Temple Square Lights

We were so busy during the month of December that we almost missed going to Temple Square to see the lights. We went the Sunday evening before Christmas and it was packed. I think Clara was the only one that enjoyed herself but I'm glad we didn't miss out on this tradition.

 Clara wanted her picture taken by this statue after she saw another group getting their picture taken here.

I love Ben's fake smile here. We were all ready to go home! 

This year, Ben's sister, Melissa and I got together a few times and made the girl cousins matching Christmas dresses. Missie was very patient with me and I loved how they turned out!

Our poor Christmas tree. I can't count how many times it was sat on. I love Christmas but I was excited to take down the tree.

 She is a darling girl. I love how she posed.

Wheeler/Thomas Christmas

We opened gifts with the Thomases a few days before Christmas this year. We ate some dinner together and then opened our gifts. We always love spending time with them and this time was no exception.

Rex got a little help opening his present this year. The Thomases gave him a Roarin' Rex. It's the dinosaur from Toy Story and when you squeeze it, it lets out a silly roar. Rex was a little nervous around it at first.

Clara was so excited to get a dress up Minnie. She spend a good chunk of the evening playing with it in her room.

We gave Tobin a Twilight Turtle and Julian a few 'How to Draw' books. He is becoming quite an artist.

Ben got a new running shirt, Keynan got an iTunes card, TJ got a wallet and Audra and I gave each other scarves and some other little things. TJ and Ben also surprised us with a Christmas gift from our Dad. My Dad arranged ahead of time to send some money to TJ and so we were both able to pick out gifts for our families from Grandma and Papa.

Bowling & Cub Scouts

I've been the Bear Den Leader in our ward for the past 2 years. I got released at the end of December and I wanted to do something fun for our last activity. Bowling! I let Clara bowl while we were there and she was delighted. It was her first time and I'm excited to go back as a family.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

We finally decorated our tree this past Saturday. Only the top half is decorated and it's already been knocked down but it's still pretty. We set up our small tree in Clara's room. Please note Clara's Christmas pajamas from last year. 

First ice cream cone

A while after our Dairy Queen lunch outing, Clara talked Ben into going back. This time, Rex got to try out his first ice cream cone. It was a hit. His face was bright red from the cold but he just kept eating.

Minnie Mouse

Almost everyday, Clara spends some time in her Minnie Mouse dress. On this particular day, she kept saying to Rex, "Marry a princess Rex. Marry a princess." I swear I don't know where she come up with some of the things she says. She was telling me all about what it means to be a princess and then she told me, "Princesses pray Mama. They are just like us." Then she knelt down and said a prayer.