Christmas Fun with the Cartwrights!

The Christmas season was full of fun and tradition for us. Some things we took pictures of, and others we just enjoyed. Here are some of our favorite traditions:

1. Christmas Decorating:

Everyone loves the Christmas tree until it is time to put it up. We try to get it up at the beginning of December so that we can enjoy it for the whole month. The girls get a new ornament every year, Joe passes out the hooks, and we always have a treat to eat. This year Riley made spice cookies with peppermint chocolate on top--YUM! Despite the cookies, nobody lasted very long so we called it a night. I spent the next few days finishing the tree and the next few weeks decorating the rest of the house.
Note to self: less decorating next year!

The "worker (wo)men"--Lainey and Halle:


The "snowman:"

The "hook man:"

The "treat (wo)man"--Riley:

The "sleeping man"--Bo:

TA-DAH!!! TA-DAH!!! TA-DAH!!! TA-DAH!!! TA-DAH!!!

2. Christmas Guests:

We had lots of fun visitors over the holidays--especially as the "big day" got closer. I failed to take any pictures, but the DeLeon family came for lunch and present opening on December 20; our neighbors, the Knapps and the Hills, for Christmas Eve; the missionaries came for breakfast and computer access on Christmas morning; and various Turner family members for our annual New Year's Eve sleepover party and New Year's Day breakfast. We especially enjoyed a 6 day visit with Joe's sister, Monica, who came from St. George. She has spent the last several Christmases with us, and it wouldn't be Christmas without Aunt Monica!
*Note to self: pictures of guests next year!

3. Christmas Shopping & Dinner:

Dinner at the Olive Garden and shopping at the Gateway. The girls always get presents for each other and their friends and Joe and I go along to help make decisions and hide gifts. The girls got an added bonus this year--money from Gammy and Grandpa that they got to spend on whatever they wanted. Lainey and Halle spent theirs at Build-a-Bear. Courtnee and Riley spent theirs at The Body Shop.

*Note to self: We all love this tradition!

At the Olive Garden with Monica!

Lainey at Build-a-Bear with Krissy, Klaus, and Kringle.

Halle and Sparkle.

Riley and Courtnee--still smiling at the end!

4. Christmas Eve:

We had our annual Christmas Eve party and invited the Hills and the Knapps to come this year. This is our traditional menu:

Appetizers: stuffed mushrooms, cheese ball and crackers, shrimp

Salads: green salad and ribbon jello salad

Main Dish: clam chowder, rolls & French bread

Dessert: lots of Christmas goodies: fudge, cookies, breads, etc.

Beverage: Gammy's famous holiday drink

After dinner we have a program with each person participating--this is a family requirement, but optional for the neighbors. This year, Lainey played "Winter Wonderland," Halle sang "Winter Wonderland" with Bailee Hill, Courtnee and Riley played a violin and piano duet to "Where are you Christmas?" Joe told the original Christmas story, and I read a picture book. The Knapps and Hill's also participated with stories and testimonies.

*Note to self: less baking--remember the 2 lbs. of fudge you ended up throwing away!

5. Christmas gifts:

Of course, this is one of our favorite parts! We woke up at 6:30 and there was snow! The entire family was very relieved to see that Santa brought Riley the purple Ipod she had been talking about for weeks! Even Lainey and Halle were worried about what would happen if she didn't! There was lots of stuff and lots of wrapping paper, but so far nothing seems to have been inadvertently thrown away--a first! Another first was I actually forgot about a present I had bought for Halle and when I remembered two days later I couldn't find it. After a 12:30 a.m. search I gave up and spent the next morning looking until I found it. YEAH!

Favorite gifts:

Joe--an Ipod from all 5 of his girls, Christmas $, and Little Big Planet for the PS3.

Lori--a Kitchen Aid, a Kindle, and a new purse from her girls.

Courtnee--a new Ipod, silver glitter Converse, a BYU hoodie.

Riley--a PURPLE Ipod!

Lainey--riding helmet and boots and lots of plastic horses.

Halle--a Webkinz, American Girl doll stuff, snow boots.

Note to self: make note to self when hiding Christmas presents!

6. Christmas Day:

Had breakfast with the missionaries, played with new stuff, went to Grandpa and Grandma Turner's for dinner, more gift opening, games, and lots of talking! Lots of fun! Our favorite gift here was Lesley and Brian's gift to my parents: baby corn, Sugar Babies, and a Baby Ruth.

That's right they are having a BABY!!!

We were all so excited--Lainey screamed, I cried, and we all were excited to watch Lesley announce it to Lynnette over the webcam.

Note to self: the best gifts aren't things (a baby is not a thing)!

7. Christmas Vacation:

The girls had two entire weeks off from school and we have been so lazy! It has been wonderful to just shut down for a while. Of course, as all moms know, you never get to shut down entirely, but this is how my days have gone: sleep in, eat, read, laundry, dishes, read, eat, blog, laundry, dishes, watch a movie, play Little Big Planet or Rock Band, eat, sleep, etc. Throw in a couple of parties, a couple of movies at the movie theatre, and an increase the in the eating part and it was a great vacation. The girls spent their time doing the same with the exception of lots of time on Itunes, Club Penguin and Webkinz, time with friends, and a little bit of calculus and math. Joe is the only one who accomplished much. He worked and went to Ohio for 3 days for depositions.

Note to self: Remember you are a wife, a mom, and the YW president!