Temple Lights

This year we made it to the temple lights with all 4 kids + Martins

And it was great they all did wonderful and it was so fun.

Next year I hope we can go early and beat the crowds but it was special either way.

Having "older kids" that actually enjoy the lights and seeing new things was so much fun. We peeked in on the outdoor nativity which by this late in the season the kids were kind of over, sorry Jesus, I'm trying. 

After having a good little walk around the grounds and lights we were all ready for the warmth of the visitor center. 

I thought this was SO NEAT and I loved seeing the inside reproduction of the temple. 

Although no matter the Mom enthusiasm the kids only lasted about 10 seconds before they were like "yeah that's cool, let's go there". 

Strollers are amazing, and came in so handy
with the crowds because Connor was
really the only one walking. 

After looking at some of the trees and taking potty breaks we got in line for a show, it was a really fun bluegrass family they all played different instruments and sang Christmas songs. The kids were UTTERLY AMAZING! I LOVE having kids that actually sit still now. Sydney bounced around a bit but she was pretty amazing too! Piper clapped for the FIRST TIME EVER and we all really enjoyed it and Bella said she wanted to be a girl with a violin too.

We then even got a chance to go around and see all the cultural nativities, it was Bella and Connor's favorite part and they kept asking me where each and ever, like literally every single one, was from. I think it got a bit annoying for the people around us to hear me narrating but we loved it. That has always been my favorite part of the temple lights growing up so it was great having kids to partake too.

The kids were seriously amazing they were all starving the entire time since they hadn't eaten much at dinner so we had gotten McDonalds on the way, to eat outside while we walked around and looked at the lights but then forgot it in the car. So after the initial dissapointment wore off. There were no complaints.

Daddy escaped with the kids and got them fed while I took my time walking back with the Martin girls. Everyone gladly fell asleep on the way home; hopefully dreaming of the magical temple. 

#LIGHTTHEWORLD

mormon.org

In Primary the kids got Light the World sheets to go along with the new #lighttheworld church campaign. At first Connor and Bella were so competitive with it and wanted to get everything done right away. Well that only lasted for about 15 minutes; since they got done all the easy ones. But we kept it on the fridge as a reminder, and not only did it help us remember to be doing good it also made the kids happy to pick one after school to do. They loved crossing it off and making people feel happy.

One day my Mom and I made cookies for the sister's we visit teach (we're companions), Connor helped me drop them off. One older sister we went to we visited with for quite a while. I feared Connor was bored and wish he hadn't come. But afterwards as we made the way to the car, Connor told me "we should visit that lady again I think she really liked talking".
Seeing my little ones enjoy service and see the joy it brings others, is something I want to aspire to do more of. Because I can't describe to you the warmth it brings me as a Mother to see them serve and love it.

I can't say we have been great about watching all the videos and keeping up with all the #lighttheworld days. But we are doing our best and have had fun being a light to the world this season.

Reading to sisters.

Making a treat for the family, ice fruit.
HE WAS OVER THE MOON
FOR DAD TO TRY IT!
Then he went on to tape a commercial and
has high hopes for this summer of it being on
TV to earn some Money!!
A little off the whole service track...

Cookies for the neighbors. 

Taking the missionaries out to dinner.

They also made Mommy a surprise breakfast in bed, said lots of prayers about friends and "sick people", they worked on learning their primary songs, drew pictures for our friends, worked on giving compliments, gave gifts to our teachers, watched videos about Jesus, and went caroling to the MARTIN house.

Some of these things as things we would do normally, but it was kind of cool to think about how we are being a light and serving when we are doing these daily things too. I'd like to think this challenge made us think a little more and try a little harder to serve, and love all of those around us.

We talked a lot about how we're trying to be like Jesus. (And worked on learning the primary song, I'm Trying to be Like Jesus, which we are still working on :))

Little by little we went to remember how important it is for us to be a light to the world. Especially in small and simple ways. That can teach us and help us grow closer to our Heavenly Father and his Son, Jesus Christ.



https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/light-the-world-25-days-of-service?lang=eng

Christmas Morn

After all the little ones woke up we waited for Daddy to get ready so we could make our way downstairs.
Sydney was too anxious to wait and went down a few times with reports that Santa had not come.
No one really believed her since she had a sly little smirk and was giddy with excitement.
Before long Daddy was set and we all eagerly ran down to stockings overflowing and gifts galore.

Sydney was over the moon about her little jewelry bag with rings and a bracelet and necklace and lip gloss and in between each turn she'd sneak back to it and play until she was FORCED to open another present. 

Piper was happily giddy over her treats from Santa. And enjoyed watching all the excitement. But not quite getting what it all really was for.

Connor was waiting patiently and confidently for his beloved xbox and sure enough last but not least the family present from Santa was the XBOX. He was a happy camper throughout the morning though he really was happy with everything.

Bella was pleasantly shocked by each gift even if she didn't get it. 

After presents were opened we dressed for church and enjoyed a special sacrament meeting and everyone loved playing with toys while we watched Santa Claus. 

Bella's favorites were her dress up princess things and her cash register. 

Cowboy cap guns were Connor's fav (excluding the xbox)! And Dad and him spent all day using all the caps up out back so now they are just regular old cowboy guns which is even better (Mom says!).

Her jewelry and lip gloss and little zip bag took #1! But Baby and baby bed were close second and third.

We even snuck back into PJ's and had a big yummy Christmas Day brunch!

We played and played...

Checkers and Guess Who multiple times, and princess, and doctor, and Mommy, and xbox and store clerk, and...

it was exhausting; as Christmas always is. 

But it was happy and joyful.

We also had Christmas Dinner and presents at the Martin's and that was a perfect end to a long day.

Bethlehem on the Eve

On Christmas Eve we finished wrapping the family presents and got things all set for Christmas Morning. 

We had a special Bethlehem Dinner which was seriously fun. All the kids loved it. We got all dressed up in our nativity clothes and had dinner by candle light. Enjoying crackers, cheese, pita bead, olives, nuts, berries, and steak slices (huge hit). The kids loved picking their dinner and loved being all dressed up. We went around the table and talked about all the things Jesus did in his life, we talked about how he was such an example to us and gift and all the things he did were like gifts too, and then went back around the table saying something we wanted to give Jesus this year. Having our new nativity set up before us was a sweet reminder and really set a tone for the evening.

Mommy said she wanted to pray more, like Jesus.

Bella said she wanted to be nice.

Connor said he wanted to stop lying all the time.

Sydney said she wanted to give Jesus a baby like him.

Daddy said he wanted to read scriptures more. 

Piper apparently wants to laugh more, because she thought all of this was hilarious. 

After wards we acted out the nativity and it was much more successful than last year and we were all relatively reverent too, which was definitely an improvement. (Watching the nativty via youtube lds clips and talking about how special and sacred it was several times, really set the mood.)

Cast List:
Daddy: Joseph
Bella: Mary
Baby doll: Jesus
Sydney: Angel
Connor: Wise Men
Mommy and Piper: Shepherds/Narrator

After the Nativity, it was time to open the special Christmas Eve Box Mom had prepped. I reminded the kids earlier that day that the Christmas Eve box doesn't have toys. We talked about the things we have in it each year, new clothes, treats, ornaments, etc. Last year was frustrating so I was very happy that with a little more understanding it made the whole thing more fun. 

This year they had Christmas Dress Clothes, Christmas Cartoon Classic Movie Collection, Ornaments, and treats. 

They loved it and were ready to eat their treats and fall asleep to White Christmas. 

But don't worry Connor remembered Santa...

... And Santa remembered him.

Jingle Jinx

SO GUESS WHAT NEW TRADITION WE STARTED THIS YEAR!!!

And the kids LOVED IT!

Naming him and all; waking up, racing down the stairs, searching for the elf, telling everyone where he was and talking to the elf and everything it has all been so much fun. 

Here are a few places Jingle Jinx hid ...

(He also covered himself in stickers, hid on the fan, in a candle holder, and in a coat pocket in the closet.I'm sure our elf had trouble finding places some nights, because some of his spots we're kind of lame, but all in all the kids loved every bit of our elf on the shelf.)

Interesting side note: Connor asked and asked if we could ask Santa for an elf on the shelf. So we wrote him and he came! Connor woke up thrilled and told Bella all about him, Bella was angrily defiant that he was a real elf. There was a huge debate on his realness the first day. I just said told them if they believe in him he has the magic to be real if they don't believe his magic will fade and he will just be a doll. Connor was a devoted believer, Bella told me things secretly "He doesn't have feet.", "His eyes don't move.", "He can't fly." Sydney was full on in love with anything about believing and couldn't get enough. She did touch him once and then he went missing for a day, but he did come back (after soaking up some more magic at the north pole...I believe).

It was funny though because despite Bella's disbelief she enjoyed finding him the most each morning. 

I can't say having our elf around helped us be "nice" but he did make for some extra special moments as the kids (Connor and Sydney) chatted with him. 

Who knows next year maybe he will be back!