Christmas 2016

Merry Christmas Eve Morning!!  We had a great time.  This was really the most fun Christmas so far.  Ruby and Owen worked tirelessly throughout December to create, wrap, and put gifts of their own under the tree for Mindy, Chip, and I.  It was very sweet, thoughtful and kind.  We actually had so many things to open, and they were so patient and grateful along the way that they asked to stop at one point and "be done" even though there were things left under the tree.  We couldn't believe it.  I mean, if I could have willed an attitude and spirit around Christmas, this would be it.  Maybe they picked up on it from Chip and I.  Anyway, we went to Christmas Eve service later in the evening and then came home and finally finished opening things before going to bed.

Ruby and Owen know that Santa is a story, that they are now "santas", and that we still get to play along and be part of the stories, including asking for one special gift from "santa".  This was Ruby's pick, the carebear.  A little bonus came too.  She loved it.   Owen chose a nerf gun (actually was Ruby's suggestion, which was pretty cute.  They love to claim that they know each other best so it was cute that he took her suggestion).  I can't stand guns, and we usually buy them, but that was his one request and it is pretty fun, I have to admit. 

 

Oh my goodness.  These masks kill me.  Mindy brought them for us from Peru.  More fun pictures with them to come.

Ruby and Owen are so blessed to get gifts from grandparents and aunts and uncles.

This was one of the gifts Owen put under the tree, a note from him thanking dad for saving lives.  I had no idea he come up with something like this.  Melts my heart.

And this, pictures, notes, things to hang, all from Ruby.  She even drew me a picture of us surfing together, cause it's my new favorite thing to do.  I was so touched by all this.

Pictures are out of order now it looks like, oh well.  Here we are at the hospital Christmas day visiting dad.  Mindy took this photo.  She was there too and helped me entertain the kids with their new games from her, "flippin chickens", and "guess who".  Big hits already.

On Christmas Eve we went to a service at the Unitarian Church in Salt Lake.  Owen filled out the welcome pamphlet.  Where is asks, "how did you find out about us?"  He wrote, "I've been here".  Ha!! I love how his mind works.  I like how he added the sunshine to the photo of the church too.

Speaking of how Owen's mind works, he build his first three lego projects all by himself the day after Christmas.  Here are two of them.  I was so proud of him.

Mindy brought these amazingly adorable sweaters from Peru for Ruby and Owen.  I ended up getting one too!  Ruby can't stop wearing hers.  Its a favorite for sure.

Snuggle time!

Christmas Eve we went sledding!  The conditions were awesome and it was great to get out on our usual run. :)

Most awkward family photo ever. 

Mindy took Ruby skiing on Christmas day while Owen stayed home building legos.  They made a few sick runs including sidewinder, which is quite steep, but no problem for this girl!

Ruby has been taking music classes with Ms Janet and learned a bunch of Christmas songs on the keyboard, I pulled out my flute the other day and have been brushing up on that too.  So, we played a few duets!