The First Week of Christmas

The first week of December has flown by, and, according to our new tradition, we must do something merry every day. We don't really do anything extra - it's just a way of pacing ourselves through this busy holiday season. Here's the rundown so far:

Day Eight...

Every year

the Young Men & Young Women

go see the temple lights.

It's so cold

and so beautiful -

one of our favorite ways

to remember the true reason

for the season.

Day Seven...

Who can resist whip cream?

Matthew can,

but Adam loves it with all his heart.

We also love some good old

Charlie Brown Christmas.

Camille wanted to know

if most people knew

{like the Peanuts Gang & Mr. Shultz knew}

what Christmas was really all about.

I told her I thought

most people knew that Christmas started

as a way to celebrate Christ's birth,

but that some of them had forgotten.

{But not us!}

Day Six...

What better way to spend a Sunday afternoon

than decorating the little tree

with some favorite family ornaments.

That way we can talk about

all the wonderful people

who have blessed our lives

over the years!

And, of course, get in a little wresting

while Mom finishes it all!

Day Five...

Every year

on the first Saturday of December,

we have "Breakfast with Santa"

{Brad's office party}

and then pick out our Christmas tree.

We usually drive up the hill

to choose our own tree,

but this year has been way too crazy!!

So, we went to a tree lot.

Boring.

Easy.

Kinda Nice!!

Brad especially appreciated this guy

who wrapped the tree

AND

tied it to the car

with his "mad knot tying skills."

Plus,

we didn't have to stop three times

on the way home

to fix it!

Day Four...

This year we started a new "first" --

a Christmas concert with

The Band of the Golden West

(our local Air Force Band).

It's going to be a new tradition.

Beautiful!

{especially Mobility's rendition of

Feliz Navidad}

Day Three...

Festival of Trees

is our community's fundraisaer

for our local homeless shelter.

The youth in our stake participate every year

by decorating a tree,

{snapshot above -

this year our tree sold for $1,600!),

singing,

and then cleaning it all up.

Such a great event!

Day Two...

Every year we make goodies

to sell at

The Festival of Trees.

This year Camille was my helper.

Thanks, sweetie!

Day One...

For the kids,

December can't start

until the Advent Box is filled.

It's one of their favorite traditions

every year.

They love spreading the candy

all over the table

and deciding what pattern to follow

as they load up the goodies.

Let the holidays begin!