Countdown to Christmas: Day 16

We had a preschool Christmas party today with almost all the class. We were missing two boys. The kids got to decorate sugar cookies, make an ornament, sing Jingle Bells, play Christmas bingo, listen to the Christmas story and place the nativity pieces where they go, and exchange gifts. It was fun to watch the kids so excited! Caden loved the super heroes games he got: go heroes (like go fish), bingo and a puzzle. We have already played all 3 of them. His friend was jumping up and down because he loved what Caden gave to him. It was very fun!

Coundtown to Christmas: Day 15

Today was extra special, because we got to use a family recipe that I got from my mom. We made sugar cookies! I love the smell and taste of the cookie dough because it brings back many happy memories from when I was growing up. I am happy to now pass it on to Caden and our family. We had two friends over, so they got to help us cut out all the cookies. We ended up with a few hearts and bunny rabbits, in addition to the Christmas shaped cookies. They just wanted to use all the cookie cutters! :)

Countdown to Christmas: Day 14

Today we went caroling with the youth of the church. Russ works with the Young Men and I am with the Young Women, so Caden is the honorary member. They all love him and he loves the attention he gets. He was very excited about caroling and kept telling Dad that he needed to say "Merry Christmas" after everyone sang. What a fun night!

Countdown to Christmas: Day 13

Tonight for Family Home Evening, we watched the Living Scriptures DVD about when our Savior was born. It was fun to see Joseph and Mary with the personalities that they had in this movie. I always get a special feeling when I watch renditions of that first Christmas night. What a huge blessing it was to the whole world (and to each of us individually)!

Countdown to Christmas: Day 12

Today we wrote a thank you card to Caden's Primary teacher and took it over to her house with some treats. We also took treats to our friend's house because their daughter sang a solo in the talent show on Saturday. While we were there, my friend and I schemed up a big plan and after talking to my in-laws we are able to do it! We will let you in on the surprise in a few days! We are SO excited!!

Countdown to Christmas: Day 11

Today we had a day filled of activities! One of the highlights was being able to talk to Kylee's parents for the first time after their mission to South Africa! They had an awesome time down there and love the people so much. They are driving around to visit all their kids and we can't wait until they come here in January!!

After doing some service for a family we know, we got dressed up for our ward (congregation) talent show. We had a nice dinner followed by a talent show. Caden got up with all the primary kids to sing an adorable song called "Could I hold the baby". He walked right up in front (way in front of the other kids) and waved proudly to us many times. He eventually went back with the other kids, but we were laughing so hard. He is a fun little kid!
After the ward party, we drove the babysitter to our house and got dressed up in formal wear for Russ's work party at Invesco Field. They gave tours of the stadium and we got to go in the press conference room, the visitor's locker room and ON THE FIELD!! It was so sweet! Our friend took a pic for us, so when we get it, we will put it on here! It was fun to talk with many of Russ's co-workers and get dressed up for a fun date with Russ!
Our babysitter took this pic for us before we left.

Countdown to Christmas: Day 10

Today, we had a special activity with FSA (Families Supporting Adoption). Russ and I started planning activities for FSA play group, and we now have them once a month. For the month of December, we went to a local candy factory and went on a tour to see how they make their candy. It was a very fun experience, and a sweet one too! :) Caden loved being with his friends and seeing all the candy being made.
I love their eyes in this picture! They were watching chocolate on a conveyer belt. Fascinating!
We even brought a hat and candy home for Daddy. We definitely want to take him there next time!

Countdown to Christmas: Day 9

In order to help Caden really understand the real reason for Christmas, we had a special activity today. We tried to draw the nativity. Caden quickly ran around the house, collecting all the nativities that we have to help him draw his picture. It helped him to remember all the different people involved, as well as try to imagine what it was like. I was surprised, because it was even helpful for me! I loved thinking about how I wanted to draw Mary and Joseph close to each other, because that is how I think it might have been. I will have to scan in our drawings later, because it is cute to see what Caden came up with. He did a great job! I want to continue this tradition every year as well now. It was awesome.

Countdown to Christmas: Day 8

Today we had an extra fun thing to do. For the second year in a row (or maybe more, I can't remember), we have invited over a few of Caden's friends to make graham cracker houses. We decided to continue the tradition today! Caden was SO excited when I told him on Sunday he could choose a few friends to come over for graham cracker houses, that he couldn't wait until the end of sacrament meeting. Next time, I will tell him a little later to have a more reverent time. However, it was really cute to see him so excited.
I never took a picture of his finished graham cracker house, but it was awesome! :)

Countdown to Christmas: Day 7

Today we got to make Christmas crafts! At our neighborhood Christmas party, they had all sorts of fun crafts. However, the bounce houses won Caden's attention more and he only got to do one craft. So, I picked up the kits and saved them for today. Caden had a blast making a jingle bell necklace and a few ornaments. He wore his jingle bell necklace to mutual tonight and showed it to all the young men and young women. What a happy boy!

Countdown to Christmas: Day 6

Today we got to do two fun things. We went to the library for a Special Visit with Santa! He was a great Santa! He let the kids ask questions, recited "Twas the night before Christmas" by memory, sang songs and then got to talk to each kid one at a time. We were babysitting for my friend's son, so we had twice as much fun!
Later that night, we went over to our close friend's house for a movie night. We watched "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" and ate snacks. They have two girls and one boy, and Caden just LOVES them. It was fun to be with good friends, eat good treats and watch the movie in our PJs. Classic!

Countdown to Christmas: Day 5

Today we get a special treat. Caden is just about to open the present of the day. He is SO excited! We are going to watch the First Presidency Christmas Devotional. It is a great chance to hear from the prophet and the leaders of the church talk about the true meaning of Christmas, not to mention hear wonderful Christmas music!

Tune in - 6 PM on BYUTV!

Merry Christmas to all!

Countdown to Christmas: Day 4

Today was a special day, because we had TWO fun things to do today!

1. We went to the FSA party. We were able to talk with many other friends whose lives are touched by adoption. We also made a keepsake ornament for the kids to give to their birth moms. It was an ornament with their handprint on it. Very sweet. We hope to make one for a birth mom next year! We also ate delicious food, made graham cracker houses and got family pictures taken.

We also got to take some leftover food home from the party, so we invited some of our friends/neighbors over for dinner before we did #2 together. What a fun day!

2. We went to our neighborhood Holiday party. We went on a horse-drawn carriage ride, had hot chocolate, Caden got to see/talk to Santa Claus, jump in bounce houses and make crafts. It was a very fun night. Caden especially loved the carriage ride and (of course) talking to Santa.(this is all of us cuddled up to stay warm on the carriage ride!)

Countdown to Christmas: Day 3

On Dec. 3rd, we got to open the daily present with Daddy. It seemed like a REALLY long time to wait until Daddy got home. Poor Caden kept asking multiple times all day long to open it. It was worth the wait. We cuddled up on the couch today to watch the Parade of Lights on TV. It was fun to see all the bands, floats, big balloons, etc. Not to mention that we got to see Santa at the end...always a highlight!

Countdown to Christmas: Day 2

Caden quickly caught onto the excitement of opening a present each day, and was very eager to open it on Dec. 2nd. (We actually do one each day, but I am a little behind in posting!)

Dec. 2 - We curled up on the couch and read a Christmas story (or two or three) from The Friend. Caden loves it when I read to him and he is learning how to read, as well. I love taking advantage of every moment to cuddle him in my arms and read to him. (I also kiss his head since it is so close to me!) :)

Countdown to Christmas: Day 1

At a Relief Society meeting two years ago, I heard the great idea of doing a family activity every day in December to countdown until Christmas. We started the tradition last year and were excited to carry it on again this year. Some of the activities are fun, some are service-based, others are spiritual in nature. Each day we read a scripture of the Christmas story, sing a hymn that Caden draws out of a tin, we move the advent calendar closer to Christmas and then Caden opens a present that says what we are going to do. Caden is excited all day long to open the presents!!

On Dec. 1st, we made a chain to count down the days until Christmas. I made these a lot growing up and it is fun to do it now with Caden. Of course we made a pattern with the paper. Caden was happy about that. :)