Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve is probably my favorite part of Christmas!  I have so many wonderful memories spending time at my Grandpa and Grandma McAllister's house.  We would eat a yummy turkey dinner then sit around and eat more treats and watch Nick Jr. until it was time to open presents.  We didn't have cable TV growing up so it was a huge novelty to watch TV at my Grandparent's home. Some of our favorite programs were Green Acres and Mr. Ed.  So fun!  My kids like to watch TV there too and watch old episodes of Tom and Jerry.  As we got older we would chat and sometimes play games.  My Grandma always had a gift for picking the perfect present for everyone.  Mostly we got clothes that were super stylish.  Santa would make an appearance about every three years and always had a treat for everyone.  We would often have to perform piano pieces for my Grandma.  She always loved to hear her grandchildren play the piano.  We would also sing Christmas Carols and just have the most wonderful time.  Honestly some of my favorite memories growing up are Christmas Eve with Grandma and Grandpa McAllister. 
 

 

 

We did a Christmas nativity and Carly LOVES to be Mary and no one else really does so she has become quite the professional.  The kids always love to get their jammies.  This year they came with slippers that they have worn exactly two times.  The girls had a roller skate on them - perfect for our amateur rollerbladers.  The boys were a few sizes to big so maybe will we wrap them up and give them to them again next year!
It was a wonderful Christmas Eve! 

A Train Trip to Temple Square

A few days before Christmas we decided to take the FrontRunner to Salt Lake City to see the lights at Temple Square.  The train ride was really fun and the workers came around and passed out candy canes.  It was a fairly short trip but so fun not to be buckled down in a car seat!
 

 

 

 

 

Temple Square was so pretty.  This is the first time the kids have been there.  It was quite crowded and super cold but it was fun! 

We are a Disneyland Family!

We decided for Christmas this year that we were going to give our family Disneyland season passes.  We woke the kids up early and told them to get in the car... we had a surprise for them.  They caught on pretty fast and Anna kept asking "are we going to Disneyland?!" "We're going to Disneyland right?!"  When we were on the road we finally told them where we were going.  Then we surprised them that we actually got season passes.  Mac and Brad were kind of indifferent but Anna and Carly were super exctied.  They said they wanted this every year for Christmas and they didn't care if they got anything else. It was an awesome day there!  Not too crowded.  We decided it would only be appropriate to start our day off with Dumbo, the quintessential ride of Disneyland.

 

 

 

The carosol was also a hit!  Brad didn't like some of the dark and scary rides but he was a trooper.  Brad even went on the Matterhorn as a 2-yr-old.

Brad is a HUGE Woody fan.  All he wanted for Christmas was a big Woody doll.  He was a little unsure about actually meeting Woody but he was a trooper.  During the parade Brad yelled to Santa that he wanted a big Woody for Christmas.  He looked back at McKay and told him that Santa said "sure."  As far as Brad was concerned it was a done deal.  Woody was going to be there Christmas morning! 

 

 

 

The parade was awesome - a little crowded but fun.  We also saw Sleeping Beauty's Castle light up and then it snowed on Main Street.  It was a magical day.  We were exhausted by the time we went home.  We didn't get to do everything we wanted but we were so happy because we knew we could come back A LOT and it didn't matter!  Anna and Carly were troopers walking everywhere.  Mac and Brad sat in the stroller most of the time, which saved us.  Overall it was one of our happiest days ever!

Gingerbread Houses

The girls went to Mia's christmas tea party and made gigerbread houses.They did a gift exchange . Carly got a pony with a long tail, Anna got squinkies.

Solvang

After opening Anna's presents we headed off to Solvang for the day. We had never been there so we were excited for something new to do. It is a cute Danish Village with fun little shops and bakeries. It is geared a little more for an older crowd but the kids still had fun.

We got some really good hot chocolate and pastries here. The havarti cheese was amazing. I am a HUGE fan of havarti cheese. I love all cheese but it is pretty much my favorite.

We rode a surrey around town and got a good workout. Anna was hoping she would be big enough to pedal but she was not quite there. Maybe next year??? Mac wore his helmet practically the whole day. I can barely get him to wear his helmet EVER at home so I was completely shocked he wore it around Solvang the whole day!

We ate lunch at Tower Pizza per Anna's request.

We found this super cute park to play at on our way out of town. They had fun slides and swings.

After we got home from Solvang the Barlows came over and we had cake and ice cream. Anna has been wanting a panda bear cake for awhile. She got a new sleeping bad from Grandma and Grandpa Barlow. She also asked Alisa for cash instead of a check this year. Because when she gets a check her parents just put it in her bank account and she never sees it! Corrine gave her a new blanket.

It was dark when we got home from Solvang but McKay went with her around the neighborhood on her new rollerblades. Overall #9 was a great birthday!

Anna turns 9!!!

Anna turned 9 this year. She had a fun birthday. She got some new clothes, a new outfit for her doll, and ROLLERBLADES! She was so excited to get rollerblades. McKay has taught the kids the importance of only asking for one thing if you really really want to get it. She is a whiz on rollerskates so it took no time at all for her to pick up rollerblading.

Carly made Anna a dress for her doll and a new crocheted belt. Happy Birthday Anna!

The Turkeys go on Strike

Carly was a Pilgrim, like Anna ,for her play the Turkeys go on Strike. She did a super job. She was also responsible for turning the music on and off - an important part of the play. :)

Right now she is playing the part of a Pilgrim who has been on the boat for 66 days, so bored. She had some speaking parts and sang two songs with her fellow Pilgrims.

Good job Carly!