Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve was spent at Mana's house with all the family. 

We got dinner from Cafe Rio and took it there to eat. After dinner, we played some games. 

JD had made 2 huge balls of cellophane with candy wrapped inside. We all had a chance to 

unwrap it while the next person was rolling dice and trying to roll doubles. When that 

happened, they would take the ball and unwrap it. It was really fun and the kids had a great 

time playing it.  Then we played Heads Up! with the Christmas deck. We were split 

into 3 groups and played 5 rounds, then switched teams and played more. I can't remember 

who won each round, but it was a lot of fun and becoming a yearly tradition on Christmas Eve.

Melody was happy just playing in the toy room and coloring.

Then it was time for cookies!!

Pat even made Egg Nog Shakes for a treat! YUMMY!!

All the girls have to do 'sugar lips' after the dough has been rolled. 

Next up was the Christmas Eve jammies from Karri.

Melody is starting to understand what to do with wrapped presents!!

Next it was the hanging of the stockings.

This is what Melody didn't like. So it took a few tries and her 

watching the other kids before she was willing to participate.

This picture makes Mara look so grown up! Seriously, she's only 9.

This was another thing that Melody didn't want to do. Probably because it was the end of the night 

and she was tired. But boy oh boy, these jammies are CUTE! The girls really liked them because the 

pants had pockets! Karri even embroidered the kids names on their shirts!!  I helped Karri with

 Melody's because they didn't come in her size. So I helped cut down a size XS/S into a 2T. 

These kids are so lucky to have an amazing Mana. 

She is so generous, kind and loving. These kids just adore her.

And it wouldn't be a real picture without doing some funny ones.

They were checking on where Santa was on Karri's phone.

The kids were tired and ready to go home so we didn't get a family picture 

at Mana's. So when we got home we were able to get a few of our own.

These 4 make everything worth it. I love them all so much and am grateful to be their mom.

December - Christmas Break

One day during Christmas break we came home and got Melody out of the car while she 

was playing on the iPod. She immediately layed down on the kitchen floor, right in the 

way of everyone that was coming in, and continued to play. We all just laughed.

We had our annual Tolman progressive dinner. We started at Gwen's 

house and this was the only picture that I took the whole night. Melody 

really loves Carter and was so fascinated by Gwen & Doug's new dog.

We attempted a family movie and took ALL the kids to see The Good Dinosaur. Melody 

lasted about 45 minutes, before she just wanted to run around. Luckily there were 

only about 5 other groups of people there, so it was okay that we were walking up and 

down the stairs, running around in the front and through the aisles. She would 

only stop briefly at a huge pile of popcorn that had been spilled on the stairs.

The next night we got together with the Ramey side. We got dinner at 

JCW's, then drove around to see some houses with fun Christmas lights. 

We split up the kids so they could ride with their cousins. We had Xander 

and Max, Brent had Jaina and Finley, and JD had Mara, Conli & Sawyer. 

The end of the night was at the Tree of Life in Draper. 

This tree was amazing and the pictures don't do it justice.

Mom stayed back at the car with Mara because she was feeling 

sick, and JD was the photographer, but here's our group picture.

It's way washed out, but I got a picture with my girl. Luckily she began to feel better on the way home.

December - Hillam Family Christmas Party

December 19th was our Annual Hillam Family Christmas Party. We started the night with food and treats. 

We were able to mingle and talk with family. I didn't even think to take any pictures until Melody 

found a cupcake and began to eat only the frosting. Then it was selfie time to see her cute face. 

At the end of the night was Santa time. Melody was already 

cranky at this point, but was happy to play and laugh with Mana.

We sat patiently, waiting for our turn to see Santa. Melody sat with me and just watched all 

the other kids go get presents from him. She slowly got off my lap and continued to watch. Before I 

knew it she had walked up and tried to take a present from him that didn't belong to her. It was the 

sweetest thing and I knew she wasn't too afraid of him, but sadly it was the wrong time. Xander was 

sitting in the front row and I had him grab her for me. Needless to say, she cried and cried. Then by 

the time it was our turn there was no way she would sit on his lap because she was so sad.

We usually make all the kids wait until the end to open presents, but the fact 

that she's 2 and was sad, we let her open her's early. She got Little People figures 

of Winnie the Pooh and Tigger. She was so happy and loved them, and kept 

on hugging them. It was the cutest thing and I was able to get pictures of all of it.

After she opened her present, she went back to watching Santa as he left.

Mara got the 2 latest Dork Diaries books, but she wasn't happy about it. She 

actually cried and told me she didn't want books anymore. It broke my heart 

to have her sad at Christmas time. But she was able to be okay about it all later.

Xander got the newest Diary of a Wimpy Kid book.

Jaina got a Raven Queen Ever After High doll and a new Elephant and Piggie book.

The next day was the Sunday before Christmas, so we got all 

dressed up and the girls wore their new dresses from Mana.