Christmas Eve

Justin prefers to work the day right before a holiday just in case he can get off early without taking vacation.  Even if that means that for the rest of his family – that holiday/pre-holiday is much like any other day.  We like feeling like we’re getting a deal and working 6 hours out of 8 is apparently a bargain ;)

Anyhow, that left the kids and I at home getting ready for Christmas.  Christmas Eve always means making cookies for Santa.

We met up with Justin’s family at Ivar’s for an early dinner and to walk around the “Clam Lights”.

Back at home Justin read the story of Christ’s birth from the Hipwell family bible

Reading from the scriptures was quickly followed by dessert and then the kids were “allowed” to open just one gift.  

Drew pretty much threw aside his gift to play with the wrapping paper

Surprise!  PJ’s are always a hit!

The girls didn’t expect to have matching jammies

They were even more surprised that I’d bought a pair for myself!  

Drew didn’t want to be left out of a picture – crazy kid!

Christmas jammies for all!  

Holiday Activities

Snoqualmie Tree Lighting

Our first holiday activity was attending our local tree lighting event on Saturday, December 6th.  This is the first year we’ve attended and it won’t be the last.  Free cookies, hot chocolate, popcorn, free horse-drawn carriage rides, pictures with Santa, and live music.  It was a fun event to kick start the season.

Bellevue Nativity

The following afternoon, after church and tithing settlement, we attended the big nativity event our stake hosts each year.  We always enjoy looking at the hundreds of different nativities on display and getting our family nativity picture taken.  This event is always so well done and reminds us of the true meaning of Christmas.

Botanical Gardens

The next evening we went to the Bellevue Botanical Gardens for their holiday lights.  Grandma and Grandpa Fletcher met us there. Thankfully, the rain held off while we walked around.  Not something we need to do every year, but still enjoyable.

Ward Party

Our ward Christmas party was on the 20th.  I was disappointed when I heard that it was going to be a dinner instead of the usual Christmas breakfast.  It was so well done though.  Our church building was transformed into biblical cities – structures were built, and water well created, etc… so much effort and planning was put into the event.  After dinner there was a wonderful Christ-centered program in the gym.  There was even a small corner of the building for the kids to meet with Santa before the dinner began.  Don’t mind the crazy outfits – we were encouraged to wear biblical attire.

Christmas Sunday

The boys dressed in their most festive attire for Christmas Sunday – so handsome!

I purchased gingerbread houses for $1 after Christmas last year and we saved them til the very last Sunday before Christmas to get them out for the kids.  Not only did I know it would be a mess, but I didn’t want to have 5 gingerbread houses strewn around my kitchen all month.

Yes, it was a mess, but the kids really enjoyed putting together and decorating their own houses. Guess I need to get out and find some kits on clearance for this next year.

Drew tried to sneak candy whenever he could

Abigail had a friend over later in the week and they put together the last kit.

Snowflake Lane

On Monday, December 22nd we joined thousands of others at Snowflake Lane.  Seriously, the most crowded we’ve ever experienced this event.  We squeezed into a space in front of the Macy’s stage, but next year I think we need to try a different spot.  

Watching Katie and Drew get swept away in the excitement and magic was well worth fighting the crowds.

Add to the above two holiday parties I attended with girlfriends, Abigail’s band concert, a couple get togethers with friends for me and Justin, holiday parties for the girls church/friend groups, etc… it was a busy fun-filled month!  

Family Pictures

Let’s rewind a few months and go back to getting our family pictures taken.  I bought a discounted mini session during the summer from a photographer we’ve used several times in the past.  She lives almost an hour away so I figured we’d meet her down south for a quick session.  When she asked me if I had any locations in mind I told her I knew some spots near us, but we’d be happy to meet her anywhere.  I didn’t expect her to drive all the way up here when we paid so little for our session, but to my surprise and delight she was happy to come to us! 

We went to Snoqualmie Point Park, which has gorgeous views of our beautiful Mt. Si and lots of greenery that the northwest is known for.  My family is not easy to take pictures of.  Drew is at such a hard age – he is busy and wants to be down running around.  Katie was giving us fake, ugly smiles 90% of the time.  Add to that 5 other people that blink, give phony smiles, stick out their tongues, etc… I was surprised that she spent an hour taking pictures of all of us.  I was so happy for all the time she spent with us and for traveling to our neck of the woods that I sent her a fun cookie bouquet and a note of thanks. I couldn’t wait to get the CD in the mail.

I waited. And waited. And waited.  Finally after six weeks of waiting, I emailed her another note of thanks and added that I was so excited to see the pictures.  Turns out she either sent them to our old address or they got lost in the mail, but she mailed out a new CD that very day.

I was really happy with the pictures.  She took some shots with Mt Si in the background but the sun was too high to make them flattering.  This was a fun one though.

Like I said to get all seven of us looking great in the same shot is nearly impossible without photoshop, but I think we managed to get some good pictures.