Christmas Caroling . . .

As part of our Christmas traditions, we will bake some treats, and then take them over to a few neighbors, presenting our snax as a family at each neighbor's doorstep while singing Christmas Carols. I'm not sure what's more fun - us actually baking and then caroling to our neighbors, or to see the look on their faces when they see all seven of us at the door and wondering . . . what the!!?? Here are a few photos of the baking of the treats (Stin even make Caramels!) and the look on Lola's face after we got back (it was a FRIGID night!!)

Santa Claus Wishing . . .

Luci, Kenz, Lola, and Patrick all had the opportunity to make their wishes known to Papa Noel . . .

Gingerbread Christmas Choo-choo train

Stin made sure we added many new wonderful Christmas traditions while Scott was away protecting the homeland . . . .this is one of them:

Han's Advent

Our most precious friends from the Belmont Ridge Ward -- the Han Family -- included us in one of their Christmas traditions -- The Advent. This included the 4 Sundays prior to Christmas Day. Each Sunday leading up to Christmas is focused on four themes: Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. Each included readings, hymns, stories, and lighting of a candle representing each of the four themes. Along with the previously mentioned activities, puppet shows were introduced which led to great amusement and mayhem! This new tradition added greatly to our present and hopefully future Christmas festivities . . . Love you Hans!

Luci's Spy-Theme Birthday Party

Luci celebrated her much anticipated 6th Birthday party with a Spy Theme and a few of her friends from school. Activities included fingerprinting, handcuffing (in anticipation of extraterritorial rendition), "Detect the Mole," Pizza feasting, obtaining Junior Special Agent credentials, defusing (or consuming, as the case may be) the Bomb (cake), special (black frosting) moustache disguise techniques, and a spy scavenger hunt, among other things (the rest is Classified!).

Virginia Chapter of the Cookie Lover's Club . . .

Nana Judy instigated a wonderful new tradition with the founding of the Cookie Lover's Club - a way for the generations to connect through the wonders of making, baking, and (of course) partaking of amazing cookie recipes. Luci was the recipient of this special intro package from Nana Judy to get the Virginia Chapter of the club established. Although, we all know that Tate and Kenz are the true mayordomo's of the club at this point!!! Yum, yum, yum!

The Lights on Temple Square . . .

Truly a highlight of our trip out West was our visit to The Lights on Temple Square, just a short walk from Margy/Ray's place. This little visit definitely got us all in the Christmas Spirit!! We even got a surprise visit from Nana Judy!

Thanksgiving with Grandma Margy and Grandpa Ray

We had such a great time with Grandma Margy and Grandpa Ray!