Christmas Eve

Because he works in retail, Adam ALWAYS has to work Christmas Eve day.  It stinks, but it's a busy time of year at his store (especially this year, yay!), so you gotta do what you gotta do.  That night we went to my parent's house for dinner.  I should've taken some pictures of our food: ribs, lobster tail, and king crab legs! What a feast!
Later that night we opened our new pajamas (the kids had matching Mickey Mouse flannel jammies).  Then we headed back to our house where we read the Night Before Christmas and left some cookies, milk, and carrots out for Santa and the reindeer.  The boys had picked out presents for everyone at the Dollar Store, so we opened those that night.  They were sooooo excited to see us open what they'd picked out, it was really cute. 
The kids could hardly fall asleep because they were so excited.  Poor Kylee had been having tummy troubles for a few days and it got even worse Christmas eve.  She woke up at midnight and threw up all over.  Fun Christmas Eve for Santa's helper who got to clean it all up...

Austin was in a silly mood and kept doing this funny pose.

Ethan and Austin think "Siri" on the iPhone4 is the funniest thing that has ever happened.  They could sit for hours asking it ridiciulous questions.  Here are Uncle Ryan and Ethan talking to her.

Santa has come!

Temple Square Lights

The week before Christmas we did our annual tradition of staying in Salt Lake for the night.  We pack up our stuff and go out to eat and see the Lights at Temple Square, then stay in a hotel.  This year we had a few challenges to pull it off, but it ended up being a lot of fun.  We ate dinner at the Little America restaurant and then spent time walking through Temple Square, the Tabernacle, and the Visitors Center.  The lights were amazing as always.  The next morning we ate a nutritious McDonalds breakfast, and then headed to Fashion Place mall to visit Santa and to get Adam a new iPhone. 

I had to include this picture too, even though it's almost the same as the first.  I just love how annoyed Austin looks.  The kids hate taking pictures, and they were freezing and ready to get to the car.

Nativity

At the annual Winn family Christmas party this year, we did a nativity with the grandkids instead of having Santa visit.  I'll admit, I missed the Santa tradition, but I really did like the nativity too.  Maybe next year we could do both? Ethan was Joseph and Ellie was Mary, and Ellie's baby brother was Jesus. Austin was a shepherd who reufsed to wear his costume (waaaaayyyy to embarrassing for that kid), and Kylee was the star, but she lay on the floor and had a tantrum because she didn't like her costume.

Christmas Sing

Every year Ethan's elementary school does the School Sing.  All the grades prepare 2 songs and sing them for all the parents.  I am always impressed at how well all the kids know every word to the songs and how loudly they sing and how they remember all the hand motions.  It's always INSANE trying to get a decent seat and they pack everyone in the cafeteria like sardines, but it's still fun. 
I can't believe Ethan is in second grade already, wow.

Riverwoods Christmas

The Riverwoods in Provo has some of the most beautiful lights in the area.  Plus they have fun stuff to do, an amazing toy store, live entertainment, good food, a really good Santa to visit, and free carriage rides.  We spent some time playing at Provo Beach Resort first, then went outside to see Santa and look in the toy store. Austin was so nervous to see Santa. I convinced him to just stand by Santa and tell him what he wanted, instead of sitting in his lap. When we got up there Ethan jumped onto Santa's lap and started talking. I pushed Austin towards Santa and when he got close Santa grabbed him and pulled him onto his lap. Austin looked surprised, but he LOVED Santa. As we walked away, Austin couldn't stop grinning and saying, "Mommy, he was so nice! I sat on his lap! I think that's the real Santa! I like Santa!" It was adorable, just like everything else that boy does. Kylee HATED Santa, of course.

I Love Real Trees

We always get a real tree for Christmas at our house. NOTHING beats the smell or look of a real tree, plus, it's so fun to pick one out. It's one of my favorite Christmas traditions. Adam used to fight me every year about getting a real tree, but he's realized it's pointless (plus, I think maybe he might secretly like it too??). We went to the same tree lot in American Fork that we went to last year. On the way there, Kylee fell asleep (no nap that day), so Adam stayed with her in the car while the boys and I picked out the tree. I think it was the very fastest we've ever picked out a tree; Adam couldn't believe it when I came back to the car and told him we were done.

I love Christmas ornaments that have meaning to our family.  I want our tree to be pretty and have a theme of some sort, but more importantly, I want the ornaments to bring back fond memories of vacations, babies, happy times, etc.