'Tis the Season...

For acting out the Nativity....

Last Saturday our family was asked to help out with the Nativity play at our ward Christmas party. I'm the donkey if you're wondering what I'm doing just sitting there, Mer rode onto the stage on my back. Mer is Mary, Max is Joseph, and Jack was a king with his friend Jake.

For Making Gingerbread houses...

Our friends the Lewis' came over to make them with us for FHE last week. Everyone had way too much candy and Hot chocolate but loved every minute. Plus we got to visit with friends we haven't seen in a while

For Dancing...
Max danced in his Holidays Around the World concert last Friday. His class did a dance from India. It was awesome. I tried to upload a clip but after an hour and a half I gave up. Max, added "After we were done with all the songs, we had juice and cookies in our classroom. It was fun"

For Caroling...Last night we carried on the family tradition of caroling to neighbors and friends. The requirement was that everyone participate in the singing and you could have hot chocolate. Max and Jack pulled it off and proudly earned there cocoa. We sand Away in the Manger, Silent night, and We Fish you a Harry Christmoose while we were walking away. We gave out delicious Cream Cheese Pound Cake

Merry Christmas!! We are super excited for Santa and are wondering what he'll bring

The End of an Era

Doug finally gave in to his baldness and buzzed his head tonight. It is an end of an era. He asked the kids to do it for him and told them to put on clothes that could get hairy. I thought it ironic that Mer put on her big shirt with Doug's high school picture on it. A picture of Doug with a beautiful, lustrous, thick head of hair. The one that says "Sorry guys she's taken" that Micah and Laurel so lovingly made for me in college.

The kids had fun cutting Dad's hair. Even Jack took a few swipes.

What do you think?? Nice huh? I love it.

World Race day

We participated in World Race Day today. Our friend Annee in Korea organized it. Doug is training for a marathon and ran 15, Sarah ran 5 and Meredith ran 1 mile. Doug is clearly recovering from waking up early to do it. Too bad for him we woke him up as we were whispering around him. Jack to the pic. and needed a bit of instruction.

An Look Liz!! Thanks for the idea. I love it.

Its a day for Christmas Parties, We are going to Doug's work party and later tonight our family is helping put on the nativity play at our ward Christmas party. Me and Max will be Mary and Joseph. Jack's going to be a wise man even though he really wants to be Joseph

Our Thanksgiving

Okay, so since it's been over a week since thanksgiving happened I thought I better share some of our photos. We drove to Atlanta to visit Doug's family. Grandma Bev was able to join us from Utah and finally meet Luke. It was fun to see everyone. The night we came in we had dinner with Mike and Sher.

The next day was Thanksgiving.

Doug started out the day early running the Atlanta Half Marathon!! He ran it in 1:37!

We brought a banner that Max and Mer made to decorate.

Meredith set the table and made placecards and napkin rings.

Everyone helped make dinner. Check out that turkey!!

We gave thanks and had a feast.

Later we went on a walk. Mer and Max were so excited to be able to crunch in the fallen leaves, something we have few of in Florida.

Doug even got in a little skate time

Friday morning Grandpa made his puppy pancakes

We went to the mall and rode the "Pink Pig", Grandpa and Luke sat out, no babies allowed. Doug was a little humiliated that a ticket was purchased for him to sit by himself.



Later the kids played outside, raked leaves to jump in and rolled down the hill in the back yard. Brandma Bev even got in on the action and pitched a few to Max.

All said and done it was a great thanksgiving vacation!!

The car ride home was a two hours longer than expected (just like on the way up) ugh!! This was the view in the back seat as the kids watched their one movie before the laptop battery wore out.

We had tons of fun but are glad to be home getting ready for Christmas.