Party

We had our ward Christmas Party this morning.  9:00 a.m.  On a Saturday.  I'm impressed we were all dressed.  Needless to say it was a breakfast, and it was really yummy.  

 There was a program which included a primary gathering on the stage.  I asked Aubree if she wanted to go up and sing with everyone.  She took one look at the stage and said nope.  :)

 Then there was a violin trio.  It was very beautiful.

 Followed by a quintet.  Also beautiful.

 Aubree had fun coloring,

 Proof that I was there too :)

 The best part of the breakfast was watching Aubree reunite with her boyfriend, Will.  He is in town for Christmas, and she is just enamored with him.

 Then, later, we went to Sherlock Holmes with my Aunt and Uncle.  (while my two sisters watched the girls in shifts)  It was pretty good.  Not my favorite, but worth seeing...

It was a good day.

Christmas program

Firstly, Aubree got this cute ornament from her teacher.  I love the picture!  It was from her school picture day.  I still need to scan that into the computer because it is so cute.  

 Anyway, today was Aubree's school Christmas Program.  She was SO excited.  She practiced her songs and was ready to go.  I didn't get a great picture, but she looked adorable.

 She was all smiles.

 Then we got there.  O boy.  She wanted N.O.T.H.I.N.G. to do it.  I walked her up to her seat and left her there, facing the wall.  She was not a happy camper.  Forget singing and using actions.  I was just glad she stayed up there.  She faced the wall for a few songs, and then she turned around.  You can see her here on the very right edge about halfway up.  She looked like she was ready to run down at any second.  But, she was brave and stayed the whole time.

 About every other song, her teacher would lean over and encourage her to sit down, or sing, or use actions, or props....but to no avail.

 As soon as it was over she was all smiles again.  She ran to Dad, and was super happy it was over.  I was super sad...but maybe another year...

Christmas tree and Little Santa

We always had the tradition of getting a real tree every year when I was a kid.  It is one of my favorite traditions we did.  So I am a stickler about doing it with our kids.  Last year we decided to get a fake tree, so we could put it up right away and have it last all month long.   Although I wasn't about to give up my tradition.  So this year (and every following year) we will pick out a little (real) tree for the kids to decorate.  About a week into December, so it will last until Christmas.  We made a whole night out of it.  We had a FHE lesson focused on Christ and the real meaning.  We listed to music and I could really feel the spirit.  I know the girls did too cause (toward the end) they were quiet as can be and really listening.  I love those moments as a Mom to teach my kids.

For some reason I decided to introduce "Elf on the Shelf" tonight too...and right after our nice spiritual lesson.  I may be weird, but it just felt so wrong telling them blatant lies that I want them to believe right after telling them about Christ, that I want them to believe....Next year I think I'll do it different nights so it doesn't seem so evil.  :)  Nobody is scarred from the lies of their parents regarding Christmas, right?  So they named our Elf "Little Baby Santa Clause"  I call him Little Santa.  Aubree is WAY to smart though.  She was asking me ALL Sorts of questions about him.  Does he REALLY fly to the Santa every night, FOR REAL MOM?  Will I see him flying out my window?  He can really hear us?  Are his little ears real?  They really work like our ears?  He will never say "Hi" to us, but he can talk?  Man I was feeling guiltier by second every time I answered.  I kept using the words "Christmas magic" as if that made it not a lie to believe in the "magic".   We'll see how it goes...

So we picked our little tree.  Once I told Aubree we could go back in the warm store as soon as we picked out which on we wanted, she pointed to the first one she saw...and since Sophie agreed...it was that easy.  Dave had the job of setting it up.

Aubree quickly snagged the star and patiently waited until it was time to decorate.

Soph was just chill.  And already stripped down and waiting.

As soon as the ornaments came out they were ready.  It was so cute to watch them.  This is the first year they have really been into it.  I strung the lights on, and put up maybe three ornaments.  They did the rest.

They found their princess ornaments from last year,

And both girls just stared at them for a minute.

Family photo shoot

I LOVE having talented sisters.  Carlee (just younger than me) is an EXCELLENT photographer.  I asked her if she would take our family pictures.  We usually get them around summer time.  But I was too lazy, so I thought we'd just do it in the Fall and use them for our Christmas card also.  I LOVE how they turned out.  She did a beautiful job.  Here are a few of my favorites. 

This is classic Callister family.  Dave chillin', Soph chillin', Aubs being crazy, and Me watching.  I love that not only did she capture a beautiful shot to use, but also our personalities.

If you want to see more of her work ('cause she's amazing) her blog is HERE. 

The Festival of Trees

We went to the Festival of Trees tonight with Dave's sister and her little girl.  We end up missing it about every other year, 'cause I forget that it ends so soon.  I'm happy that we had the chance to go, spend time with family, and give back a little to support Primary Children's. 

 Addie was shy all night. 

We went pretty late at night, and on a school night, so they were tired from the moment we arrived.

But still had so much fun.  First stop was the balloon clowns.  Sophie wanted a hornet..

She got one, on a "stick"

Aubree, a candy cane

And Addie, a pink lizard!

They were content to sit back and look at all the beautiful trees.

Golf tree

"Up" tree.  This was my favorite of the night.  Aubree told me later that it was hers, and Sophie also.  They paid attention to every detail.. It was fun to look at all the little accessories.

A Christmas Story

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Tinker Bell

Another AMAZING tree was the Tangled tree.  I loved the whole set up, from the floating lanterns, to her paints, book, chess set and signs.  Sophie was SO excited she bolted right under the rope and started to touch everything :) Dave got her before she did any damage

The girls were just kind of in awe, 

And Soph had to be content looking from behind the rope :)

We all had a great night, and I can't wait for the rest of our Christmas traditions.