Christmas Eve

The long awaited day, Christmas Eve, finally arrived.  We had a pancake breakfast together.  During the day, we made neighborhood goodies and delivered them together.  We realized this was an awesome Christmas Eve activity because it got us thinking about others instead of ourselves.  We also went to the church gym and played around (Cini even came with us).  As we were taking goodies around, the McIntyres invited us to attend their Christmas mass with them.  We didn't have anything planned, so we decided to go with them.  It was so nice of them to invite us and so interesting to see where they worshipped.  Their kids had some parts and that was really fun to see them perform.  We also loved to hear all of the music.  Then we came home and had our delicious dinner of lasagna, rolls, pineapple, and broccoli.

That evening, the kids performed the nativity as Dad read it out of the bible.

Scott (shepherd), Logan (sheep), Kate (Mary), Ty (Joseph) 

(Austin was a wise man and was not pictured)

Austin read us the story the Christmas Train.  This is a story about a Christmas when President Monson was just a boy.  It is a story about sharing and what Christmas is about and we love it!

Then everyone got to open a present--matching pajamas!  Dad was the most excited!

Kate, Mom, Dad and Logan, Ty, Scott, Austin

We also got a family gift of an 875 piece Harry Potter 3d puzzle

(this was actually a bit earlier in the day) 

Santa Claus then came to our house for a surprise visit and brought us some candy canes and a special ornament.  As soon as Santa showed up, Logan locked himself in his room and refused to come out.  Santa was a little too scary.

Scott and Santa

At the church earlier in the day (this is Austin sitting )

Touched

After the Christmas church sacrament meeting, mom asked everyone, "What touched you today in sacrament meeting?"

"The songs"

"The talk about...."

After everyone responded, Logan said, "I didn't get touched."


Logan and Ty were talking about girlfriends.  Logan asked Ty if he had a girlfriend.  While Ty was thinking about this, Logan asked, "Is it Johnson Cena?"

Skiing

We all got to go skiing together on December 21st (except for Logan who got to stay with Grandma and Grandpa Lewis)

Here are Kate, Austin, and Scott at the top of Snake Creek overlooking the Salt Lake Valley

Kate, Scott, and Ty on the lift together

Random person, Scott, Mom, and Ty on the lift

We had a really great day skiing!  Ty did awesome and really came a long way.  The three older kids could ski anywhere on the mountain.  It was a fun way to start off Christmas break.

Arrow of Light

The Boy Scouts and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints ended their partnership at the end of 2019.  Because of this, Austin and Scott wanted to receive their Arrows of Light by the end.  And they did!  They worked on it throughout the summer by putting up a tent by themselves (and sleeping in it) as well as a variety of other activities.

Austin especially took initiative to make sure he received his.  He worked hard and pestered Mom because he really wanted his Arrow of Light. 

Scott also worked hard (but maybe the persistence was going in the other direction)

Austin and Scott crossing over the bridge

Ty and Logan playing this stick game.

We are sure proud of both Austin and Scott for the hard work and dedication they put into the scouting program, nice job!

Christmas Concerts and Christmas Parties

The Christmas concerts were a lot of fun this year.

Ty performed a big Christmas concert with the entire first grade.  They sang probably 8 - 15 songs.  They were so cute and did such a great job.  They did two performances, one at 9 am and one at 1 pm.  We came to the 1 pm one and I'm pretty sure Ty was exhausted.  It brought out his inner teenager as you can see from his facial expressions.

A few days later, Mom and Logan got to go to Ty's class and help with the Christmas party.

They got to decorate cookies and play some games, it was a fun party!

Scott also had a Christmas concert.  They sang Jingle Bell Rock and Go Tell it on the Mountain.  They did such a solid good job.  The singing was beautiful!

They even did a verse of Jingle Bell Rock with kazoos, it was so cute!

Lewis Men

We went to the Lewis family Christmas party.  We had the most amazing food, great piano numbers by many of the kids, a game where you might get a thimble of water thrown out you, and at the end the night--some excellent entertainment:

This quintet favored us with a whistling harmony of a few songs.

We had a very fun night!

A Visit With Santa Claus

Santa Claus came to our ward Christmas party this year.  He was so kind to each child.

Here is Scott 

Austin also sat on Santa's lap, but Mom didn't get there in time to get a picture.