A Merry 33rd Birthday!

 Sam had his first ever Christmas concert.  It was fun to see all of the kids we hear about at home.  The kids did a great job.  Sam is still quiet serious and made sure he was on cue at all times.  The only downer was one poor kid threw up in the middle of the program.  I was impressed at how well the other kids handled it, you could hardly tell anything happened.

We also celebrated Shawn's 33rd birthday with his favorite - ULTIMATE Hamburgers.  These were huge, and he loved every bite!

 The kids wanted to be part of the see if you can fit your mouth around this contest - winner is still Shawn.  Shawn has had a pretty amazing 33rd year - a lot of exciting changes and he continues to be the best decision I ever made!  We finished the night off with Shawn's favorite rum cake.

 Max is a little trouble maker, but heaven help us because he is so stinking cute that its hard not to applaud at his mischief!  He thinks he's pretty big stuff sitting in the boys desk.  The only problem, he can't figure how to get down safely…. this will come after a few more bonks.

 We finally got around to making gingerbread houses - the kids took a lot more creative liberty this year, and it was more fun for me that way too.  I wasn't in charge of building and decorating 3 houses, just helping with keeping the walls from falling in.  Jack recreated the Little Einstein's Hansel and Gretel candy house:

 Sam made his Mansion house:

 Lyv made a teepee!

All the kids are so excited for Christmas, and it will be a wonderful morning seeing the magic of Christmas unfolding.  Sam has started to catch wind of the fact that Santa and his parents have very similar hand writing, wrapping paper, etc.  We aren't quite sure how to best explain Santa without squashing the magic of Christmas for him and the other kids.  The truth is, is that I still believe in Santa through the spirit of giving and the magic of making wishes come true.  I love the Christmas season and the chance to bring a smile to my kids and husband's face!

We also have stressed the reason for the season this year, and have been watching stories of Christ in the new Bible videos produced by the church.  They have helped the kids understand and learn better who Christ is and the "tidings of great joy" that are for us because of His birth.  It is has been a really spiritual experience, and I can see the kids understanding the idea of serving in connection with Christmas better.  I am so grateful for lessons I learned in my youth of service at Christmas time, and how those memories come to me each year, and renew my testimony that "when we are in the service of our fellowmen, we are only in the service of our God."