A Very Merry Christmas!!

I couldn't wait - Friday night while I was watching the girls I had to try on their new out fits I had made them. Well, the skirts I had made them. They looked so cute and Kate didn't want to take hers off. After about an hour I was finally able to get her PJ's on. I loved sewing again. It's inspired me to do more.

CHRISTMAS EVE DAY

We started by going down to the Bountiful Pond. I had bought a bag of day old bread and we fed the ducks. The girls were having fun watching the ducks fight over it. We walked out onto the frozen pond - I was a little nervous having never been out on the frozen water before and knowing of many stories of people falling through. Jim took the first step out and wouldn't you know his foot went right through. What a way to begin our night out doors. We shoe and sock - but he was a good sport and plugged forward. We had fun trying to see how deep the ice was. There were people out ice fishing, but after walking out to the little island we turned around and headed for the car.

We drove into Salt Lake and parked up from the Temple. We walked down to main street and took the train over to Gate Way where we at at the California Pizza Kitchen. It was yummy and we were all hungry that is except Kate. I don't know how that child stays alive with what she doesn't eat.

We then took the train back to Temple square and by then it was getting dark and the lights we on. They were just beautiful. We walked around for a while until we were all frozen and headed back to the cars.

Kate wanted to ride back with us and when Keith put Megan into the car she began screaming. I don't think she wanted to leave. She had really enjoyed the lights. She sat in the stroller and I could hear her jabbering the whole time we walked around.

Back at the house we lit the luminary's and then proceeded to have family time and open gifts. I loved watching the girls open their presents.

December was a busy month and I just wasn't feeling the spirit of Christmas, but as we walked around Temple square there was such a sweet spirit. By Christmas night I didn't want it to end. The music was so soothing and I sat on the couch staring at my Christmas tree lights not wanting the day to end.

Happy Birthday Kate!!

Happy Birthday to my beautiful Katie Bug (as she says). She is 3 today.

She brightens my day with her smile. Can't wait for our sleepover tonight. I love you Kate!!

They celebrated her birthday on Saturday and everything was Hello Kitty.

Oh Christmas Tree

I'm answering a request from a dear friend. I'm sharing my Christmas tree and some favorite memories I have about Christmas.
So, this is my tree with lights and....

this is it with out the lights on.


See the pink ball? These are all over my tree in different colors. They are chocolate. I didn't tell my grand-daughters what they were, but one night while we were babysitting, Megan must have smelled them and took a big bite out of one and now I can't keep her away from them.



Well, here are some of my Christmas memories.


My parents used to hang a sheet over the entrance to the living room so we couldn't peek. We would all have to brush our teeth and wash our face and line up oldest to youngest to enter into the living room. I hated always being second to last.

Every year Santa would deliver a family game.
They were always big games and so much fun.


One Christmas eve my sister Jana and I tried to stay up all night. We danced and sang to the old reel tape of Music Man and Sound of Music. I think we lasted until about 4 am.


One Christmas for church they asked our family to sing a song. My parents chose "The Little Drummer Boy". Every time I hear that song I think of my father. All I can hear is him singing the pudmmmm pudmmmm pudmmm. It brings me fond memories of my dad.


When I got married it was a little different. Keith for the first few years would wake up early, but most of the time we had to wake him. Having one child I hope he remembers his Christmas' with fond memories.

I have so many I could go on and on. I love Christmas and being with family. I love having my two little grand-daughters to watch their excitement this year. I miss my parents and sisters, but I do have memories to cherish.

Merry Christmas Everyone!!

A Jungle of Lights!

The zoo lights were so fun. Sara had not been feeling well so Keith, the girls, and Jim and I went to the zoo. Just about every tree and fence was covered with lights. There was Santa flying in the sky with rain deer, alligators opening and closing their moths, we even saw some real animals. It was VERY cold, but we bundled the girls in our arms and braved it. So glad we did. I really enjoyed it.

Lights were in motion so it looked like the animals were moving.

We couldn't escape the merry go round with out giving Kate a ride. She was so happy.

Poor Megan, her little hat would creep down over her eyes till she was in the dark till we noticed and uncovered them again. She is such a calm little child she never really fussed or cried.

We looked in this dark window and when our eyes focused we saw tons of bats. A little creepy, but cool.

A Hadlow Christmas

We had our Hadlow family Christmas Party last night at our school. The kids love running around the gym and going wild. We had a yummy potluck dinner and then we sang happy birthday to my mother in law. She is turning 80 this week end. Happy Birthday Mom!

Then we had a surprise visitor. Santa came to wish Grandma Nancy a happy birthday and get all the children's wishes for Christmas. He talked with each one and gave them a candy cane.

Megan is climbing like crazy. There is no stopping this girl.

Miss Kate didn't say much but she knows how to smile.

I thought Megan would start to cry, but she was so enthralled with Santa she could take her eyes off him.

Grandpa Jim has even been a good boy.

After the play we asked them to all smile so we could take their picture and Kate was really hamming it up. What a cutie!!