Tessa in a box
We thought we would be Christmas-y and visit Santa at our City Office Building. We definitely didn't plan ahead though and it was SUPER crowded (the line for Santa was hours long so I talked the boys out of it) and it was all outside. For some reason I didn't realize this so we all only had sweatshirts on. So we were FREEZING. We didn't last long but we DID get some mediocre free hot chocolate (Well, less than half a cup each) and meet Santa's reindeer. The kids didn't seem to mind too much. :)
On our way back to our car we ran into Elsa. Tessa was really shy, but Elsa was good at talking to her and she did answer a few questions. Tessa still talks about this encounter to this day. She thought it was so neat. After we left Tessa exclaimed "But she didn't sing her song!" Haha.
After dealing with a pretty cheap, lame stroller for three kids, I decided that I wanted a nice one for our last baby. Especially since we will still get several good years out of it. It came in the mail right before it was time to take the boys to preschool so we had a perfect excuse to try it out. It was a DREAM! It was such a smooth ride and the big tires went over the uneven sidewalk easily. Then on the way home when Tessa wanted to help push, the handle adjusted to her level so she was able to actually push instead of just hanging on the stroller. I am in love. I haven't had a chance to use the stroller since though because it has been too cold. I am really excited to pull it back out in the Spring.
The kids always feel the need to stop and take a picture on this bench. :)
I finally got around to sewing more kitchen towels. I have had the supplies for months and our other kitchen towels were getting really dingy and gross after 6 years of use. I love how these turned out and that they won't fall to the floor and go missing.
I also decided to finally make stockings for our family. It was really hard to find six different but coordinating fabrics but I succeeded! I love how they turned out. Cooper is showing you which stocking is his. :)
Bennett in his speed boat or airplane. I can't remember which. :)
Bennett was pitching a fit one day and slammed his door shut when I sent him to time out. Five minutes later when I tried to let him out, the door was locked and refused to become unlocked. I took off the handle and still couldn't figure it out. I put it back on and tried to unlock it until I had blisters on my fingers. I was so frustrated that Jason ended up coming home from work to try to help me. While he was on his way, I FINALLY figured out how to open the dang door. Bennett didn't seem phased too much, but being pregnant I was pretty emotional and frustrated. Jason put the handle back on but it hasn't been the same since. Silly kid...
Tessa received a new Christmas dress from Grandma Sharp in the mail. As soon as she tried it one she declared herself a princess!
Jason's work party this year was at Costco again. We had live entertainment and heavy refreshments before heading into the store. Each employee received a $150 gift card to spend that night and there were a few ways to earn prizes. We didn't win anything and decided to go practical with our gift card so we did our usual Costco shopping. We DID end up buying the kids a fun looking sled though. We haven't had a chance to try it out yet due to lack of snow.
I have decided to branch out with Tessa's hair every Sunday now and I loved how this hairstyle turned out. She looks so cute!
During singing time one Sunday, Sister Orton played a game with cups and hiding baby Jesus in one of them. Then she mixed them up and they had to guess where Jesus was. Bennett thought it was so fun that as soon as we came home, he asked for some cups so he could play it with his own baby Jesus.
We started a new tradition this year of opening and reading one Christmas book a day leading up to Christmas. The kids took turns picking the book. It was something they looked forward to every night.
We tried to pick books that were centered on the true meaning of Christmas and I feel like it helped the kids stay in the correct mindset. We will be doing it again for sure.
Can I just tell you how much I dread going to the dentist with the kids?? The boys throw up EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. This time I tried to prep them by reminding them to breath through their nose and that seemed to really help. The hygienists brushed and cleaned their teeth with no toothpaste so they didn't have extra stuff in their mouth to gag on and I feel like that helped a ton too. We made it through their whole cleaning without puke! Miracle of miracles! But applying fluoride while Cooper was still lying down did him in. He ended up emptying his entire stomach. Bennett did just fine when we sat him up for the fluoride. So now we know for next time. I have high hopes that there will be zero puke next visit.
My cousin Jenny and her family were visiting for a few days on their way to the midwest. We decided to meet up at the Curiosity Museum and then dinner at the Klippels'.
Bennett
Jason has decided to finish another room in our basement so we can actually have a toy room for the kids. I am so excited! We started by clearing out and selling all of Jason's exercise equipment. We are keeping my treadmill though.
This room is actually going to become my new craft room and an office space for Jason. Then the kids will get my old craft room for their new toy room.
Tessa decided to tease me for a few days and actually go potty in the toilet several times! Then she decided it wasn't for her and is back to diapers. But I can't help but feel like we are getting closer.
Workfront rented out a theater for the new Star Wars movie. It was so good! I really enjoyed it.
Jason's family managed to get tickets for the MoTab Christmas Concert this year. It was so fun!
The week before Christmas the Primary put on a live Nativity for the ward the last 15 minutes of church. It was a little chaotic but I thought all the kids looked so cute in their costumes.
Five days before Christmas it finally snowed and stuck! Even though it was windy and already getting dark outside, the kids wanted to go play in the snow for a little while. I couldn't say no to the first snow, so they had some fun.
Tessa is still quite the little mommy to her babies. She loves feeding them in their high chair and putting them down for naps.
On Christmas Eve I finally finished embroidering our names on the stockings. Like, I was finishing up as we were putting the kids to bed. They definitely didn't turn out perfectly, but I thought they turned out alright for my first attempt at hand-embroidery. It was actually kind of fun and I am thinking I might need to find some other things to embroider now.
