Friend Party

This year we added a new twist to our annual friend Christmas party...ugly sweaters. I think the girls totally understood what an ugly Christmas sweater is, but the guys might need some help. Especially Mark who just chose not to participate. The white elephant gifts were hilarious as usual. The kids had fun doing a snowman craft. However, Luke and Iz just wanted to put on the sparkly lip gloss the entire time. Such a fun night...glad we can always find time to get together!

Little Skulls Party

This year SkullCandy did an adult and family party. Luke thought this was the coolest thing ever that he finally got to go to work with Daddy at SkullCandy. They had it during the day right by the offices so everyone could join in the fun. Luke's favorite part was probably seeing Santa. He couldn't believe that Santa came to the party. However, he was very bothered by the fact that Santa didn't bring his reindeer. Duke chose to have a snowman painted on his face...he loved it so much that he made sure not to scratch or rub it all day. We got to take funny holiday photos in the photo booth, make cookies, and do holiday crafts. It was a really fun party and perfect for kids.

It was actually a very snowy day in Park City and a little scary coming down the canyon. Everyone was going 30 mph and semis were pulled over on the side of the road. While I was trying to drive carefully and focus on the road I hear Luke say, "Mommy, help me, my legs are stuck." I turned around to see a familiar sight...Luke climbing out of his car seat. Since pulling over to the side of the road was pretty dangerous I threatened Luke with his friend party and talked him through how to get back into his car seat. This little guy is crazy and you can't take your eyes off him for a second.

Gingerbread Houses...Creations

Every year we have the Waite family over for gingerbread houses. Each year the competition gets more and more extreme. Eileen started shopping around for her idea weeks before the party. This year we had an iPad, a lake house, ski lodge, Eiffel Tower, DJ Hero, snow house, etc. Pat was the winner this year with his Eiffel Tower. It was pretty impressive. Luke was happy just to make a house and eat some candy!

The Lights

Last year we left the lights on Temple Square until the last minute and never made it out. This year we went early so we wouldn't miss it. Even though it was in the teens outside Luke was running around having a blast! He was a little upset that he couldn't go in the temple that night. Lukers loved calling out all the different colors he saw. This year he is really into the nativity scene and loved seeing the big nativity scenes that were there!

Meet Jolly

This morning when Luke woke up Mark told him that he heard an elf in our house last night. While I got breakfast ready Luke and Mark went looking through the house for the elf and found him sitting on our kitchen table. The Elf had a note and book for Luke. We sat down and ate a North Pole breakfast while Mark read the book to Luke.

The first job in the book was name our Elf. Luke first suggested his friends Kash and Izzy. We told him to think of a Christmas name and he said, "Fine, how about Jolly?" So now our Elf is Jolly. He'll be watching Luke and reporting to Santa each night. Luke has been struggling with yelling at us lately. Today when he yelled at us we reminded him that Jolly was watching and would tell Santa tonight. He started to cry and asked if he could give Jolly a hug and tell him sorry... don't mind mom and dad that he just yelled at! Hopefully Jolly will help over the next few weeks and the magic doesn't wear off!

And The Stockings Were Hung

My cute Great Grandma always made these felt stockings for us when we were little. When Luke was born my mom decided to carryon the tradition and make one for Luke. I decided that I should probably make one for Mark so that we could each have one. I wish I could say that I got right on it and had it done the first year Luke was born...not even close. I am not good with projects that I can't complete in one maybe two days. This poor stocking took me three years to finish. I kept putting it away and finding other projects that sounded more interesting. This year I was determined to have it done and hanging on the mantel. Obviously, my stocking was made when I was born and the patterns have changed a bit. Mark thinks that I need to make a new stocking for me now to match his and Luke's. I love my stocking because my grandma made it! It's fun having our three stockings hanging on the mantel and knowing that Grammie is in charge of making the rest.

Thanksgiving Party

This Thanksgiving we were with the Lamb family. Nothing better than spending Thanksgiving at a hotel with over 100 of your relatives! That's what Luke thinks now. He is still talking about what a good time he had there..."Best day eva." The Lamb family is my dad's extended side of the family. I don't think it's Mark's favorite thing to do, but he still manages to have a good time.

We spend two days at the hotel playing games, swimming, and eating. The first night Luke was too excited to take a nap. He kept laying in our hotel room asking where all his cousins were. Not only did he not get a nap that day, but he stayed up until 12:30 that night. Finally, when we forced him up to the room he had a hard time winding down. Luke kept telling us about the fun day he had and how much he loved his cousins. The next morning when his little eyes finally opened I told him we were going to eat breakfast but he said he didn't have time to eat, he needed to go find his cousins. It was a fun Thanksgiving and we are sad it is over. Luke will have to wait another two years for the Thanksgiving party.