Christmas Countdown 2016

Before we get back to the regularly scheduled programming...(I mean backtracking...)

Day One, Thursday 12.1.15

Song:  Hymn #201 “Joy to the World”

Scripture:  Luke 2:36-38

Reading/Video:  “A bit of Christmas” http://media.ldscdn.org/pdf/magazines/friend-december-2014/2014-12-21-a-bit-of-christmas-every-day-eng.pdf

Activity: Print Christmas coloring pages and color

Day Two, Friday, 12.2.16

Song: Children’s Song Book, page 37 “Stars were Gleaming”

Scripture: Matthew 2:19-23

Reading/Video:  “O Holy Night” The King’s Singers and MOTAB https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NU2TlwcH3h4

Activity: Burger Stop/Hay Ride

Day Three, Saturday, 12.3.16

Song:  Hymn #213 “The First Noel”

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-5

Reading/Video: What Shall We Give? https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2009-12-42-what-shall-we-give?category=topics/christmas&lang=eng

Activity: Visit the Ogden Christmas Village/See Santa

Day Four, Sunday, 12.4.16

Song: Children’s pg 54 “Christmas Bells”

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-19

Reading/Video: Why We Need a Savior video :

https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2015-12-1000-why-we-need-a-savior--a-christmas-message-about-our-savior-jesus-christ-asaviorisborn?category=topics/christmas&lang=eng

Activity: Watch the First Presidency Christmas Devotional

Day Five, Monday, 12.5.16

Song:  Hymn #206 “Away in a Manger”

Scripture: Luke 2:21-24

Reading/Video: MOTAB “What Child is This?” https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2012-12-0002-what-child-is-this?category=topics/christmas&lang=eng

Activity: Go to the Library and check out Christmas books & read them

Day Six, Tuesday, 12.6.16

Song: Children’s pg 53 “The Nativity Song”

Scripture: Hosea 11:1

Reading/Video:  “Christmas at the Hospital” http://media.ldscdn.org/pdf/magazines/friend-december-2012/2012-12-21-christmas-at-the-hospital-eng.pdf

Activity: Make Snowflakes and hang them around the house

Day Seven, Wednesday, 12.7.16

Song: Hymn #203 “Angels we have Heard on High”

Scripture:  Luke 2:25-35

Reading/Video: Temple Square Video https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2013-02-1090-temple-square?category=topics/christmas&lang=eng

Activity: Jace shopping for Lizzie

Day Eight, Thursday, 12.8.16

Song: Children’s pg 44 “Mary’s Lullaby”

Scripture: Isaiah 7:14

Reading/Video: Shepards Learn of the Birth of Christ https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2011-10-005-shepherds-learn-of-the-birth-of-christ?category=topics/christmas&lang=eng

Activity: Write letters to Santa

Day Nine, Friday, 12.9.16

Song: Hymn #208 “O Little Town of Bethlehem”

Scripture: Matthew 1: 20-25

Reading/Video: MOTAB “Silent Night”

https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2011-12-0041-silent-night?category=topics/christmas&lang=eng

Activity: Mom and Dad MOTAB Concert, Kids Christmas Movie

Day Ten, Saturday, 12.10.16

Song: Children’s pg 41 “Once Within a Lowly Stable”

Scripture: Luke 1:39-56

Reading/Video: Wise Men Seek Jesus https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2011-10-007-the-wise-men-seek-jesus?category=topics/christmas&lang=eng

Activity: Shopping for Secret Santa Family

Day Eleven, Sunday, 12.11.16

Song: Hymn #207 “It Came Upon A Midnight Clear”

Scripture: Isaiah 9:6-7

Reading/Video: The Bells on Temple Square https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2011-10-54-the-bells-on-temple-square-with-orchestra?category=topics/christmas&lang=eng

Activity: Visit the Lights at Temple Square

Day Twelve, Monday, 12.12.16

Song: Children’s pg 38 “When Joseph went to Bethlehem”

Scripture: Matthew 2:13-15

Reading/Video: Holy Infant video https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2015-12-0050-infant-holy-infant-lowly-music-video-mormon-tabernacle-choir?category=topics/christmas&lang=eng

Activity: See the Lights on Sherwood Drive, Kaysville

Day Thirteen, Tuesday, 12.13.16

Song: Hymn #204 “Silent Night”

Scripture: Exodus 13:2

Reading/Video: O Come Emmanual Piano Guys https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2012-00-0120-o-come-emmanuel-christmas-version?category=topics/christmas&lang=eng

Activity: Have Toast and hot chocolate while listening to Christmas music

Day Fourteen, Wednesday, 12.14.16

Song: Children’s pg 36 “Samuel Tells of baby Jesus”

Scripture: Luke 1:11-17

Reading/Video:  “The Christmas Basket” http://media.ldscdn.org/pdf/magazines/friend-december-2009/2009-12-06-the-christmas-basket-eng.pdf

Activity: Hallie shop for Flor

Day Fifteen, Thursday, 12.15.16

Song: Hymn #209 “Hark the Herald Angel Sing”

Scripture: Luke 1:26-33

Reading/Video: “Angels We Have Heard on High” David Archuleta, Piano Guys https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrLoWt2tfqg

Activity: Mishell shop for Jace

Day Sixteen, Friday, 12.16.16

Song:  Children’s pg 47 “Sleep Little Jesus”

Scripture: Luke 2:39-4

Reading/Video:  “The Gift”

http://media.ldscdn.org/pdf/lds-magazines/friend-december-2011/2011-12-04-the-gift-eng.pdf

Activity: Mom and Dad “Christmas Carol” at the Hale, Kids Christmas Movie

Day Seventeen, Saturday, 12.17.16

Song:  Hymn #210 “With Wondering Awe”

Scripture: Matthew 25:40

Reading/Video: He is the Gift Video https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2014-00-1460-he-is-the-gift?category=topics/christmas&lang=eng

Activity:  Christmas Sleigh ride at Thanksgiving Point

Day Eighteen, Sunday, 12.18.16

Song: Children’s pg 46 “Who is this Child?”

Scripture: Luke 2:15-20

Reading/Video: “Christmas Eve with the Cordobas” http://media.ldscdn.org/pdf/magazines/friend-december-2015/2015-12-04-christmas-eve-with-the-cordobas-eng.pdf

Activity: Gingerbread/Graham Cracker Houses

Day Nineteen, Monday, 12.19.16

Song: Hymn #214 “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day”

Scripture: Malachi 3:1

Reading/Video: “Christmas Story from the Book of Mormon”

https://www.lds.org/liahona/1986/12/the-christmas-story-from-the-book-of-mormon?lang=eng

Activity:  Deliver Secret Santa gifts

Day Twenty, Tuesday, 12.20.16

Song: Children’s pg 50 “Picture a Christmas”

Scripture: Luke 2:1-7

Reading/Video: Little Drummer Boy Álex Boye

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0mT-zNxRMw

Activity:  Watch Santa’s Reindeer Online

Day Twenty one, Wednesday, 12.21.16

Song: Hymn #212 “Far, Far Away on Judea’s Plains”

Scripture: Luke 2:8-14

Reading/Video: “Gloves for a Shepherd” https://www.lds.org/bc/content/shared/content/images/magazines/friend/2013/12/gloves-for-a-shepherd_1179029_prt.pdf

Activity: Make & Decorate Sugar Cookies for Santa

Day Twenty two, Thursday, 12.22.16

Song:  Children’s pg 48 “Oh, Hush thee my Baby”

Scripture: Matthew 2:16-18

Reading/Video: Alfie Bow and MOTAB “Hark the Herald Angels Sing”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWcB5caZlyc

Activity: Go ice Skating

Day Twenty-three, Friday, 12.23.16

Song:  Hymn #205 “Once in Royal David’s City”

Scripture: Micah 5:2

Reading/Video: MOTAB “Hallelujah Chorus”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBZ7AfZR9xs

Activity: Carlie Stew/Birthday Party

Day Twenty-Four, Saturday, 12.24.16

Song: Children’s pg 39 “Little Jesus”

Reading/Video:  “Angels from the Realms of Glory” MOTAB and Natalie Cole

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56HVWotCsJE

Activity/Scripture: Act out the Nativity

September Randoms

We have been enjoying an unusually beautiful fall and I can't get enough of it. September meant a lot of walking to school, riding bikes, playing outside, and just loving the gorgeous weather (and it has continued into November!!)

Here are a few of our various activities in September. Apparently, I mostly just took pictures of Lizzie that month :)

Jace still had not learned to ride his bike without training wheels, so we finally took the pedals off and made him ride it like a balance bike for a while, and guess what, he quickly learned to ride his bike when we put the pedals back on!

I was somehow signed up to volunteer in Jace's class twice per month and this started in September. Lizzie and I have had a good time going and helping the kindergartners read (especially when Lizzie behaves)

Mishell wanted to start dressing like fall, despite it being hot outside... I don't blame her because she has some cute Fall clothes! I mean, those boots.. 

/

sister twins

I just took a picture of this because I was laughing at Devin's contributions to our grocery list. Treats, candy, ice cream, soda, and crackers. I'll give him the crackers, but the rest..man, he's so healthy.

We had a tornado touch down in nearby Washington Terrace one day. It was so freaky!! It came from nowhere and there were trees everywhere, trampolines swirling in the air, etc. It happened right when the kids were supposed to be walking home from school. I jumped in the car to go get them, but luckily a nice neighbor had picked them up already.

A massive pine tree in the road

but the rainbow was beautiful after!

Not the best picture, but the girls and I went to the Women's Broadcast for General Conference together and then out for ice cream. We had a great time.

Flor helping Dad pat Lizzie's back

and rubbing her head. :)

I looked out the window one day when the kids were coming home and saw this. Jace is such a good boy. (Most of the time!)

Michelangelo doing the dishes is the best. Love that kid. 

Lizzie Baby's Blessing

We blessed our sweet Lizzie girl on Sept 4, 2016 in our ward. We had a lot of support from our family at this special event. We felt especially grateful for all who made the trek to come from Idaho as this was our 3rd (and one more to come) family/religious event of the year. 

Lizzie was blessed in a dress that my mom made for my sister's girls. I wanted her to wear it too as it was made by her grandma. Hallie was blessed in the dress that I wore when I was a baby and it came from Portugal (where Devin served his mission) so that was special as well. 

Lizzie looked beautiful and her daddy gave her a wonderful and special blessing. We are so grateful for the blessing she is in our lives. I have no doubt that Heavenly Father sent her to us at this time for a specific purpose. She is meant to teach us and to learn from us and to be a part of our little earthly unit. I have often looked into Lizzie's eyes since her birth and had an overwhelming feeling that I have known her much longer than her few months on earth. I have a testimony of eternal families and I am so grateful she is part of ours.

Lizzie came at an interesting time... a time we were not certain we would be having any more children. However, Heavenly Father blessed us with her anyway and I am so grateful. Initially, I was very concerned that her coming would negatively impact Mishell, who was just adjusting to our family and to a new culture, language, school system, etc. However, I think that Lizzie has done the exact opposite of what I feared and has been a  bit of a glue that has brought our family closer together. She is a ray of sunshine and light and Mishell loves her and vice versa. They are no doubt meant to be sisters. They came within a year of each other to our family and despite being 12 years apart, I hope they continue to have a great relationship and be a source of happiness and sisterhood to one another as the years go by. 

We did not get as many pictures as I would have liked at the blessing, especially of those who came to support us, but here are some of our beautiful girl. 

Watch Me Grow! Lizzie September

Lizzie Pie turned 2 months old in September. She is such a joy to us and it is so cliche, but I cannot imagine life without her! Lizzie started smiling during this month and showing off those awesome dimples. Her eyes started to straighten out so that she didn't look so cross eyed all the time. She quickly got into a habit of just waking up once per night. She started going to bed at 7 pm and following more established routines. All the kids fight over who gets to hold her, play with her, and even pick her outfit for the day. She is absolutely one loved little lady. 

At her 2 month appointment, Lizzie was 9 pounds, 4 ounces, still in the 5th percentile. She's just tiny, which is hilarious because none of our kids have been small, ever. 

Lizzie has always loved her swing. It's a favorite, for sure.

2 month pictures