Christmas Break (December 2016)

So, the day after school got out (HALELUJAH!) the youth had their semi-annual trip up to the Birmingham, Alabama temple. Great way to start out Christmas break.  With it being a 4 hour drive away, it's pretty much an all day road trip.  But of course the kids like hanging out together, and having the chance to be with the youth when they perform baptisms for the dead is amazing.  This was Analise's first youth temple trip, which made it even more special.

During winter break Aly took full advantage of her non-homework free time to be social.  There were youth activities/dances/game nights . . . 

. . . ice skating and shopping (yes, you heard right.  Ice skating in Florida.  The rink is kinda lame by normal standards, but better than nothing if you're trying to get into a winter wonderland spirit in 60-70 degree weather) . . . 

. . . and seeing movies and getting ice cream.  Lotsa good times.

Meanwhile, while Aly was out with friends, the rest of the family was busy making some Christmas memories of our own.  We went to this sort of indoor "Christmas town" put on by a local lady. It was fun to see lots of Christmas lights and there were some really neat train exhibits, but a lot of it just looked like a bunch of creepy 60's and 70's Christmas collectibles.  It's like Chris said, "This reminds me of Grandma decorations."  It was fun to get out nonetheless.

Lise had many elaborate plans of how she wanted to spend her Christmas break.  She dedicated a whole day for baking lots of different kinds of cookies while watching a bunch of TV Christmas specials.  (I told her I would help with the cookies, but not be in charge.)  She planned on making 5 different types of cookies, but after getting through the gingerbread and sugar cookies decided she'd done enough.  (I hear ya, Lise, I hear ya. We don't need any more sugar floating around here anyway!)  After being cooped up inside, it was nice to get some fresh 70 degree air.  Here's Lise and Kate trying to reenact Napoleon Dynamite  - or Santa with his reindeer, I forget which.

We took the kiddos to see Moana, which was a big hit, as were all the Christmas decorations in this huge outdoor mall.  Kids go crazy with the excitement of it all - running, jumping, shouting - and climbing on fire hydrants and light poles. ;P

I also took the girls skating one afternoon.  We chose regular skating over ice skating.  Bigger rink, Cheaper Prices.  'Nuff said.

And then of course there was the massive wrapping of the presents.  Kate said she wanted "a HUGE present".  (She said that last year as well, which was when I got her a gigantic Tupperware bin for her Legos.)  Well, there were two legit humongo presents under the tree, as I was getting new luggage for Christmas, but I didn't want the girls to be upset that Mom was getting the biggest presents.  So . . . I wrapped one of each of the girl's smaller presents into an enormous box with enormous amounts of padding.  This definitely served its purpose in sending excitement levels through the roof. 

Lots of crazy captions made their appearances on the wrapping paper again this year.  They're so "pun"ny!!  ;P

So, what do you do when it's 70 sum odd degrees outside on Christmas Eve?  Why, go to the beach, of course!

It was a super relaxing way to spend Christmas Eve - loved the sunshine!  The girls had fun making sand "snow"men

After cleaning up from the beach it was time to get the Christmas Festivities underway.  Of course we kicked it off with a delicious dinner followed by a Spiritual Program and our White Stocking tradition.  Then it was on to setting things up for Santa.  

Kate made a copy for Santa of this awesome reindeer picture she had drawn along with the following letter:

Dear Santa,
I don't care what you bring me but make it big (and mabey something in my interest).
Yours truly,
Kathryn O'Gwin
P.S. Can I also have ONE piece of coal?

Kate had told me that she was going to ask Santa for Coal a few days ahead of time and we had the following conversation:

Me - Why do you want a piece of coal?  Do you think you've been a little naughty this year?
Kate - Well, maybe.  But I want to turn it into a diamond!
Me - Um, you realize it takes a lot of pressure and heat to do that, right?
Kate - Yeah.  That's why I'm going to bury it in the backyard in the summer.

Love her honesty, candor, and logic.  Love, love, love that girl.

Kylie's letter to Santa:

Dear Santa,
I want Shopkins and a Shopy-Shopy and a barbie campout. [Camper] Santa what do you want for Christmas. (I left a riding plase [writing place] for you down there.

This year Christmas was on a Sunday, so we weren't sure if we'd have time to open all of our presents before our 11 am church.  But Kate made sure that we woke up at 6:30, so we were good. ;P Let the present opening begin!

Kylie was super excited about the trampoline Santa brought "for the family".  She had to open all her presents while sitting on it.  She was also super excited when she got everything that she asked Santa for. ;)

Chris got a mini hovercraft so he'd have something to play with while Aly and Lise were opening "boring presents" like clothes.  Hahaha.

Kate got lots of things to keep her mind busy - Like a one piece puzzle (she had it done in less than 5 minutes),  Legos galore (those took a little bit longer) and K'nex.  So far she's made a Ferris Wheel, a fishing rod, an elephant, a giraffe, and a car.

I also got a puzzle - this one is from my childhood.  It is a bloopers puzzle that I did with my best friend when I lived in Mexico.  Memories!!  (I finished my puzzle within a couple of hours. ;)> )

So, another successful Christmas for 2017.  Merry Christmas from Florida, y'all!