Christmas catch-up

I feel like every year there is a Christmas catch-up that has to be done on my blog. My sister Laura is so good at blogging through the holidays, I wish I was better. I guess I just get too caught up in all the excitement! It's hard for me to sit down and document.

But I feel it's important to remember the experiences that the holidays bring and so I always want to go back and write it down.

We always have a fun and busy month of December and this one was no exception. Logan and I have been through a lot these last few years with job changes and other challenges, but the holidays are always a time when we can look past the struggles of life and enjoy the family we have created together.

Kurt Bestor Concert

We had a wonderful night out with the adults in my family for our tradition the Kurt Bestor concert. Every year we get that email from my Dad listing the date and time he has bought tickets to the show and we immediately get excited and write it on our calendar. Logan especially loves this tradition. Sometimes we have a little fun making fun of old Kurt, but that just adds to the enjoyment of the evening! This year was no disappointment, in fact, it was one of my favorite concerts!

{ the girls }

{ the boys }

A Christmas Carol

Next up on the fun list was A Christmas Carol! Ayden got to go last year with Connor and Abby, as well as the year before so he knew exactly what to expect and couldn't have been more excited! But it was Sophie's first year and she was very anxious to see what all the fuss was about!

{ Sophie and Mckinley }

{ Ayden and uncle Brian }

Have you ever seen 2 cheesier faces?

Much better.

Ayden LOVED it as usual. Sophie was a little more concerned about everyone else in the theatre than the actual play going on, but all in all I think she liked it. I think this is one of my favorite traditions because it always gets me in the Christmas spirit. And as expected, as soon as the play was over, Ayden started rehearsing his lines for tiny Tim. This year I think I really might let him audition!

JDS Christmas Party

Another fun family night we had was our Studio Christmas party. I teach dance at Jazz Dancer Studio where both of my kids dance and Sophie goes to school. Logan has been creating a new website for them as well so it is our home away from home right now.

This year they did a Daddy/daughter, Mommy/son date night. Were got dressed up and learned some partner dancing with our special date.

We had a wonderful night with our kids. It was crazy to see how big they are getting.

Christmas Eve

Our Christmas eve is always the same, very predictable, and that's just the way we like it! We start with the Hammers for some Christmas pinata fun!

All the cousins love Myla

The girls were up first and our baby Jae was number 1!

Next up was Lewis. She really went at it!

The boys have a hard time waiting so when it's finally their turn they are pumped and ready!

Did I say this day was predictable? Well, no one could've predicted that Ayden would get hit in the head by a flying jolly rancher! OUCH!

Back at the Hammer abode we have lunch and the kids act out the Nativity.

Clara we the sweetest Mary. She really does love baby Myla.

It was a really sweet moment when all the kids were huddled around "baby Jesus". Our best Nativity to date.

Myla decided that it was too loud to take a nap down in the nursery, but a little catnap on Dad's lap hit the spot.

We are always excited for the next event when Santa comes to pay a quick visit before he heads out to deliver presents!

You gotta love that one.

The traditional Family shot. It will be fun to compare these from year to year.

Once all the Hammer festivities are over, we load up and head down to Orem where the party is just beginning. We start with a delicious dinner, followed by the Christmas program.

{the kids singing Jingle Bells}

{ Soph and Gram }

{ Ayden helping Papa read Twas the Night Before Christmas }

{ Our family sang Away in a Manger }

Then it came time for the second Nativity of the day. This one was quite a bit smaller that the previous one.

more to come . . .

Christmas cards

Here's proof that a mom will do just about anything she has to to get the Christmas cards done!
After the first Oreo...


After the second Oreo...



Cards are done, and now she's in the tub.
- Posted from my iPhone

{ front runner to the lights . . .

Our friends and neighbors across the street invited us to ride the front runner down to Temple Square with them. They go every year but their girls tend to fall asleep and they thought bringing friends along might help them stay awake.

We haven't ever taken the front runner and thought it would be a fun experience for our children.

(Ashlee, Sophie and Ayden)

(Lee, Cami, Nicole and Brooke Bott)

After the train we hitched a ride on tracks up to Temple Square. We walked around the city looking for somewhere to eat. It was actually kind of fun. It reminded me of New York.

(very scaled down obviously)

We asked around and were told the best place to eat around there was either the Lion House Pantry, or Joseph Smith memorial. We figured the Pantry would be more kid friendly. The food was yummy and warm, just what we needed before heading back into the cold.

The kids really enjoyed looking at the different Nativities.

We were reminiscing about our wedding day almost 9 years ago. It's crazy to think how much has changed. Even my love for this man. It has grown exponentially.

I am blown away at how big these 2 kids are. They are everything to me. I hope they know how much I love them and how happy I am to be their mother.

(The Bott family)

minus 1 stroller baby

The kids thought the Temple was pretty cool. They were excited to be so close and even get to touch it.

We realized it was almost time to catch the train and had to book it back to tracks!

(My handsome boys)

(Baby Jae)

She was so good. She loved sitting in her stroller and looking at the beautiful lights.