Christmas 2012

Christmas felt like one big celebration after another this year. It was wonderful. The kids opened a couple of the larger presents at home before we left to visit family. They were pretty excited!

Warren's favorite part was the wrapping paper and the bows. We had to keep a close eye on this little man.

Making cookies at Grandma Packer's house.

 Clara's Christmas dress that Grandma Packer made for her. 

Nativity #1. It's always a hoot watching the kids get all dressed up and the drama they go through choosing parts to play.

Our favorite Santa!

Grandma and Grandpa Packer had a farm theme this year for the grandkids, complete with a little tractor for them to drive when they visit.

We headed to Oakley on Christmas Eve to have even more fun. Here is nativity #2. Clara was Mary. She took very good care of her donkey, it was very sweet.

Christmas Morning!

After the initial excitement, I think we all feel a little like this on Christmas morning.

Clara found some fingernail polish in her stocking and after attempting to do it herself, Barry stepped in. What a great dad!

He did find a little time in between eating all the bows to play with one of his presents.

Clara's 4th Birthday

Clara turned 4 on December 19th. She brings such a sweet spirit to our home. She is creative, caring, and gives the best hugs and kisses. She is a great sister and is always trying to help others be happy.

We pampered her here at home that day and then had a little get together at Grandma Packer's house a few days later.

Breakfast in bed was her favorite food - hootenannies, aka German pancakes. And she got a Rainbow Brite Doll.

Followed by a few more presents.

Clara likes anything pink, sparkly, or pink and sparkly so she's pretty easy to shop for.

And her pink birthday ice cream cone.

At Grandma's house Barry made her a Dora pinata. It was a big hit. :)

Cousins Connor, Johnathan, Triston, and Mackayla with Quinton and Clara.

And Grandma Packer made her a rainbow pony cake, which just melted her little girl heart. She was in heaven.

She plays the princess role very well. 

Overall, she was pretty pleased with all of the attention and sugar.

Clara's Dance Recital

On December 18th, Clara had her first dance recital. She did a great job and was so cute. She was the smallest girl in her class whenever she was concentrating hard (which was most of the time) she stuck her whole tongue out. We have it on video, but here are a few pictures.

Waiting to begin. She loved spending time with the other girls.

This girl just cracks me up. 

Clara's teacher closed up shop after this recital so we're done dancing for a while, but maybe someday she'll pick it up again. She looked forward to it every week and asked all the time if today was the day for dance class.

Santa

It's always fun to see the kids' reactions to Santa each year. At our ward Christmas party Clara was so excited she was right a the front of the line to see him and let him know she wanted a mermaid for Christmas.

Quinton was a little shy as he told him about his fire truck wish.

And Warren just wanted to know who the heck was holding him.

And maybe get a taste or two of that beard.

Christmas Card Pictures

One Saturday morning in December I was so excited to see some snow on the ground that I hauled the family outside for some pictures. Our neighbor was nice enough to help out at the last minute. This first one is my favorite. 

Quinton at 5 years old

Clara at 4 years old

Holiday Preparations

We get pretty excited when a holiday is coming, and of course December is full of celebration.

Warren was pretty excited to feed himself a banana for the first time.

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Of course we had to drive into the mountains (Idaho City) to find a Christmas tree. Lugging a baby up a steep hill is no easy feat!

Nor is it easy keeping these two in one piece going in and out of the trees.

But we found a good one this year! Barry makes a pretty good looking lumberjack.

This was our advent calendar this year. We would take turns each day poking a hole in the paper and pulling out a treat and a scripture.

The kids begged to make gingerbread men cookies!

Someone gave us a bag of cranberries at bountiful baskets and so we strung some for our tree. It takes a great deal of concentration.

Warren was just hoping to eat some of the decorations.