Ward Christmas Party

Tonight was the ward Christmas party. We had yummy food & got to see Santa. Carter was a little unsure at first (see top picture) but warmed up when Santa asked him what he wanted for Christmas. They were both very happy to receive candy from Santa.

Look what we got!!

It is really feeling like Christmas time. It is in the 40's with a cold wind, snow on all the surrounding mountains & even ice this morning. We are breaking out our winter clothes (but coming from CA we have very few warm enough:). We love having the tree lights on and the fireplace going.

About a week ago Jillian & Carter wrote letters to Santa & today (with the help of Gma P) they got letters back. There was much excitement, running around & yelling when I told them what had arrived. We sat & read them together on the couch & I am happy to report that Santa considers both children to have been mostly good this year and there will be presents on Christmas:) They are saving their letters under the Christmas tree.

Thank you Santa & helper, for making their day!!!!

Soccer Ends

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Today was Carter's last soccer game and his end of the season party. It has turned very cold here (40's) so we were all bundled up. Carter has become a great soccer player. He wants to play the whole game, is starting to use some defense and get the ball from other kids, and he scored two goals today (though he insists it was only 1). He & his friend Josie (bottom right) make a great team and scored almost all the goals between the two of them.

Bus

Jillian has started taking the bus to school. It picks her up right behind our house so at 8:28 every morning we can be found walking to the bus stop. Carter rides in the stroller so I don't have to worry about him running off. I thought Jill looked very cute in her tights & boots today and then I realized I hadn't taken any pictures of her taking the bus so i brought my camera along. The bottom right is her climbing on.

On a side note, Carter loves the magic school bus movies & books. We always end up with a bunch from the library. His current favorite is "Inside Ralphie" all about germs, infection, antibodies etc... He loves it and looks at it by himself all the time then he has us read it to him numerous times. He really learns a lot from them, he now knows the nasal passage is part of your nose, and the other day he and Jillian played bacteria & antibodies and tried to destroy each other. It is pretty cute.

They are both growing up so fast!!!

Thunder show & Christmas decorations

Last Saturday we met Paige for lunch as she was passing through on her way back to Idaho. After that we put up Christmas decorations. It is fun to have a lot of space to decorate and a porch. Jillian & Carter enjoyed decorating their little tree. It started to turn cold and there was some drizzle and even a little thunder so the kids set themselves up to enjoy a thunder show. They sat in front of the open back door, used Jill's blanket to keep warm & listened to the thunder while enjoying their popcorn & apple juice. It may not sound very entertaining to you but it kept them busy for about an hour and they enjoyed all the thunder.