A Little Bit Naughty and a Little Bit Nice

Last month was insane. The entire Christmas season was a blur of cookies and concerts and recitals and-----packing. But I'll get to that NEXT!

The month officially kicked off on the night we went out as a family to buy our Christmas tree. Last year, we Kyle cut down our tree. The experience was---interesting, and it was actually pretty pricey! So this year, we opted to pick up a tree at Costco.

The Costco tree, pre-bundled for your convenience, was completely diseased and black on the inside! Kyle had to throw it off our balcony, re-strap it to the top of our car, drive it all the way back to Costco, and exchange it for another one. My family room was a mess of pine needles! But, eventually, we ended up with this...

The girls did such a good job decorating the tree for their bedroom... But then Elle spent the next three weeks taking every ball ornament off of it, removing the metal tops, and calling them "APPLES!" It looked pretty decrepit by the time Christmas came. 

At Kyle's work Christmas party, I won him an X-Box One. It was a game of heads and tails, and I walked away with the grand prize. Speaking of prizes, Kyle was awarded the title of Innovator of the Year for his company, which was a really big honor! He works so hard for our family, while still being a totally present, hands on Dad to our four littles. I'm so proud of him!!!

The kids watching cousin Kennedy play a Genie in Aladdin.

Our friends, the Perkins, threw an ugly sweater/white elephant party this year. I spent about 20 minutes in Target, trying to convince myself to spend money on an ugly piece of clothing for myself. It was physically painful. I decided to go to the men's section. I could convince myself to buy something ugly for Kyle, right???-------Nope. THEN, just as the inner turmoil was about to destroy me, I spotted a DIY ugly sweater kit across the aisle! Date Night in!!! I was so excited to bring the kits home and show Kyle. That night, we finally got both twins to sleep just before 10 pm, and stayed up late to decorate our ugly sweaters. It was so. much. fun. So much so, that I didn't get any pictures of the decorating process, and Kyle packed* his sweater before I remembered to take a picture of it. So, this one was mine. Kyle's was red, with four white reindeer flying on it. Epic ugly-sweatering, if I do say so myself.

London thought this horrible thing was the most beautiful piece of clothing she had ever seen. "I love all of these DECORATIONS!" And when her dress on Christmas Sunday was just plain "golden without ANY decorations", she was pretty upset with me.

The twins at 4 months.

London's Christmas program at preschool.

Christmas morning was magical. Snow fell in big, beautiful flurries while the kids opened their presents. Happy the Elf brought the girls an art easel all the way from the North Pole. Elle wanted to watch Finding Nemo (MEEMO!) over and over again, which we all agreed was the perfect way to spend a snowy Christmas morning. London decided that she "got almost everything she asked Santa for because I was a little bit naughty and a little bit nice." Still, the best part of the morning was hearing Elle's reaction to each present..." Oh, goodness!" 

Santa brought the twins these hooded towels!

After a lazy morning, we went to the cousin's house to bake cookies and these darling Martha Stewart meringue trees. Grandma and Grandpa came for the festivities, and a fancy Christmas dinner made by Melissa.

 The best part of December was the family time we spent reflecting on our Savior, thanks to the 25 Days of Christ box my sister-in-law gifted us. Inside, there is a pamphlet of special quotes, a link to a Bible video, and a daily ornament to hang on your tree. Each day of the month centers on a story from the life of the Christ. Elle's favorite story was the miracle of the loaves and fishes, and London's was when Jesus calmed the Sea of Galilee. If you are looking for a really special way to make Christmas meaningful to little children, I can't say enough about the spirit this box brought into our home this Christmas season.