Christmas 2016

December is always a flurry of activity, and this year was no exception. We tried to make it a fun and memorable Christmas for the boys since they were disappointed about not making the trip home to Montana this year. Brigham had been waiting for months for it to snow and we finally got some in the middle of December. He has a sixth sense for when it snows. He was awake by 6 am and ready to play in the snow. The snow didn't make it to Christmas though. Christmas Eve we went and viewed the live nativity our ward puts on every year. The boys and I also acted out the nativity while Jared read from the scriptures. Christmas morning the boys didn't wake up until 7 am (hooray!) and they had a great time discovering that their stuffed animals had come to life while Santa was at our house. Then we had them sit at the top of the stairs and wait for us to give them the signal because I wanted to record them (video to follow). They of course were excited about every gift and of course were spoiled. We had to stop halfway through the unwrapping to go to church for a special musical program which I sang in. After church the missionaries came over for lunch and skyped their families. Then later we had some fun playing Minute-to-win-it games holiday version with some friends. 

Benson playing in the snow storm called Helena. Everything shuts down around here when there is a big snow storm. People think we are crazy.

Helping Dad shovel our driveway

Did someone say sugar cookies???

Brigham really got into Santa this year and sent several letters to him. This one says Dear Santa, Welcome to our house. 

Sweethearts hanging out in the tree together.

Brigham was very excited for his primary to sing in sacrament meeting the Sunday before Christmas. He even invited our neighbors Larry and Ann Marie to come hear him sing. On the way to church however, he told me his stomach hurt and he threw up as I was helping him out of the car. He was devastated and mad that we had to go home. 

We spend a lot of time with the missionaries since Jared is the ward mission leader. Here are Elder Duggar's and Elder Sprahn's mini me's. 

This one says thank you for coming to our house. Enjoy these cookies. He is always grateful.

Santa hard at work Christmas Eve.

Paw Patrol sleeping bags!!

It is impossible to get a good picture of these two monkeys.

We went to the zoo over Christmas break and Brig made a friend with the African crane. The crane would move his head with Brigham's.