Christmas hi-lights

 Christmas Eve is my absolute favorite day, hands down.  

We had some great families over this year and I don't know how we're going to top it next year.  But every year it seems like the greatest group.

We didn't get any photos of the program but that went over famously also.  This year we switched it up and had the kids re-enact the Book of Mormon Christmas story.  At the end Paul and I  had prepared a little surprise with the nativity in shadow puppets.  (see below for our family talent)

 After everyone left we cleaned up a bit and opened our family homemade gifts (another favorite).  Everyone was very thoughtful this year.  

I don't know where the "mooning" was learned but it made us laugh.  Of course if Gib tried it it would've ended a whole different way.

 A little Christmas magic Christmas morning.

 Favorite photo of the season.  I love the gun down the underwear.

 Annual Christmas Talent Show at the Pepper's this year.  

 Ruby sang a cute song about buying everyone sweaters and teaching them how to dance.

 Charlie prepared his own Christmas medley on the piano.  Six months with piano lessons and he's rockin' it.  I'm not kidding.  He's a natural.

 A glimpse of our shadow puppet show.  Ty decided to throw a light bulb right at the end of our performance so instead of an applause we got gasps.  Love that kid.  

After trying our spooners on some grass hills we came home and didn't want the night to end.  We just stayed up and sang on our new karaoke system (notice that it's not a "machine" - it's a system and I'm a genius) and played laser tag.

 Didn't clean, didn't make the kids go to bed, didn't care a  lick.  We just sang and sang and sang.  I appreciate professional singers - it's not so easy.  

And the day after Christmas brought even more delight.  I love the microphone stands.  I've got to tie a bandana around it - especially when we sing a little Def Leppard.  

Merriest Christmas!!

Is your family competitive?

Yeah, neither is mine

Just a friendly game of Christmas Kickball this last weekend. 

 (everyone was in town for a wedding).

 It all started with the team photos - I knew it was going to be intense.

Notice in photo below I'm in a mid eye roll.  

 A little rock/paper/scissors to determine which team goes first.  The Angry Birds won.  

 When did I start running like a mom?  

 I knew Nick was behind me and I was just running as fast as I could but bracing myself for the impact of the ball on my back . . . but still smiling, always smiling.

 Ahhh,  there's the impact of the ball on the back.  Sorry Spinny!

 These poor kids are surrounded by crazy aunts and uncles.  

 Unfortunately he missed it and so did Charlie.  

 Did I mention it got kind of competitive?  Charlie doesn't like to lose.

 What grace... what finesse...she even looks put together when she's playing kickball.

 Papa taking the littles on a ride.  This was before we loaded way too many kids on the cart and let it get out of control and had some injuries.  

 As I mentioned earlier, Charlie does not like to lose and is learning how to control his emotions.  Had to have a little discussion with his pops on developing this skill.  When Gib asked him later what his dad said he said, "I don't remember."

Great time with the fam.  The reality is is that we didn't even keep score so we're all winners just for  participating.  

Always love having my family around.  I think next time we'll have an intense game of dodge ball.  

St. George Temple

For those of you who are on the edge of their seats to see Ruby's photos of the St. George temple, this post is for you.

Also, Gib has decided he wants to photograph the Hawaii Temple.  Stinker.  Now we've got to plan a trip to Hawaii.  It's the kind of parents that we are.

photos of the mesa temple

Paul and I have decided to follow the advice of Pres. Hinkley and try to have a photo of the temple in every bedroom of our home.  I thought it would be fun to let our kids choose the temple they wanted and then let them photograph that temple.  Why not?  I've got the tools and the know how.

Eli chose the Mesa Temple.  He took a lot of pictures of the ground and the very lower parts of the building.  We got a lot of comments as my little five year old was taking pictures of the temple with a Canon 5D and a rockin' huge lens.  The reality is that no matter how great a camera is a great picture does require some skill from the photographer.  A few times I would grab the camera from him and take a couple a long the way.  These are some that I came up with.  What's your vote?  I can't decide which one I like.  Eli has already picked the one he likes and that one will go in his room.  Stay tuned for the St. George temple, that was Ruby's choice and she actually took some really cool photos.  I think I might have to start a wall of temples in our home.  That would be cool and very spiritual.