Merry Christmas!!!!!

All of our family lives outside the state of Utah. So we pack our bags and visit our family each year. We are celbrating Christmas early and decided to this weekend was the magic time. We hope that everyone has a Merry Christmas!

Christmas in Missouri at Papa Mike and Nana T's houses.

Christmas in Iowa at Papa Alex and Nana Sonia's House

(I was really bad at taking pictures in Iowa. The kids and I were really sick.)

Temple Square

Our family braved the cold snowy weather for a trip to Temple Square.  We enjoyed the lights and listening to the story of Savior's birth. Peyton and Annisten loved listening to the story of the Savior's birth and the Nativity by the tabernacle. They intently listen to the entire story.

Corey and I love going to Temple Sqaure because of the spirit we feel at Temple Sqauare and the reaffirming confirmation of the gosipel of Jesus Chirst. The love of Christ warmed our hearts and brought tears to our eyes.

Here comes Santa Claus...

The kids were so excited about Santa coming. We made special cookies for Santa. Peyton said Santa likes the cookies with Christmas candies on them. So I bought the Nestle Toll House Holiday ones. They have striped red or green chips on the chocolate cookies. The kids helped bake and eat the cookies. Peyton also fussed about finding just the right spot for Santa's cookies and milk. We had to try several places. Annisten just followed Peyton around and repeated everything he said about Santa. We read the night before Christmas and off the kids went to bed.

The next morning about 8:00 (which is really late for our house) we heard little footsteps running down the hall. Annisten came and hoped in bed with us; She must have forgotten about Santa. About 15 minutes later, we heard the footsteps again. Then we heard Peyton excitedly yelling "Santa was here, wake up!" Annisten sat up all in a panic and wiggled all around until she made it off the bed. Peyton was jumping up and down in our room waiting for everyone to follow.

I love the fun and excitement Santa brings for the kids. It is so much fun for Corey and I to see their eyes light up.

While putting together things for Christmas (until 1:30 in the morning!), Corey and I were talking. We really liked celbrating the Savior's birth on a different night than Santa coming to our house. I think that it helps set apart the commercial side to Christmas. That way on Christmas Eve we can celbrate the true meaning of Christmas and focus on the Savior.  we think we are going to make that into another family tradion at our house.