December so far

December is such a Magical Month!  We already celebrated Elle's Birthday,  and Chris' is tomorrow.

I love the lights, the snow, the decorations, etc... But I really love the family time.  

I love how even when we don't see family all the time, we usually make time to visit and spend time together at this time of year.  Everyone is more giving, and we all seem to want to help each other more this time of year.  It must be the spirit of Christ.  After all, it is HIS Birthday!

Last week, we went to the Festival of Trees.  

Again, it is ultimately a fund raiser for Primary Children's Medical Center.

We haven't been able to go for the past two years, and I have missed it.  This year, Chris' sister who is teaching dance again, took her students to dance at the Festival Thursday night.  So we were able to meet up with grandma Bump Bump, Chris' sisters Julie and Maurene, and some cousins and nieces for a fun night.  We walked through the trees and went down EVERY isle.  Oh, I was in heaven.  The tree's were beautiful.  Every kind of decoration imaginable.  We walked through the isles of quilts, and wreaths.  And even the Gingerbread Houses were amazing!!  

I took so many pictures.  And then we watched the dancers.  And, we were supposed to go eat with Chris' family afterward, but Elle would not leave without seeing Santa.  The line was so long, that we had to tell them to go without us.  I just felt like this was a good time for the girls to see Santa.  He did not disappoint.  And I got to take my own picture of the girls with Santa at no charge!  Bonus!

A bit sad that we missed eating out with the family though.  Guess we'll have to make some more plans to spend time with them again soon.

So here are just a few of my absolute favorites of the night!   

 My favorite I think.  Look at the old Television and toys!

Origami Birds, for Nicholas :)

And Chris' absolute favorite!  The tree was green and flocked only on the tips.  It was amazing.  There were lanterns lit with candles and the ornaments were made with burlap fabric.  It was just so amazing.  Wish I had gotten a closeup.  We might have to duplicate this someday :)

This was just cool.  The entire tree was made up of those plastic rings that hold pop cans together.  How they did this, I do not know.  Brilliant for what they wanted to achieve.

Tap Pros!

Santa!!  

I think we seriously waited almost an hour to see him.

And last night, we went to see the Layton City Christmas Lights.  

We've started our own little family tradition.  I think this is the 3rd year we've gone.

It's one of our favorite activities.  

Yeah, it's been extremely cold lately.  But the girls were bundled in their snow suits.  Even Ruby.

I think Ruby had on like 4 layers, including snow clothes!

  And they stayed toasty warm, as we were out walking around the lights.  I love that it's right here in our own little town of Layton.  Kind of our own thing.  

We are definitely enjoying December so far....