The Parentals were here!

My Parents flew in on the 22nd and we spent as much time with them as we possibly could.  The kids LOVE being with my parents so we make sure we are right with them as much as possible.

Js Class Christmas Party

Js class also had a Christmas party.  Since I am one of the room moms, I got to help lots for this.  The funny thing is tho, I didnt take any pics of J.  But they did lots of fun stuff too.  Decorating cookies, making ornaments, having hot cocoa.  Fun and Yum!!

Havens Class Christmas Party

I got to help in Havens class for her Christmas party.  Part of it was quite comical!  They played a game that they had to swap a gift each time the word Gingerbread was said.  It was so funny!  They didnt quite get it.  But they managed through it.  Then Santa came for a visit.  The kids all loved that.  Lastly they went through some stations where they decorated Christmas cookies and did fun crafts.

Playing the game

With Santa

Decorating cookies

December 16th - A special morning and super fun night!

Our Christmas service for our church was held on the 16th because we always have home church on the Sunday closest to Christmas.  We had a special service that included a candle lighting and lots of singing.  The kids got to participate too which I think was nice.

Lighting Candles

Our Family

Then afterward we had some food as a church body and even got to dress up and take crazy pictures.

Family crazy picture

 That night was our Life Group Christmas party.  It sure was a fun time.  We shared a traditional Christmas meal then did a gift exchange and finished up with some games.  It sure was a Super Fun time!!

Yum!

Gift Exchange

All our iPhones.  Everyone in the group has one.

Just some games ;)

Our Group - Love these people!!

Jingle Bell Run

Early (well, not to early compared to the one we did on Thanksgiving) on Saturday morning the 15th, Neil and I went for a little run.....with about 2000 other people down Christmas Tree Lane.  We were all decked out in our finest of Christmas bells and attire.  I just wore bells tho.....the free ones they gave us for signing up for the 5K.  Fun times!!

Kids Christmas Programs

But of course they are not called Christmas Programs, they are called Winter Holiday Program.  Lame!  Well anyways, we call it Christmas program at our house and I make a point to say that to the kids at school when Im helping in the class ;)

My kids had programs on different nights.  Js was on Tuesday which is 1st through 6th grade.  He did really well.  The only exception was in the beginning before they started he was putting bunny ears on the boy in front of him.  Not to bad, considering prior years.

J is the 7th one in from the right on the top

 Hs was on Thurs night and the kindergarten is so big that they even seperated the am class from the pm class.  H was being very difficult before the program started but once it started she was all about doing her motions and singing her songs.

H was right in front but was being sour

Fun times!

Havens "Gingerbread" house

The day after we got back from Disneyland Havens class had planned to make their gingerbread houses.  Haven technically wasnt supposed to be at school because she was on independent study from us being gone, but I still wanted her to do the activity so we went to school just for it.

We met her class in the MPR and they had everything all set up.  Each child was supposed to have a parent or someone there to help them.

We got our spot and went to work.  I say gingerbread in quotes because its not gingerbread .:sigh:.  They use an old milk carton as the from and then we use frosting to stick graham crackers to the sides.  Next Haven got to decorate it after we did another layer of frosting.

H and me

The supplies

All finished :)

Its fun and oh so tasty, even if its not gingerbread.  :)