Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve Program

For a few years now I have wanted to do a reenactment of the Birth of the Savior, and I finally got all my ducks in a row this year to pull it off. I was a simple program seeing that it involved a 6, 4 and 2 year old. We had a great time and as you can see even Trey got into it as well. I look forward to many more years of continuing this new tradition. I have experimented with a few new "possible traditions" this season and look forward to keeping some of them going!

Don't you just want to squeeze him? Believe it or not he is even cuter in real life, but beware he is also as head strong as they come (more on that subject later).

Christmas Eve Dinner

After our family activities were done we met our good friends the Kraffts for a wonderful dinner. We have said it a thousand times and will say it a thousand more, we love this family and are so thankful for how warmly they greeted us to Maryland and really enjoy their company.

No Christmas Eve is complete with out a reading of "The Night Before Christmas"

We had a wonderful evening!

I had to include this. Brynlee went around the tree several days ago and added tags and card to the Christmas gifts. She was so proud of what she had done, and she did an excellent job if I do say so my self. That girl sure is growing fast, I love watching all the creative things she does!

Santa had some excellent cookies this year. In fact here is the recipe to those delicious things! I think the reindeer enjoyed their food as well!

We Love December

Christmas is not complete without Cookies!

We found a new roll out cookie recipe that I think is going to be a keeper! I plan on making this a tradition. The girls absolutely love doing these kind of things with me, which makes me So happy! Addy told me the other day that she wants to do all the stuff I do. (they tell me stuff like this all the time, which makes me happy, but also makes me think...) Oh the recipe is from Clover Lane, its here.

Santa and Ward Christmas Party

Santa showed up to the Church Christmas party. It was the first year Addy was ok with St. Nick and Trey wanted nothing to do with him, which is right in line with the past Dalley Child history with Santa Claus!

Brynlee had a speaking part for the Church program and she did a fabulous job!

Devotionals

It's hard to see the bells in this photo, but they each have one. This year we are starting a new tradition that is a forever and always keeper in this family. This is our 24 days of Christmas Nightly Devotional and it will get it's own post later on.

Gingerbread Houses

It's not Christmas with out Ginger bread house making. Even Trey got into this and loved it. He thought he was is heaven when I put him on the table and let him have at it. I am having so much fun with the kids this year. As a mother this is really what Christmas is about, "enjoying the moments". I am trying to soak it all in and not get too wrapped up in the stress!

Oh and Happy Birthday Meme!

DC Visitors Center

This place brings back many good memories! I love going to Temple Visitors' Centers, they make me feel right at home! It's amazing at how a flood of memories wash through my head when I walk into one. I served for 1 1/2 years at the Los Angeles Temple Visitors' Center and it forever changed my life! Needless to say this is a very special place for me to back and visit and with my family makes it all the more better.

Karen got a good shot of us with the beautiful Washington DC temple in the back!

Most of the Temple grounds are full of lights.

This is part I like the best! The lights and the nativity room are all wonderful but the Christus is like nothing else. The spirit I felt in deep measure on my mission is vividly brought back when I see the Christus and listen to the message. Even though I only heard it in Spanish that night the spirit I felt was no less. I wish I could put into words what kind of peace this brings. I truly am grateful to have this month to focus a little closer on the Savior. I am thankful for His life, which brings each of us life!