Christmas Parties & Christmas Dresses

Picture of the girls that is going out in the Christmas cards that may get there for Valentines Day.

I got to go help at Kennedy's Christmas Party.

Kennedy and one of her best friends.

School Christmas programs

The girls had their Christmas Program at school. They all did a great job. Katie was in choir (brings back those memories of french fry runs back in high school during choir.) Katie was also in the band, she played the bells.

Christmas Program at Temple Square

We got free tickets to the Christmas Program this year, so Mackenzie got a date with Grandma and Grandpa Smedley to go see the Frog Princess while the rest of us went to the Christmas program. I thought we would look at the lights too, but it was WAAAY too cold, so I just got this one picture. It was totally awesome. Natalie Cole and David McCullough were the guest singer/speakers this year. Plus thePresident Monson and Pres Uchdorff came!!

One of those super fuzzy people in front of the tv is the prophet!

This is for you people who don't live in Utah that have never seen how many people they can pack into the conference center!

Katie Turns 14 (GASP)

Katie's 14th birthday. Yeah, so the cake was not so fancy, but the frosting tasted SUPERB! Happy birthday to my biggest baby girl!

A Christmas Carol

So Kennedy and Mackenzie were in a play at church. They had practice twice and week and the kids did an AWESOME job! Kennedy was the narrator & Mackenzie was Sophie Crachett.

Scrooge waking up on his"bed."

Scrooge and the Ghost of Christmas Present.

My favorite line of Mackenzie's was "And FRIED APPLES!"

The Cratchett family.

Mackenzie as Sophie & Tiny Tim.

Kennedy's teacher and aide from school came to see the play!

Santa came to the Christmas breakfast/play too, so Mackenzie got to see Santa without a trip to the mall :)

These are a few of my favorite things

These are some of my favorite Christmas decorations.

Live Nativity

We braved frostbite to go see the Live Nativity again this year. It was COLD but it was Katie's first time going and we really loved it as much as last year. You catch a ride over to it in the back of a horse trailer. Then you are met at the bottom of the hill and told how to get to Bethlehem. You hike up the hill to the Bethlehem barn where you see the nifty animals & see them weave baskets, make bread & do other things they would have done in Bethlehem. Then you leave Bethlehem and go to the stable where baby Jesus is. They have a REAL LIVE NEWBORN baby there. It is so cool. After you enjoy that for awhile there is free hot chocolate and, if you are lucky like Drew, a near-smooch by a passing Roman soldiers horse! Katie meeting the camel for the first time. I am not sure it was love at first sight for her.....

Petting a donkey with cousin Hannah

Little Hyrum and Mindy meeting the camel.

A family portrait "frozen" in time.

Mindy, Hyrum and Hannah saying hi to baby Jesus.

Katie enjoying a hot cup of cocoa.

Everyone enjoying hot chocolate by the heat lamp.

A passing Roman soldier. I decide to try to get a picture.

The Roman soldier says "How about one with my horse smooching your husband?" One of those truly priceless moments.