Christmas

Christmas seems to be the best time of year. I suppose that is why the song goes "it's the most wonderful time of the year." You don't go making such a blanket statement if it is not true. 

Truthfully, I have been in a little bit of a Christmas coma. I snapped out of it, though, and I am hoping to catch up on all things Unguren related. 

The night before Christmas the kids got to open up their PJ's from Grandpa and Grandma Miller. It isn't a surprise to them, that they are pajamas.

But, they always get excited none the less.

Canon's pj's were Angry Birds and they said "this is my angry face" across the bottom....it couldn't be more false.

Ask for them to smile and this is what you get.

Ask them for a silly face and all of the sudden you have their undivided attention.

We thought it would be fun for our kids to act out the Christmas story from the bible. They used the nativity to move the people into place when I would read about them. 

I think Canon was all hopped up on night before Christmas juice because he was acting crazy. He broke off Mary's hand and then, when I was trying to read the Night Before Christmas we ended early because Canon started to read a book aloud and then was doing the one person wheelbarrow across the floor.

On the way to bed Laney asked if there really was a naughty list that Santa looked at? When we told her that there was Gavin promptly said "I am on the nice list." Then Canon asked is there was a "kind-of" list? 

I am sure he was hoping that if you make it onto the "kind-of" good list then maybe you still get a few presents. 

Lucky for him, Santa was feeling lenient this year.

Giving a "kind-of" kid a "kind-of" weapon....

We were really using our smarts.

The new kitty, from Santa, was well received. 

Although, Laney did say "Look, it's a kitty in our house. I did ask for a dog though...."

They haven't stopped mauling him yet.

When we did our yearly present buying spree at the dollar store, Penny picked out this hat for Blake.

The moment she saw it she said "I get this for Dad."

Which ended up being great. 

This was the first year that Blake and I didn't buy anything for each other. So, I am glad that Penny could bring home such a gem.

It has provided endless entertainment....

in the kitchen,

at the breakfast table,

and even in torturing the new kitty, Mozzy.

other christmas

The Majority of December

I have a lot to catch up on. Let's get right into it...shall we?

One of the advent days was going down to Temple Square to look at the lights. 

Last year when we went it was bitter cold! This year we were hopeful that it wouldn't be too cold for us. Our hopes were crushed by a snow storm on the night that we planned to go. 

We bundled the kids up in their snow gear and they seemed to do well. I probably could have used a few more layers, and was cold by the end of the night, but live and learn I guess.

Most people take their family pictures by the lights around Temple Square...we like to take ours at the Trax station. 

Blake said the lighting was fun. I will believe him.

Rest assured, this is Penny's fun face.

The Trax station may have met its match in Temple Square.

The kids loved the lights and the snow gave it a cool ambience. 

But if you asked them, I am sure they would say that they were in it for the hot chocolate.

Penny even had fun. 

See. Fun face.

The halls at our house were decked at the beginning of the month.

Canon for some odd reason was insistent that he put the star at the top of the tree.

The kid's tree downstairs is normally a free for all. 

The OCD in me needs it to be that way. They have their tree, I have mine.

Laney requested that the upstairs tree be "Golden and green." 

Golden and green it was.

 This was the first year in awhile that we have not bought a new Rudolph figurine.

But, Laney randomly came home from school one day with this old paper cut out reindeer and it seemed to fill the void.

In the middle of December we went to Vegas for a quick weekend. 

Blake's sister and brother were both blessing their babies.

Since we were going to see Grandma Dana before Christmas we let the kids pick out presents for her at the dollar store.

Penny gave her some kettle corn.

Canon gave her the thoughtful gift of....paperclips.

They were well received.

Laney picked out nail polish and Gavin gave her a gigantic magnet.

Let me stop here for a minute and explain Penny.

She is a hard sell.

She doesn't like anyone. She is insistent that she "does not love Santa."

And...If a girl doesn't love Santa, there is a good chance that you won't make the cut either.

There was a lot of trying from the Vegas family to try to break her.

It didn't work. 

Although she did crack a little.

We went to an outdoor museum while we were there.

You can tell that Canon and Laney are both Vegas babies.

A light jacket and skirt is right up Laney's alley,

and I have been trying to convince Canon (to no avail) that shorts are not acceptable in the winter..in the snow...in Utah.

But then, we are in Vegas and he wears pants.

Go figure.

If you ever want to take a picture of kids all together...

Good luck.

This is what you get:

Independently? Good.

Vegas was short and sweet and to the point. 

Just like Penny.

And I think she is swell.