Trip to nowhere

Definition: spent a night at a hotel in Salt Lake City and play. We did it a couple of years ago and the kids loved it so we decided to do it again. Christmas time is the perfect time because it allows us to see the lights at Temple Square at the same time.

We also went to the children's part of the Church history museum. Definitely a highlight for the children.

We finished the trip with a quick morning swim at the hotel and then headed home to celebrate Chrismas Eve at Jane and Marlynn's with Jackie and Jared and the kids.

The Children's Party

Each year Babi (aka grandma) organizes a Christmas party for the grandchildren. This year we had quite a few less kids attending since 7 of them live out of state now. They decorated gingerbread houses and made their Christmas decorations.

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School Christmas sing

Each year around Christmas there is the kids get to sing with their school classes. They did some fun sings and their class had to wear either red or green.

Gingerbread houses

The kids love to decorate them. In the past we have always bought the gingerbread house kits but this year I decided to make them myself. It is so easy to make them yourself and so much cheaper and I think they turn out better because you can decide what type of house you want. Elizabeth ended up with a stable and Thomas wanted a traditional house. We used graham crackers and this recipe for amazing decorating frosting.

A special visitor

Mrs. Claus came to visit Thomas' Talking Time class (speech). He was quite shy when it was his turn to come up and he was also quite surprised at how much she knew about him ;)

Live Nativity in Alpine

We love taking the kids to the live nativity in Alpine. It is a great start to the Christmas season and to emphasize why we celebrate Christmas. 

It is always freezing and everything is outside so we made sure everyone was bundled up. 

They have all kind of animals. They even have camels. 

They have this little Bethlehem village set up in a barn were everyone is dressed up and they show how things were done back in Jesus' time. From baking bread in clay ovens to weaving baskets, spinning wool, making clay pots and lots of other things. 

The last stop is in a separate barn were we got to see Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus. 

And there is yummy hot cocoa at the end. 

Sinterklaas a la Christmas

The presents were wrapped in Christmas paper and were under the tree but at least we celebrated it ;)

Bruce had been on a recently been on a trip to Europe and had a few hour layover in Amsterdam. He was very nice and visited a supermarket to buy all the Sinterklaas goodies and some extra's. What a nice husband :)

We decided to buy each of the kids one present. I had no idea what to buy Emilie and ended up buying her a new sippy cup. She loved it!

 Thomas got a water paint book.

And Elizabeth also got paint supplies. 

Our yummy chocolate letters.

Sinterklaas in Salt Lake City

We took the kids to the Old Dutch Store to see Sinterklaas and Zwarte Piet. At first they were a bit hesitant but Elizabeth warmed up pretty quickly and even Thomas thought they were nice by the end of our visit.

 

Another perk of going to the Dutch store is that we always pick up yummy treats.