises, made Lls with our body, and played library.  

That evening we went to the Utah vs. UVU basketball game. We had some extra tickets so the Holdstock boys came with us! 

Wednesday I went visiting teaching.  In the evening I went on a date with Dan and the Priests to look at Temple Square lights!  It was only in the 20s so it was not my favorite climate. ;)