December

We had a fun night watching the play "A Christmas Carol"

We hosted a Christmas kid camp fundraiser to raise money for families in need. It was a lot of fun.

Making frosting

She worked so hard on this

fun with neighbors

For some reason they were rollerblading to the stop sign at the end of the road, setting up their camping chairs and hanging out. (Sammy, I don't know if you read this blog but if so, does this remind you of something we used to do when we were around their age?)

We transformed the playroom into a "hangout" room.

Making slushees from real snow

Eliza and I had fun sledding together.

Ninjabread man cookies

The fun sledding hill at the park

Andrew and friends

santa's helper

We invited over a few people for a Christmas recital 

sledding during preschool

We had our own family Christmas gift exchange before we left for Seattle

We got to watch this cutie for a couple of days

Hannah's big present from mom and dad was a sewing machine

This makes me smile

Acting out the nativity- Mary and Jesus

This kid was sick for most of December I think

We lit our candles and shared our testimony of the Savior. It was a special night. I'm so very grateful for my Savior Jesus Christ. I loved studying his life in the New Testament this year and realizing more than ever the true joys and peace and hope of the gospel. 

Ethans big present this year was this big lego ninjago ship (which actually isn't lego but a Chinese knock off brand- we found Ali express and love it for providing the same sets for a cheaper price).

Christmas in Seattle!

We haven't done our downtown Seattle Christmas tradition for many years

carousel with cousins

visiting santa at "Enchanted"

All the cousins

All the siblings

We were lost in the maze trying to find the rest of the family.

Cousins...poor Andrew was sick almost the whole trip so didn't get too much cousin time

The girls ice skated for their first time and were both naturals, they loved it!

Santa found us at Grandmas house

We loved spending time with cousins, including cute little Addy

Grandpas's traditional eggs benedict Christmas breakfast- yum!

I love this Melanie and Hannah dessert planning pic

Aunt Melanie let Hannah make apple pie and it was so delicious!

My kids are lucky to have such great cousins

cute baby Simone

baking with Grandma

they made really yummy cookies

Preparing lunch- We were blessed to be able to spend some time serving a lunch for those in need. I loved talking to the people who came through the line, they were so grateful and kind to the kids. When talking to my kids afterwards this was one of their favorite things we did. They loved being able to experience it alongside their cousins. Thanks for setting it up Aunt Jen!

Grandpa was with us also!

Daniel visited some friends and he saw this herd of elk on the side of the road as he drove home through the mountains.

The Spanton family Christmas party white elephant gift exchange was a lot of fun as usual.

cousins painting ceramics- thanks GG!