Twas the Week of Christmas

It was kind of fun to have Christmas fall on a Saturday so that you can celebrate it all week. It was a long week of waiting for the kids, but a fun one. Then it is nice to have today to rest and relax. Reagan and I went on a GNO last weekend to see The Nutcracker on Temple Hill. I wasn't sure how she would last through such a long time sitting and watching a performance, but she did really well. We went with friends and of the 4 girls, 50% were asleep by the final act :)

A pic in front of our tree in the kids best Christmas Sunday dress is a tradition, but it can take several tries...as indicated below.

We started with several with one kid not smiling.

Then one kid wouldn't look while one smiled and said "CHEESE" really loud.

Then she smiled!....oh, but the other one was eating his shoe.

And finally, this was our best! "Good job, kids!! Here's your piece of candy."

On Monday night for Family Home Evening, we went up to Temple Hill to see the lights and the visitors center. Reagan was sawing logs the whole drive there.

We woke her up, but she mostly complained about it being cold and rainy. And it was, so I can't blame her :) We saw several families from our stake, so we definitely weren't the only ones who had this idea for FHE activity!

One of my favorite things is the star on the side of the interstake center.

Oakland Temple with Nativity Scene

We found warmth and rest in the visitors center and everyone in the lobby got a good chuckle when my son walked in and upon seeing the Christus, screeched "OH, WOOOWWWWW!" and laughed like a hyena.

One of the reasons for visiting was also to see the Mark Mabry Photography exhibit on display called, "Reflections of Christ." Wow, it was amazing. One of his most stunning and popular is of the angels. But my personal favorites are of John the Baptist and Jesus Christ embracing as well as the Savior walking on water. I would watch the slideshow of his work, it is well worth a few minutes.

Love to all!