Ciera's Piano Recital

Ciera was in her first ever piano recital tonight. She played two pieces: Frosty the Snowman and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. There were many music students that played... but Ciera was by far the best and the cutest (Not that we are biased in any way)! She did such a great job and we are so proud of her!

Winter wonder

Every morning when we wake up, I am amazed at the beauty all around us. All of the trees are covered in ice crystals and make everything look so magical. It is COLD, but so beautiful out there. It really makes it feel like Christmas to have snow on the ground, and beautiful winter magic all around!

While Shepherds watched their flocks by night

Our latest addition to the Nativity was the shepherds. Brooke actually drew hers, and it was so cute... then she started to color it all black. I had to quickly intervene so we could keep some of the drawing visible. Ciera and Chloe both did such a great job with theirs! Next will be the wisemen...

The Jolly Old Elf

Saturday night at our ward Christmas party, we had a visit from Santa Claus. The girls were all so excited to see him, even Autumn. She got a little nervous when I put her on his lap, but she didn't cry or scream, like most of the kids her age! All three big girls told him what they wanted for Christmas. Ciera, a Hannah Montana Malibu Beach house, Chloe, a real puppy, and Brooke, a doll. Guess which one has an actual chance! Well, it should be fun to see them opening their gifts on Christmas Day!

The Nativity

The first night of drawing...
Cute Ciera and Chloe
These are the animals that welcomed the Savior at the stable.
Joseph leading Mary on a donkey to Bethlehem...

Last year we started a tradition with our family that we draw different parts of the story of Jesus' birth on different nights leading up to Christmas. Our final drawing is of the baby Jesus in the manger. So far this year we have done the animals and Mary and Joseph. It is something that our kids look forward to and really like doing. It helps us to remember the reason for Christmas!

Happy 2nd Birthday Autumn!

Our beautiful birthday girl!
Finally, cake time!
Autumn doing a "bridge"... she had a fun time playing with Brooke today!
Cheese...
Opening presents before Ciera and Chloe had to leave for school.
Dora cake... before the figures went on.
... and after
Make a wish!

Today was Autumn's 2nd birthday, and I can hardly believe it! She is growing up so fast. She was so cute opening up her presents (Thank you Grandmas and Grandpas) and really was excited about each one. She had a fun day playing with all of her new things. After dinner we had cake... which she had been waiting for ALL day! She danced around the living room after cake, and played "ring around the rosy" with her sisters (which she can sing pretty well!). She is really becoming a great little girl. I am so glad that she is part of our family!

Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!

Well, it finally happened. We awoke this morning to a blanket of snow covering the ground. It is funny, because I went to sleep last night wondering when it was going to snow... wondering if we were going to have to "dream of a white Christmas" this year. When I opened the blinds this morning to look outside... it was all white and still coming down. This afternoon, some of it has melted, but I think winter is finally here!