December

 

December came and went way too fast! With a later Thanksgiving this year, and just life in general moving so fast these days, I felt like time was just flying. Thankfully, there were many, many sweet moments where we were able to slow down for at least a few minutes and enjoy the beauty of the season!

One Friday afternoon we headed to Salt Lake for some Christmas magic. We stopped by the giving the machines and donated immunizations to the humane society (Lila picked, because there was a kitty on the picture). We stopped by the Grand America to see the huge gingerbread house and look at all the fun windows and Christmas trees. And we did some Christmas crafts at the church history museum while Nana was there doing her shift.

After seeing the huge gingerbread house, Lila was very determined to do her own! All four kids worked together on this masterpiece and it was a sweet, fun evening. It adorned our counter all month long!

We did our 24 days of service, which is so meaningful every year. This year we started with an extra special service project. We wanted to give to Primary Children's hospital- our neighbors do a collection every year. So the kids and I all worked together to tie this blanket. Then we went to Target and the boys used their own money to pick some toys that kids can do from bed. Lila picked out a few things too and then the kids delivered them to the Slaughters to take to PCH. Slaughter's daughter passed away of cancer shortly before we moved in and was treated there, so it was also a gift to them to donate in her memory. 

After carefully considering every possible Christmas dress on the market, this was deemed the one. Lila loved it- but only paired with the sparkly gold tights. White tights are boring and what you wear "when your mom just wants you to be ugly."

Davis finally lost his front tooth! I love this little toothless grin! He was so dang proud of it!

Christmas cookie baking- complete with princess/witch attire. 

We went to see Santa. Lila told me the day before she was nervous to go because she thought Santa would have her on the naughty list. (I mean, she wasn't wrong...) She did NOT talk to him and hated to be in the picture with him, but afterwards thought it was a positive experience. Davis asked for Crocs, Hudson asked for a putter, Chase asked for football gloves, Lila asked (through me, her interpreter) for a barbie camper.

This is Hudson after finding out he got the role of the KING in the school play this year! We are doing Cinderella and even though I got to be part of casting, I didn't get to cast him. He did great in his audition and I think it'll be such a cute role for him!

All the boys went for haircuts- under mostly duress. Chase really weighed all his options on his hair choices and finally landed on this- more of a risk than his norm. I think it turned out so cute!

We did more cookie decorating on the Sunday before Christmas with Nana and Heidi! The kids came up with the cutest stuff and true to form, Lila was the last one still decorating long after her brothers lost interest.

Davis finished up his basketball season! This was a dream come true for him. He's totally a natural athlete and improved so much over the season. His ball handling is excellent and he score a bunch of baskets. Mostly it's just so dang cute to watch him play.

More Christmas baking with Aunt Heidi. Lila has definitively decided that they are best buddies.

We had a fun Christmas party with the extended White family at my Aunt Georgia's house. Lila and Rosie quickly included Abby in their little group and the three girls were magically adorable all night long. It was so sweet to see them all bond like this! (Abby's mom Kelly is my "best cousin" just like Lila and Rosie)

This is Davis and Lila heading to the party. I love that they are dressed to attend the same event! My preferred outfit for both of them was somewhere in the middle of this.

And before we knew it, Christmas Eve was upon us! We had a lovely night all together. Heidi gathered the kids earlier to make Christmas cards for Whisper Cove (that they delivered the next day). We did games (that were hilarious), our epic talent show, a delicious prime rib dinner, hilarious gift exchange, and the kids got their big surprise gift from Nana and Papa- a treasure hunt that led them to matching Disneyworld T-shirts and the reveal that we are all heading there next month! The kids were jumping up and down and screaming in absolute delight! It was the sweetest moment. I can't wait until we are there!

Christmas morning started WAY too early since Lila woke everyone up around 4:45 am and no one really got back to sleep. Eventually we just went with it and began our Christmas morning. The kids loved all their gifts and were so thankful. Excitement was off the charts. It was just a sweet morning all the way around! We ended the day with dinner over at Ray and Diane's. It was a really beautiful Christmas in which I took basically no pictures because I was just enjoying being in the moment!