Christmas, the long and short of it.

These were taken from Aug's Christmas Folder.  He wanted to fill it out during the break.  There were a few mornings that he got up and it was the first thing he did.  I think it's a great summary of the fun memories we made.  There were more pages that I didn't photograph, but these were a few of my favorite.  I love the phonectic spelling of kinder kind.

I had a very good Christmas.

Above:  I got to decorate my tree and well it was winter. I went to the movie theatre with my babysitter (while Mom and Dad went to a different show at the same time) and 

I saw Alvin and the Chickmunks.

Before Christmas I went to Utah and I helped cut down my tree and I brought (or brung) it from Utah to Arizona.  

That last one melts me.  Our tree this year was literally hauled by Hubstar and I over two mountain sides.  This was no ordinary tree...in that it was over 10 feet tall to begin with.   You know it big when your Brother mockingly laughs and asks, "Whose tree is that?!"   

Christmas Activities

The temple lights with these fine folks.  It was the first year we were rained out so 

most our time was spent inside.  That can be tough with 6 crazy kids.

There wasn't just "a" letter to Santa but many from Ciel.  

All placed nicely under the tree.  They were so cute to read.

Christmas puzzles are always a hit with my kids. Cheap, easy and comes with a total satisfaction garuantee.  

Sometimes little crafts don't work out...

  But sometimes they do! 

An awesome pic of us with an awesome family at Christmas Street.

Christmas Eve at the Kimballs.  In spite of Ciel's festive look Grandma Junes was a hit as always.  

Plenty of food, family and presents to go around.

These were her happier times. 

Welcome to Who-Ville

Complete with the Grinch and The Who's!

These guys were cute but the kids didn't think they were cute 

enough to get close to...haha.

We made the drive up to the JW Marriott Desert Ridge.  We stopped on the way back in 

Tempe to break up that long trip.  

The whole thing is really quite amazing. So much candy, sugar and creativity. In spots you would get these wafts of sweet smelling of cookies and frosting.  The fun was in the details, the soda cracker steps and nuts that created the thatched roof effect were some favs.   This took 800 lbs. of gingerbread people.

  

How'd they do that!?!?

Here's a picture of all of it to get an idea of scale. It was big...amazing.

It's not something you see everyday so I didn't mind the drive. 

Plus we did it when the kids had a half day so it was a great day to go.