Merry Christmas..it's not too late!

I'm finally starting to wrap up December.  I have just a few more posts to go.  I just love all the celebrating that we do and I especially love celebrating Christmas Day because of the joy I feel as I see my little ones' faces light up.  They were as cute as ever.  The boys were awake first around 6 am.  However, we didn't realize that they were awake as they were given strict instructions to remain in the basement until we let them out.  I had my cell phone by my bed and told them to call me on it if it was past 7.  Oh, those poor boys.  How I remember experiencing the aniticipation and how long it seemed to take.  Curtis woke the girls at 7, so off we went!  It was pure delight.  They all came charging into the room and Evey seemed to know right where her stuff was.  She headed right to her "chicken" (kitchen).  The girls were screaming and the boys had some ooos, and ahhhs.  So fun!

Here they are hard at work!  We try to have them open a gift one at a time so that I can mentally note what they were given.  So, we managed alright.  These aren't the best pictures but they're all I've got :)

We were happy to have Grandma and Grandpa Hancock along for the ride.  Grandma got this snuggy (a blanket with arms and a pocket).  Wasn't she so kind to share!

The wonderful aftermath.  Mom's thinking, "where will it all go?"  I love Evey's expression here. 

Grandma and Grandpa treated us to a yummy Christmas breakfast of Eggo waffles, bacon, egg nog, and orange juice...mmmmm.  Thanks, we loved it!

Another Christmas to remember!  How can it not be so wonderful.  We really are blessed to be able to give to our children and to give them the knowledge of our Savior's birth.  Merry Christmas everyone!

Say CHEESE, it's Christmas EVE!

We spent Christmas Eve at Auntie Shellie and Uncle Allen's house.  Grandma and Grandpa Hancock, Auntie Brenda, Uncle Wayne, and Alyssa came down for the occassion.  Erin, Nate, and Rachael were there to celebrate as well.  Curtis was very camera happy on this "eve" of eve's and found great pleasure in snapping these random shots.  I know they are silly but I can't stop laughing when I see them because I was a witness to them all :)

hmmm. which setting is best? (Brenda and Wayne)

hey, I'll get you first (Laura)

when will they ever leave? (Shellie)

What did I do now? (Grandpa)

Will you grown boys settle down? (Grandma)

Yipee, we can't wait for Santa to come! (Shane and Curtis)

We can't hear ourselves sing, it's so loud in here!  (village people under the tree)

Christmas jammies please! (5 cute Hancock kiddies)

Yes, it's them!

Don't we look fabulous in our sleep wear?

We're so good at posing!

Santa, hurry!

Do ya think we had enough fun?

Christmas Adam 2

This is our practicing tradition for the 2nd year now.  On December 23rd, we celebrate "Adam" before the "Eve" and have fun under the tree reading books, playing games, having treats and opening sibling gifts.  Way fun!  Our little Evey didn't make it though.  She was dead tired and was sleeping soundly in her crib.

Sparkling cider anyone?!  As you can tell, this was Curtis' favorite part!

Christmas attire..ofcourse!

By now you all know of my obsession with matching clothes for a special occassion..so here you go.  I always have fun! Evey was NOT a happy camper..can you tell?  And Emery was not feeling well but was a good sport.

So this is take 2 on a different day.  There was a better mood in the air, thank goodness!

I was so happy to find 3 matching dresses for a very cheap price and then tights that were also on sale.  I sure lucked out for buying everything the day before.  He he :)

The hair accessories are a must.  Girls are the best!

Happy 37th Curt!

Here we are onto our 3rd December birthday.  What a fabulous party month.  There is never a dull moment!  Happy Birthday Curtis!  We had a yummy cheesecake with me, the kids and mom and dad Hancock!  It was funny when I was putting the candles on the cake.  We were talking about Dad Hancock's age of 73, so then that is the way I faced the candles.  Ofcourse I caught that quickly and turned them back to the proper age of 37.  Sorry Curt.  You still have a ways to go before then! 

Daddy loves Rudoloph the Red Nosed Reindeer so the kids had to get him a singing tie.

Special School Days

Emery was so excited to be the spotlight at school for her December birthday!  We had fun making a poster together about her and visiting her class and delivering treats to them.  I just loved pulling out baby pictures of Em.  She is one special girl and has such a sweet spirit!

Ella had the cutest Christmas program at her preschool.  Her teacher Miss Annette organized and put on this wonderful and sweet little show.  The kids were so excited and cute when they danced and sang their songs!  Here's little Ella in action.  Curtis got some good ones.  She is such a little performer!

What wonderful entertainment we were given this week!  It was fabulous!

O Little Town of Bethlehem

My children were very privileged this year to be a part of a real live nativity.  They were invited as a part of our ward to perform out at Staheli farm.  What a wonderful experience and one I hope they will always remember.

My little "angel" girls

And my good "shepherd" boys

The wonderful and talented Lyndsi who brought in the Christmas spirit so beautifully through song.

Here is Evey, wanting to be a shepherd herself!

I was grateful to picture the little town of Bethlehem once again and for witnessing the beautiful Christmas miracle of our Savior's birth.  Christmas is the best.

Snow and Songs!

Oh how we love the snow when it makes its appearance once, maybe twice a year.  This wonderful snow day happened on December 12th, a Saturday.  It was so welcomed by our children.  They had great fun running and playing in it's little layer.  By the late afternoon it was gone.  I'm glad they made the most of it!

Here we are caroling a few days later for Family night.  We delivered our neighbor gifts and had fun singing in the process.  One of our favorite carols to sing this time was "O Christmas Tree".  Caden sang it at his Christmas choir concert.. so we featured him as the soloist for the part of the song where we didn't remember the words.  It worked out great.  Evey still sings the song to this day.  So cute!

Thanks Tonya for taking this hilarious singing picture.  Emery and Ella's enthusiasm is the best, don't ya think?!

And here is Caden singing at the Dicken's Festival.  His school choir did 3 performances for the month of December.  I just loved all the songs.  I for sure loved Caden's choir stance on this day.  His "easy going, whatever comes my way" personality is the best.  We love you Cade.  You have a wonderful singing voice!

Where would December be without such wonderful songs and snow!  I love them both!