Christmas 2014

As usual, we enjoyed the Christmas season this year.

Blake loves to copy Will.

Toward the beginning of December, we had our ward Christmas party, as well as our Woolsey Family dinner party.

I tried to take a picture of the two of them together, but this is as close as they would get to each other.

So I had to settle with just Will and I.

The Woolsey party was at Golden Corral. We were still pretty full from our ward party, but it was lots of fun and the kids got spoiled. Will got this karaoke machine that he absolutely loves.

And Blake got a book that makes noises and some other fun girl things.

The Sunday before Christmas, my mom drove down from Cedar City to come to my ward Christmas Program. Cindy, Kim, and Donny also came. I am in my ward choir and was really excited about the music we would be preforming. I hadn't heard any of the songs before, and they were all so amazing, I really wanted to share it with as many people as possible.

I loved having them there to support me. It meant a lot to me, and I really appreciated that everyone was willing to come. And of course Will loved having some of his cousins around to play with.

We had been unsure of our actual Christmas plans for a while, but thought that we would probably stay home and do our own Christmas then go up to Grandma and Grandpa Hinton's later Christmas morning. But there was talk about a storm heading in Christmas morning, and we decided not to risk it and we headed up Christmas Eve. We got to spend more time with family, and not be alone and boring. Yay!

One of Blake's favorite activities is wiping things down with rags. Whenever I am cleaning, she asks for a rag and likes to help right alongside me.

Will thought the stockings were actual socks and was happy to wear them as such.

Once I pulled my black camera out, it was a fight of who would get to use it. Will enjoyed taking about 200 pictures. It was amusing going through and seeing all of the things he took pictures of.

The kids got some matching jammies. I tried taking some pictures in them, but they were not super excited about pictures and were not very cooperative.

On Christmas Eve, we had a little family Christmas program. Those who wanted to participate could play something for us. Kaitlyn is amazing (no surprise) on the piano.

Julie sure seemed to enjoy it. ;)

Melissa had the extra difficulty of trying to incorporate Blake's random notes to make them sound like they were supposed to be there. Way to go Melissa!

Garrett and Grandpa Hinton played a musical number on their guitars, accompanied by Julie's vocals.

Lance and I chose to hide our talents under a bushel. Pathetic, I know.

Unlike in Christmas' past, we slept in until 7am this year. Hallelujah! Then we were up and ready for presents. Blake got a vast array of dolls, doll accessories, etc.

Will got a shopping cart, cash register, as well as other things to go with those, such as play food and cookware for his play kitchen.

The kids are at a fun age and were excited to open the presents. But they were also just excited to roll in all of the wrapping paper. Goof balls.

The storm came as predicted, though it wasn't as bad as it could have been. Even so, I'm glad we chose to come up early and avoid it. Will was happy to go outside and help shovel the driveway.

I was spoiled with lots of books, clothes, and gift certificates.

Lance got clothes for work, as well as this Aggie t-shirt quilt that I made for him.

Lance worked bright and early the day after Christmas, so we weren't able to stay very long. We were able to go see the final Hobbit movie, and enjoy a delicious Christmas dinner, then we headed back home where Santa had left some presents for us to open.

Grandma Joy got Lance and Will this fun basketball thing. Will was so excited.


He is a good little shooter and would jump up and down and scream every time he made a shot (which was more often than not).

Hope everyone else enjoyed the holidays as well.