Holiday Festivities

 The holiday season has come and gone, and though we didn't do as many festive things as last year (this prego woman just didn't have the energy!), we did manage to fit in some holiday festivities.

The day after Thanksgiving, we spent cleaning the house top to bottom.  Only then could we put up Christmas decorations.

 And after all that cleaning we still had some energy to put up the tree.  The kids had a lot of fun putting the ornaments all over the tree.

 And Lucy really wanted to do the angel on top so Spencer gave her a little lift.

The next weekend our neighborhood put on a "Christmas Parade of Homes." You bought a ticket for $5 and got to go tour seven homes in the neighborhood to see all their Christmas decor.  My friend and neighbor Ashley put it all together and it was a lot of fun! I got to see the layouts of different houses I hadn't seen before and it's fun to see how into Christmas a lot of people get.  I didn't, however, take any pictures. :(

On Saturday, the first, we headed over to the Festival of Trees.  My grandma had stayed with us for a few days earlier in the week to set it up and we were excited to go.  The kids, however, lasted a whole 1/2 hour before they both had complete meltdowns and we left.  They did like the trees and Sammy especially liked all the trains everywhere.

That same evening we had our ward's Christmas party.  There was yummy food, and fun program, and gingerbread house decorating.

The kids had a lot of fun putting candy all over the house.

The big guy himself showed up too.  Lucy sat on his lap this year but Sammy wouldn't.  Maybe one year we'll get a picture with all our kids and Santa.  Maybe.

The next Friday, the 7th, was the Manwill Family Christmas party.  It was fun to visit with cousins and such.  I didn't take any pictures though.

I also had a lot of fun with my book club that night, visiting and exchanging gifts.  We did a fun theme to our exchange - our favorite things.  We each brought things we love to give to each other.  It was fun to learn about each other as we opened gifts and picked books for the next year. December book club is always my favorite.

On Saturday, the 15th, Spencer and I went out for our 6th anniversary (which is actually on the 16th).  Mom stayed with the kids while we ventured downtown for dinner at P.F. Changs (YUM!) and then we decided to catch a late showing of The Hobbit.  It was so much fun to just hang out with Spencer all evening.

Sunday, the 16th, we had a family party with the McConnell side.  We all exchanged presents and the kids were spoiled, of course.  We also had yummy food and visited.  I really forgot to bring my camera to so many events this season! Maybe it's this pregnancy brain!

Tuesday, the 18th, Lucy had her preschool Christmas program.  They sang a bunch of songs, danced to some, and each said a part that had to do with what they've learned so far this year.  Lucy wouldn't even practice her part with me, so her teacher helped her say it.  She gets really nervous and shy when she's in the spotlight.  She did great with the singing and dancing though and we got it on video.

They also did a little gift exchange.  They were supposed to bring a gift that would be appropriate for either a boy or girl and she ended up with a couple of hot wheels.  Guess that parent didn't read the instructions! Oh well, I traded her for a princess thing I had at home and all was well again.

The event was held at the Cultural Celebration Center so there would be enough parking and room for all the parents and we saw this pretty wreath on the way out.  Isn't she beautiful? She is loving preschool and I'm so glad we've got her in it this year.

Usually Spencer and I walk around Temple Square to see the lights and watch some of the free concerts going on.  It's fun to have our anniversary during the holidays because there is always something fun going on.  This year, we decided to wait and take the kids.  

We hopped on TRAX (it's right by our house now!) and rode downtown.  

The kids loved the lights.  Sammy kept pointing out the different colors he saw on the trees.  They also liked finding the different animals and nativity characters throughout the grounds.  We stopped in at the Assembly Hall and listened to some high school choirs sing.  Lucy loved that and sang along quietly with a couple of the songs.  She loves to sing.  

Every year, Spencer and I have gotten our picture in front of the temple, where we were married.  This year's is a bit blurry. Oh, well!  

We had never been down to see the City Creek Center and we took the opportunity to check it out a bit.  What a cool place!  We stopped for some hot chocolate (it was so cold that night!), and checked out the candy window displays.

Sammy loved this one.  Why? It had a train!  We will definitely be doing this more with our kids now that they are old enough to enjoy it!