25 Days of Christmas

For the last few years we have tried to keep up with Tradition and do something each day in December leading up to Christmas! It can be a little overwhelming as a mom to do this, but this year I decided to Keep It Simple! My kids are happy doing anything really so I have been making sure each day to do something, even if it's really small, to enjoy these days leading to Christmas! It comes so fast, we have to enjoy it as much as we can!

We started with playing board games, watching Christmas movies,  writing letters to Santa, and have done a few easy crafts. The kids love it and I love feeling like we are actually doing fun things together, instead of always yelling at each other!

 One evening we went to the Rexburg Temple to see the Nativity. Leighton thought the donkey was real and talked to him for a solid 20 minutes! The weather this December has been Amazing! We were able to walk around the Temple for a little bit and let the kids check everything out. 

 Then one evening we drove around and looked at lights, this is one of our favorite things to do, we do it at least 3-4 times! It's strange to see our home this time of year with no snow!

 And then we did a little crafting. I made a quick Fake snow globe, while the kids did some painting.

 We also went to Rigby's Midnight Madness parade, it was so fun. There was a light parade that ended with Santa in a Fire Truck, the kids LOVED it! There was free hot chocolate everywhere and the weather was perfect! It made me pretty happy that we live this small Idaho hometown. 

 And of course we have been to lots of Family Parties! This year the Taylor (Grandpa Marks side of the family) did a Country Christmas Party complete with a mechanical bull! Yes, I rode the bull! I thought I did awesome until I watched the video then I was just embarrassed! Mack was amazing and rode it again and again! He even came in 3rd place in the kids category- he was up against his 12 & 14 year old cousins! And Randall was in the finals with his brother Richard and a couple cousins, he injured himself during the ride and bailed- or so he says!! But it was so much fun. Leighton sat on this rocking horse the entire night and had the time of her life! 

 Our Uncle Jay and Aunt Deidre went out of their way this year with all the games and activities, it was a blast. 

We still have plans to make and decorate sugar cookies, pick out gifts for our family exchange, visit the IF Temple, see a live Nativity, see the Ligthts at Temple Square, and go on a few more sleigh rides! But with only 14 DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS I hope we get it all done!! 

This year has FLOWN by! My kids are growing faster than ever and I can't seem to keep up with everything that is going on! One day at a time- I just keep telling myself that over and over!