Sunday's Christmas Best

I vowed to get pictures of the kids all dressed up before church.  I cannot tell you how many times I think I'll catch them after church and it never happens.  They are less cooperative after church.  Our bedroom wall serves as the best backdrop.  I love dressing my girls up in matching dresses.  It's getting increasingly difficult with the sizes we have to span, so online shopping from China produced these dresses.

I wanted a family picture, but knew my arm wasn't long enough for a family selfie.  We grabbed Michalyn Jolley in the hall at church and had her snap this of us.  I'm so glad we did, even though I felt a little silly.

Cooking Up Some Christmas

Ruby added a new twist to watching cookies bake when she started doing push ups.  I turned the oven light on for her and before I knew it, she was down on her hands and feet.  And then of course, Delsie had to get in on the action.

It wouldn't be Christmas without spending some time in the kitchen together, making some of our favorite treats.  When the kids are dressed the part, they become such good helpers.  This year I had each child in charge of one of the treats.  Dalanie helped me measure out ingredients and grease the pan for peanut brittle.  We made 6 batches of peanut brittle throughout the season.  It's my favorite Christmas candy.

 Ruby let everyone help her dip pretzels and sprinkle them with crushed peppermint.

 Some gingerbread came to life.

 Hudson decided to make the peanut butter cups into squares.  They were a hit and the first thing gone.  I think it has to do with the small pan size.

 Dalanie headed up the almond joy crew.  It's a simple recipe using butter, marshmallows, and coconut for the centers.  Instead of dipping them, we just piped chocolate over the tops.  It was quick and clean and absolutely scrumptious.

 Primary teachers, employees, and a few special neighbors got a box of our treats.

I like to reminisce about my days in the candy shop when we're cooking ups sweets.  Although to really get the feel, we should make some fudge.  To be honest, I haven't made fudge since leaving the candy shop.

Christmas Recital

Now that the kids are taking music and piano lessons, I wanted to give them an opportunity to share their talents.  JeraLin was also interested, so we joined forces to put on a Christmas recital.  Dalanie helped me cut the invitations and label them.

Next we decided to hand deliver them.  It was fun for me to sit in the car and watch the kids go up and into homes that they have frequented over the years.  They know the homes you just knock and walk in and ones you wait for the dog to be tied up before going in.  

 How blessed we are to have so many elderly to visit.

We planned it for a Friday afternoon, knowing we would be cutting it close to get the older girls home from gym in time.  Charlotte agreed to bring them home, but nearly made Dalanie and LinLee miss it by running her errands.  Other than that, it was a great event.  Not many people from the ward made it out, but it was a wonderful opportunity for kids to play in front of a crowd.
We also did a little nativity and had most of the younger girls sing and play their bells.

JeraLin put together a beautiful little program.  I was glad she was helping me because it's "her thing."

Joy to the World:  Trent Telford
'Twas the month before Christmas and all through the town,
All the shoppers were busy and bustling around.
Lights were hung and bells were ringing,
Children were filled with excitement and singing.
Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree:  Hudson Hillman
Jingle Bells:  Dalanie Hillman
Each child made up their own Christmas list
Hoping that not a present was missed.
Jolly Old St. Nicholas:  Abbie Larsen
Jingle Bells:  Kutter Arbon
As Christmas Day began to draw near,
Our busy schedule was too much to bear.
In the chaos of shopping for presents to find,
The Spirit of Christmas was left far behind.
We knew we needed to change our ways
For Christ is the reason for this holiday.
Silent Night:  Ava Newman
Hark, the Herald Angels Sing:  Sage Morris
Away in a Manger:  Linlee Telford
The Christ child was born in a stable bare.
Shepherds and Wisemen gathered there.
Gold and myrrh they brought for the babe.
They followed the star that led the way
The First Noel:  Sage Morris
Nativity (Joyschool Narration)
In a Little Stable:  Dalanie, Ruby, Abbie, Sage, Willow, Ava, Emma, Linlee, and Sadie
Away in a Manger:  Hudson Hillman
Silent Night:  Tyler Telford
God send His Son from Heaven Above
In hopes that we might be filled with his love.
He Sent His Son:  Trent Telford
Let's all remember this Christmas season
To be giving and loving, for Christ is the reason.
Oh Come, All Ye Faithful:  JeraLin Telford
Silent Night:  Abby Shiess 

Frozen Fifth Birthday

In the weeks leading up to Ruby's birthday, she would come up and crawl into bed with me so we could "talk about her birthday."  She wanted nothing other than a Frozen themed party.  One day I noticed the frozen water feature in Idaho Falls and knew it would be the perfect backdrop for Elsa.  We had a cold spell, but things started warming up and I knew we needed to act quickly before our opportunity melted away.  We borrowed Sadie's Elsa dress and had a lot of fun.  It was windy and rainy, but we persevered and got some fun shots.

And since we were already in Idaho Falls, I decided that it would be the perfect chance to spend some one on one time with Ruby.  Sometimes she gets pushed to the side in order to satisfy the needs of my more demanding daughter.  We got some gourmet cupcakes at Love At First Bite, checked out the mini-bazaar, perused the toy store, and ate at Chick-Fil-A.

It must have been exciting and tiring because she fell asleep on the way home.

We celebrated with Grandma/Pa Parish and the Stephens on Saturday. . . 

With the Hillman clan on Sunday. . .

Cinnamon rolls from Hard Times on Monday (her actual birthday). . .

And then again with her friends on Wednesday.

We had the girls come dressed up.  We put on pairs of socks and ice-skated around the kitchen to the Frozen soundtrack.  There was a fair amount of drama and pouting on Ruby's part.  I guess after dreaming of her party for months, she had a good idea of how things should play out.  So when everyone didn't cooperate, she got upset.  Birthday-zilla.  

I talked Ruby into being Anna (in large part because all of the Elsa dresses that were on sale were sold out.)  I think Anna is the prettier of the two sisters anyway.

Pin the nose on Olaf.

She was pretty jazzed with the cupcakes that I whipped up.  

I sure love this girl.

She loves to make drawings and crafts for others.  She is a peacemaker, always compromising to keep the peace.  She is stingy with her kisses, especially to her dad.  She is our family sleepy-head.  It's fun to watch her improve in gymnastics and music.  She is working on learning to read and getting bigger muscles.  She loves to flex and show them off.  She is Delsie's hero!

beYOUtiful

I took advantage of the gorgeous day and had the girls come outside for some pictures.  Delsie and Ruby had coordinating birthday outfits, but Dalanie didn't want left out.  The pictures pretty much some up these girls.

Much To Be Thankful For

Dalanie went to school dressed as and indian for their Thanksgiving feast.  She recently lost her 2nd top front tooth and her grin couldn't be more adorable.

On the morning of Thanksgiving, the kids woke with a serious case of the grumpies.  They were upset about this and mad about that.  It was pretty apparent that they weren't feeling grateful for much.  It didn't take me long to decide that I would take them outside and have them do a little work.

The weather was very mild and we still had a bunch of leaves that needed raked and hauled off.  They got busy and before long they were having fun and even getting along!  We didn't get all of the leaves raked before it was time to go inside and make our house ready for the guests.

We all went in with a much better attitude and had a touch more gratitude for all that we have.  Upon completion of our job Dalanie commented, "that looks so much better!"  It's great to have a sense of accomplishment.  If idleness is the devil's workshop then hard work and productivity must be God's workshop.

Since Grandma Hillman was celebrating her birthday, we decided to host Thanksgiving.  And although she might not have had to do dishes, she did most of the cooking.  You just never can get ahead with this lady.

We all enjoyed Grandma's gift exchange tradition.  The sock monkey was the ticket for the grandkids.  It must have changed hands 10 times.

After the gift exchange we decorated gingerbread houses.

Jake and Dalanie tormented Uncle Roger.  I told them my story from growing up when I kept pestering my Uncle Bret and ended up with my underwear around my head.  I did it as a voice of warning, but they just laughed. . . maybe next year.