**Christmas time 2011**

The week leading up to Christmas I wanted to do something each night that focused on Christ and the real meaning of Christmas. I feel like it's so hard on the actual days of Christmas Eve and Christmas day to focus on that with all the excitement going on. I don't have pictures of each of the activities because I forgot my camera on some of them, but we all had a lot of fun throughout the week. On Monday we went to the Temple and got out and walked around and looked at the lights and nativity. Tuesday we took the kids to Walmart and had them each pick out a toy to give to Toys For Tots. Wednesday we acted out the nativity. Thursday night we watched the Nativity DVD and made these Nativity scenes out of craft sticks. Last, but not least we went to Tuachan to watch the live Nativity. I really want to remember to do this next year because I think we were all reminded about the real meaning of Christmas.

Here we are at Tuachan...





Here they are with their finished Nativities:




Here are some of the silly things Fred our elf did while he was here:
He was apparently bored one night so he got out the crayon and started coloring.


He also went on a hot date with Barbie!


Just cause she's so cute....



Each Christmas seems to be the best of all! This year was so much fun. Christmas Eve we went to the annual Cram family Christmas Eve get together where we eat and exchange gifts. It was a great time. We got a gift card to have our family pictures done by our cousin (which is just SO awesome!) Ashtyn got a princess coloring set, Camden and Collin got some pirate stuff and a sword, and Adisyn got some blankets and bracelets. We left to go home around 8 o'clock. Our kids went to bed surprisingly easy. Santa taped crepe paper back and forth across their bedroom doorways so they had to bust through the paper to come out and see their presents. (Thank You pinterest for that super cute idea!) The kids thought it was pretty funny. Ashtyn got a new bike, a doll to do her hair, make-up,MORE coloring/sticker stuff (we now have about a YEAR supply of stickers, markers, etc),slippers,sleeping bad, a lite-brite (from Grandpa O), purse (from g&g Cram) and lip gloss. Camden got a leapster with games, basketball hoop (that goes over a door) soccer goal/ball(from Grandpa O), pillow pet (from G&G Cram), slippers,and a sleeping bag. Collin got some Mr. Potato heads, blocks, Mickey Mouse, and a tractor from G & G Cram. Adisyn got some Binkies. I made Chris a San Francisco Giants blankets and he got some pants, jacket and shirt. I got my IPOD NANO (which is gonna make me skinny, right?) I wanted it to work out with, so we'll see! It has a pedometer and a lot of cool features though!

Our Christmas Tree before all the chaos...



Camden opened these boxer briefs and said "Look, I got garmets!" Ha!











Collin hauled Mickey and his candy around all morning!


Addie watching the excitement...



We sure had a great Christmas. It was so fun to have Grandma and Grandpa and Kaden be able to come and visit,too. We were all spoiled rotten and are so grateful for the wonderful year we've had! Here's to a great year in 2012!