Zoe's Performance

I completely forgot to post pictures from Zoe's Performance Inc recital which was the beginning of December. She had so much fun and loved performing in front of everyone.

Zoe did so well signing her solo part. The lighting in there wasn't great for picture taking. 

Zoe with her friends from the ward. They are both Chase's age, but Zoe is small for her age.

The Sunday before Christmas

We have been taking a picture of the family for years now the Sunday before Christmas. I'm not sure why, we don't have new clothes on but its become a tradition. This year my birthday fell on that Sunday.

I love that Derek pulled this off the shelf as a prop for the pictures. Derek and I made this after I missed going to the Relief Society Super Saturday. 

I love my little family! 

The kids love that Buddy their elf is in the picture. 

These kids keep growing. I have mixed emotions about that. 

Birthdays on Sunday just aren't the same. So all I wanted to do was watch Christmas movies and put a puzzle together. Derek and I with a little help from Zoe completed this 1,000 piece puzzle in less than 6 hours. Plus me stopped to make dinner and clean up. 

Also we can't forget that Zoe lost the other front tooth on December 19th. She sang "All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth" practically non stop til Christmas. 

Zoo Lights

I have wanted to do Zoo lights for the last couple years but we don't think about it ahead of time and then our schedule gets full. This year we put it on the calendar. The last time we went Maeley was 1.

It was chilly that night. 

Derek's parents came with us. 

It definitely was way better than the last time we went. So glad we made it a priority this year. 

After Zoo Lights we went to Derek's parents for hot chocolate and cookies. Papa pulled one of Zoe's loose teeth. She wasn't happy at the moment but later she was so excited.  Do you see how ridiculous the other front tooth looks? It was also loose but not quite  ready to be pulled yet.

Family pictures November 2015

I forgot to post the family pictures we had taken. It was pretty last minute when a friend posted on Facebook about having a cancellation for the next day. At 10 o'clock at night we were set for pictures at 11 the next morning. Talk about nerve wracking trying to coordinate 5 peoples clothes. I think they turned out great.

I love my family! 

Legos and Christmas Decor

The kids were so excited to get another Christmas Lego set from their elf Buddy. They do have a pretty spectacular elf that has given them a new Christmas Lego set each year. Needless to say its their favorite part to put up when its time to decorate for Christmas.

The 2015 set

Building previous years Lego sets.

I totally spaced it and didn't get pictures of all of our Christmas decor. We love Christmas! 

Pictures with Santa

Our HOA had a cookies with Santa at a park in the neighborhood in the beginning of December. 

One day we had only the girls with us and they brought up how not all the kids at school believe in Santa Claus. Maeley said that most of the kids in her class don't believe. Zoe said one kid in her class doesn't believe.  Maeley goes on to say that her friend believes that there once was a Santa that's why he's referred to as Old Saint Nick but how he died. Maeley tells her that that's true, but there was a Mrs. Claus and they would have had kids so the Santa today is Santa Jr Jr Jr Jr.....and on and on. So I turned to her and said so it's like a family business. She said Yes! I love her perspective.  Clearly Santa Claus is still a big part of their Christmas.