We have...

We have been having some FUN! Here are a few things we have been up to getting ready for Christmas and just plain enjoying Christmas time.* Chopped down & decorated our extra prickly Christmas tree, which I had to wear gloves to decorate. It is that sharp!

* Decked the halls. Calvin believes that the reason we have got so much snow this year is because I hung these snowflakes in our family room windows.

* Hid upstairs while mom hosted her annual Christmas crop.

* been inspired as we watched the First Presidency Christmas Devotional.

* snuggled on the couch with dad while mom went to her RS Christmas Progressive Dinner.

* Anticipated school closures due to snow. Lucky us, 4 out of the 5 days before Christmas break were snowdays. Oh how we have loved sleeping in.

* Watched the Polar Express, Elf and all of the Holiday classics together.

*Built a snowman. His name is Snowman Sam.

*Played games together. Don't Eat Snowman Sam & Christmas Bingo are our favorites and we have discovered a new favorite, BLINK! A card game the is SO fun and fast.

* Watched football games and lounging by the fire.

* Drank hot cocao on several occasions. Sometimes with homemade whip cream.

* Stayed home and had a Christmas Party with Doug, Tamera & Megan while mom and dad went to Ginger's Christmas concert.

* enjoyed Treats with our Teachers. Every year for the past 4 years we have had our primary teachers over for FHE and goodies. This year we thought we might have to cancel due to snow, but our teachers and their families braves the frosty conditions.

* Donned our "gay appearal". We may only get one chance this year because the first Sunday in December Alyna and Caleb stayed home sick and church was canceled last Sunday and right now who knows about this Sunday it is still pretty frozen out there.

* Watched the snow fall, and fall, and fall. After a while the novelty does where off and yet it is stunning and magical still.

* Engaged snow ball fights with friends.

* built my little pony castles out of tupperware, pots and pans.

*Made goodies, recieveing goodies and eaten way too many goodies. We will probably eat more.

* Slept by the Christams tree.

* Listened to lots of Christmas Music. Mom's favorite will always be John Denver, however we LOVE dashing through the snow in a one horse slope and sleigh, the best.

* Gone sledding behind the 4 wheeler.

* Done some last minute shopping.

* Sharing stories with good friends.

* Gone into the ditch twice and stuck twice. Got out 3 times and rescued once.

* Slid down Pebble Hill.

* Shared taco soup with friends at our house and then Pizza a few day later at theirs.

* Plowed roads and got the Bobcat stuck and unstuck.

* We have hauled wood.

* Played with all of the wonderful dolls that great grandma Edwards sent.

* Loved getting Christmas cards from family and friends.

* Sent out 78 Christmas letters.

* Discovered a little guest on top of our tree.

* Woke up to snow for the past 10 days.

* Discovered a sheet of ice sandwiched between 2-3' of snow, maybe more. One of us has made arrows out of it.

* Made sure that our chickens have fresh water everyday. Because every morning it is frozen solid.

* Had a few frozen eggs, but no frozen chickens. WOO HOO!

* Attempted to snowtube at Asberry acres.

* Braved the snow to go to our Ward Christmas breakfast.

* Sat on Santa's lap. Some of us have sat near him as apposed to actually on his lap.

* Lost power several times, but only for short periods.

* Felt love in hearts for our Savior and our Father in Heaven.

* Said Merry Christmas, as much as we can.

* Been blessed abundantly. No life is not always perfect around here. The house is a mess at times, we get on eachothers nerves, we worry about money and what we'll do if the power goes out. We scramble to pull Christmas together. And yet LIFE IS GOOD. Look at all the fun we have had and the joy that we have felt.

* A desire to give back to the Savior for all that he has given to us. We love Him, he honor him, and celebrate his life at this magical time of year.

* Been naughty & nice...mostly nice because...

Santa Claus is coming to town!!!

*Excitement around here. OH MY GOODNESS IT IS CHRISTMAS EVE!!! Plus it is going to be a white Christmas, a very very white Christmas.

* Christmas Wishes. I took a peak at the letters the kids wrote to Santa today. Looks like Alyna is hoping for paints & a canvas, crocs or her own room. Belle would like a princess bike, a barbie, or little people. Caleb's wish is anything to do with the Texas longhorns. Calvin would like a wallE transformer or any transformer.

* A wish for you. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!