Once we returned home from our adventures abroad, we had to hit the ground running and check back into reality rather quickly as our everyday adventures were not going to sit back and wait for us! Here is a quick review.
M's last Cub Scout Pack Meeting
M worked hard throughout his time in Cub Scouts and during his last pack meeting, M received quite a few awards to finish out his experience. Among what M received was the "Webelos 20 Super Achiever" award and patch. This is earned by completing all 20 activity pins available in the Webelos rank. M worked very hard to complete these activities and we are very proud of all of his achievements!
That is one well decorated Cub Scout, don't you think? We are grateful for the Scouting program and all the dedicated leaders who have guided M throughout his experience.
******
Christmas Eve
Shortly after M's last Cub Scout meeting, it was time to get ready for Christmas. Since most of the month was spent in preparation for our trip and then traveling right before Christmas, we decided to spend Christmas at home with just our little family of five. Minus having extended family with us, our yearly traditions remained the same.
Everyone always wants to be the one to put on the tree topper and the first ornament. We are blessed to have room to put up two trees and that helps to spread around the honor of being the "first" and gives more opportunities for each of our kiddos to take a turn. This year C-sta hung the first ornament on the tree in the downstairs front room; she chose a blue flip-flop we got in Kauai, HI during an S family reunion in 2004. Li'l J put the blue star topper on the downstairs tree and hung the first ornament on the tree in the loft; he chose a star ornament with a drawing he made during 1st grade. On the tree loft, M put the new Angel topper that J-rod and I bought in Lake Atitlan while on our Guatemala trip.
Christmas Eve we told the Nativity story using the darling felt puppets we received from our CC S family--LOVE them! Next we opened our traditional Christmas Eve present, changed into our comfy new jammies, and of course set out a cup of milk, and plate of cookies and carrots for Santa and his reindeer. After reading our Mary Engelbreit edition of "The Night Before Christmas", it was off to dream of the magic to come!
******
Christmas Day 2011
The obligatory Christmas morning "siblings-in-their jammies" picture.
C-sta was thrilled with all the gifts she was blessed to receive. As you can see by the pictures, this little gal LOVES Dora the Explorer & Friends!
M & Li'l J were also very happy with the gifts they received.
G'ma S blessed each of the kids with her crafty sewing talents this year. C-sta a got a soft and comfy Dora blanket with pockets for Dora & her friends dolls--C-sta LOVES the blanket. M & Li'l J each got BIG Cosmo the Cougar body pillows--they're awesome pillows!
******
Li'l J's 7th Birthday
Four days after celebrating the Savior's birth we get to celebrate Li'l J's birth. We are so grateful this little sprite is part of our family! Isn't he a cutie? He wanted to so badly to open his presents before J-rod left for work, that we all woke up bright and early before sunrise to give Li'l J his birthday wish.
After J-rod got home from work, we took Li'l J to dinner at our traditional birthday spot, Red Robin. While at Red Robin the servers sang to Li'l J when they brought him an ice cream sundae. Then once we got home, Li'l J blew out the candles on his birthday cake. I guess when you're the birthday boy, it's A-OK to have two desserts! After having cake, Li'l J got to talk to his grandparents. It was a great way to celebrate his 7th birthday!
******
Temple
What better way to finish out the month and year, than with a visit to the temple? The day after Li'l J's birthday, J-rod and I spent some time at the Mesa Temple for the sealing of a darling family in our ward. It was an all around beautiful day--the weather was warm, the temple inside and out was so peaceful, and the love that could be felt there was uplifting. What a joyous occasion!
Some of the pictures I took of the temple while we waited for the family to join us outside. Some portions of the temple's exterior were being worked on and were surrounded by scaffolding, so the unobstructed angels available for taking pictures were somewhat limited that day.
Ready for 2012?
No comments:
Post a Comment