Last year we kind of read Christmas type stories before Christmas. It was a lot of fun. The only problem was that we had a limited variety of stories that were even remotely related to Christmas, Winter, or Holidays.

Looking back it was kind of funny that we never thought of trying to get a few more from the library. I guess you live and you learn.

This year we have been reading a brand new Christmas story each night before we head to bed. The kids have really enjoyed it! We have a lot of stories all in a bag (tied up so there is no peeking ahead of course) and each night the kids in turn get to pick out a new story.

It has been a lot of fun. We have even had the kids try and sneak a peak a few days ahead to see what else was coming!

Tonight we read a story about Santa Duck, by David Milgrim. It was a good story about a duck who tries to find Santa to give his list to but ends up helping out a lot of other people in the process and helps out Santa. He learns a bit more about what Christmas is all about! The favorite line from the story is “Jingle Quack, jingle quack. Jingle all the quack!”

We also made our Christmas tree shaped pancakes with M&M ornaments. I was dubbed the best mom in the world for that one! Of course, later that day I was dubbed the worst mom in the world because I make my kids pick up their toys every day. How mean can you get?

Later this week I hope to cut snowflakes out of tortillas. I can see that being something my kids really enjoy, especially if we brush them with butter and sugar and toast them in the oven. Mmmmm!

What Christmas traditions do you have?

The last couple days have a been a whirlwind! I’d like to share some of the highlights:

• The Elder’s Quorum Family Party. Chris is the Elder’s Quorum President, and a Christmas party was in order, so he set a date and we made up a bunch of yummy food (bread, grilled chicken, pomegranate salad, and a pumpkin trifle that was so delicious it got me a marriage proposal). The party was a huge success (or so I heard from several sources; I actually had to stay home with a sick kid). Lots of friends who just relaxed and chatted while the kids ran amok on the other side of the gym.
• A Night on the Town. Chris’s parents came to Vegas so we showed them the sights! We visited the cactus gardens all decorated with Christmas lights (now there’s a job I don’t envy-wrapping cacti with lights!) We toured the chocolate factory and watched the chocolate assembly line (it was fun watching them pour gallons of chocolate into the machine). We enjoyed a Smash Burger and then went to the last bit of our ward Christmas party, just in time to see Santa and help clean up. After that we went to the Bellagio fountains and botanical garden. The holiday display is my absolute favorite of all the Bellagio seasons! Christmas trees, poinsettias, penguins; They even have enormous polar bears made out of carnations (18,000 carnations!).
• Sunday. Chris was sustained to his new calling. 1st councilor in the Bishopric.  Wish us luck on our new adventure. Anyone have good tips for keeping four kids reverent during sacrament meeting?
• Spontaneous Library Time. Today the kids and I visited the library and checked out armloads of books. Then we came home and had a pizza party and a read-a-thon. Is there anything better than three snuggly kids and a stack of new books to read? I love hearing my kids laugh at the silly stories! Zach’s favorite today was The Cat in the Hat Comes Back. No surprise there! What little boy doesn’t love pure mess and chaos unleashed through the house?

Happy December all! I hope you all had a chance to enjoy the Christmas devotional.

The weather’s gotten a little colder here, and unfortunately some evil ice nymphs broke our heater. But we’re keeping warm with some space heaters. It’s actually kind of nice having different temperatures for different rooms. Now I know my kids are nice and warm.

Warm heaters don’t solve all the problems of getting out of bed in the morning. The other day I was getting Zach up and he rolled over and smiled like he’d had a nice dream and announced with a happy smile that “I think I’ll just stay in bed and snuggle with my warm blankie instead of going to school today.” Such politeness! Wouldn’t it be great if the world worked like this? Cold mornings everyone gets an extra hour for warm-blanket snuggles!

In other news Katie walks! Okay, she has for awhile, but it has solidified in her mind that she is a big person, just like all the other kids running around here. The other day we were laughing at this Draw a Stickman website and she came laughing up behind us with a loud “Ha HA HA!” I swear she was thinking “I don’t know what’s so funny, but it sure is fun to be doing what everyone else is doing!”

Speaking of laughing, we rented Cars 2 for Zach’s birthday and Wow! I’ve never heard that kid laugh so lard!

Other side note: We’ve been trying to do better at family home evening. Usually we start with the lessons, because that’s the most important part, right? …along with some weeping, and wailing and nashing of teeth….Anyway, inspired by some talks from conference we decided to restructure. We start with games and treats (you know, hoping to get our kids excited and BEGGING to have FHE), and then shift into song and prayer and lesson. This way, if we don’t get past the games and treats, at least we connected as a family and made some memories! The last two weeks have gone well. Chutes and ladders one week and then yesterday we took homemade bread around to several families (one of our favorite Christmas traditions…). I have to say, there was considerably less screaming from everyone involved.

Anyway, I know there’s all sorts of great websites out there with FHE ideas, but I was wondering, what are some of your favorite family home evening memories?