Christmas Goodies...

Project #1: Bake Gingerbread Cookies - try to stuff as many "RedHots" on one cookie as possible, followed by oodles of icing. Oh, and be sure to eat three RedHots for every one you smoosh into a cookie. That's the best way!








Project #2: Make a Christmas Tree out of green handprint-cutouts. Enthusiasm for the project only lasts about 3 minutes so glue on as many as you can; then just leave the rest for Mom. If you encounter trouble mastering your fine-motor skills, it's quite helpful to stick out your tongue. Try it, it really works!





Project #3: Survive a sitting on Santa's lap at the Ward Christmas party. While he might seem a little intimidating, he really is a jolly good fellow - we got a bag of treats from him to prove it. That alone made the uncomfortable visit totally worth it...



Project #4: Welcome Uncle Kirk home from his mission to Calgary Alberta Canada. Our parents say Kirk didn't grow or change a bit over the last two years, but we sure look a lot different to him - we can talk, walk, and wrestle him now! We get along pretty great and had no problems warming right up to him. Uncles sure are great!







Project #5: Enjoy Christmas at Grandma and Grandpa Stapley's house. Indulge in watching LOTS of Christmas movies, playing outside, eating DELICIOUS food, munching on peppernuts, etc. Christmas Eve we followed some traditions that Mom is accustomed to - (1) having "Cheeseball Fights" (this was totally new to us, but so awesome. They said that you can't find the same exact cheeseball puffs that they used growing up. Aunt Holly found a comparable item but they are ginormous; one barely fits inside a grown-ups mouth so it's kind of hard to aim good enough to throw it into someones else's mouth. Makes for a good game and some great laughs). (2) Act out the nativity - all you need is a bunch of pillowcases, towels, and ties, and baby doll, and the Bible. (3) Open one present Christmas Eve. (4) Set out cookies and milk for Santa and carrots for his reindeer.












My parents made all the little boys their own wooden horse to go along with the wooden rifles they got for birthdays this year. They are a BIG hit!