Getting into the Christmas spirit

I am really excited for Christmas this year. I'm not sure why, but I feel more relaxed this year. Maybe online shopping has helped with that. ;)

We started a new tradition this year and we are really enjoying it. I made an advent calendar with activities. You can see the details here. So far we have been able to do something together as a family every night but one. It has been so nice to just relax and be together. Tonight Spencer taught us all how to make 3-D snowflakes. They are beautiful. I was having so much fun that I forgot to take pictures. Ooops.

Last week we put up the Christmas tree and the boys slept under it that night.

We went to the ward Christmas party on Friday and they got to see Santa.

And Brandon, Spencer, and Tyler had their Christmas piano recital. (Wes and I of course enjoy this activity way more than they do.) They all did a great job though.


Brandon played "Were You There?"

Spencer played "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer":

Tyler played "Santa Claus is Coming to Town"

We had stake conference this weekend and it was wonderful and uplifting. Our stake president told a story that really touched me. He said when his kids were little his wife was struggling with having them pick up after themselves and keep the house clean. His 4 year old daughter was the worst offender. He said he planned a family home evening lesson about the importance of having a clean house. He talked about the temple and how it is always beautiful and clean, because it is a house of God. He talked about how our homes should be the same way, that they should be a place that Jesus would feel welcome. Then he said he looked right at the 4 year old and asked, "If Jesus came to our door right now, would he like it here?" He told us that her eyes got as big as saucers, and she exclaimed, "Oh yes daddy, he would love it here! We would sit on his lap and give him hugs and kisses. And if he was hungry we would give him something to eat."

Wow. Kids really have a way of teaching us, don't they. I need to try harder to focus on the spirit in our home, and not just the way it looks.


My boys' favorite part of conference was a story that Elder Gonzales from the Presidency of the 70 told. He said he had always loved singing, but didn't have a very good voice. He said a few years ago he was sitting next to the bishop during sacrament meeting and of course singing all the songs. At the end of the meeting, the bishop turned to him and told him he would like him to sing at his funeral. He was kind of surprised, and asked the bishop if he was having health problems. The bishop replied, "No, I'm fine. I just want you to sing at my funeral so that my wife will know there are some things worse than death."
It was a great meeting!! :)