Simply Having a Wonderful Christmas Time

In the last few days before Christmas we tried to cram in as much Christmas fun as we could. We started out the night by going around to different houses and neighborhoods to look at lights. Then the cemetery by Winder Dairy has an event where they put lanterns all over the cemetery, so we checked that out, too. 

After that we came home and decorated gingerbread houses.

The Sunday before Christmas we got together with the Jones family and Terry and Craig to open presents. We made ornaments from the kids' hand prints and gave it to them along with their gift.

All of the kids got matching Utah Thunderbird hats.

And the kids got spoiled with A LOT of gifts.

We had dinner and then put together some puzzles.

We've also had fun figuring out where Kitty the Elf was hiding every morning. We've found him in some unusual places... but like I tell the kids, everybody poops.

He played with the kids' Legos and built himself a pretty sweet tower.

He entertained himself all night long trying to figure out the kids' puzzles.

And on December 24th, he left us a treat for Christmas morning with a note:

Makayla, Caden, and Brynnli, 

I played with Legos, puzzles, and dolls

Sometimes I even sat on the walls. 

I loved the party with Minnie Mouse

I even slept on you gingerbread house. 

At night I went back to the North Pole

and told Sants if it's presents or coal. 

A bike and Jake the Pirate, you say, 

for Brynnli, Santa knows the way. 

Because I love you very much

I brought you Cinnabuns for Christmas "lunch"

Hot cocoa helps to wash it down

Put in marshmallows and watch them drown. 

I love you more than you will know;

it is so much fun to watch you grow!

I'll countdown the days until next year; 

only 330 and I'll be here!

Love, 

Kitty the Elf

Santa's Sweetheart

This little Santa's sweetheart is now three months old! And I have to say that was the fastest three months ever. 

Brynnli is by far THE BEST baby ever. Tyler and I thought Makayla and Caden were really good babies, but they don't even compare to Brynnli. She is content to do whatever and go wherever. She is a really good eater and the best sleeper. I usually put her to bed about 7:30 and she sleeps for a good seven to eight hours straight. Even when she does wake up in the night, I just put her in bed with me and she eats and falls asleep again.

Brynnli loves her big sister and brother, and Makayla and Caden are really good to watch out for her and get her toys if she cries. The last three months have been a dream with our sweet little girl!

All I Want for Christmas...

Merry Christmas from the Evans Family

Love, 

Tyler, Kristen, Makayla, Caden, and Brynnli

Christmas Time is Family Time.

We have done a lot of fun things to get ready for Christmas! Here's some of the highlights: 

Decorating the Christmas tree: 

 Brynnli is the Angel at the top of our tree this year!

 Makayla and Caden had fun putting the decorations on our tree. We always let them decorate their tree downstairs, so needless to say all of the decorations are only about three feet high.

 Brynnie Bear was so excited about decorating she fell asleep, but she really is Santa's sweetheart.

 The next day Kitty the Elf came back to stay with us for the month of December! He brought the kids donuts, yogurt, and hot chocolate.  He watches the kids during the day to make sure they are being good, then he flies back to the North Pole to tell Santa how the kids have been, but he is always back before the kids get up in a new hiding place.

He also left the cutest note that said: 

The Kitty is back and so happy to see

the three little kids in the Evans family. 

First there were two, but now there are three: 

Makayla, Caden, and little Brynnli!

I brought you some yogurt and donuts today, 

but don't share with Brynnli... what would Mom say? 

Make sure to be good girls and good boys, 

so Santa will bring you Christmas Day toys!

Remember don't touch my soft little skin, 

and make sure to find me every mornin'.

Love, Kitty the Elf. 

 Since then the kids love to wake up in the morning to see where Kitty is hiding. We've found him in some interesting hiding places:

We've also made a Christmas countdown

and Santa ornaments made from the kids' hand prints. Makayla and Caden got to help paint them. 

We went to see the lights on Temple Square after Terry's retirement dinner. The weather was so nice and it was not crowded at all until the Christmas Devotional got out. Then it was packed, so we booked it out of there. 

 We picked Angels for the Christmas tree and the kids used their own money to buy their angels a special toy. Caden got his angel a Spiderman toy.

 Makayla bought her Angel some Legos.

 And we had to spot Brynnli some money, but she bought her angel a baby alive doll!

 Of course I can't wait for Christmas day, but I think getting ready for Christmas is almost more fun! Only 12 days left!

Makayla's Preschool Program

I LOVE Makayla's preschool! She has really excelled this year and has already learned her letters and sounds. Tyler and I have both been so impressed with her progress. Makayla loves to show us her projects she makes every time and we love to hear the songs they learn. They had a Christmas program to showcase some of the songs they have been learning. I have to say the program may have been the cutest thing I have ever seen. Ever. 

 Makayla and her friend Abby were the first on stage. I don't want to brag, but they were the best ones. They were the only two singing and doing the signs.

 This is her whole class.

 They had guitars for the "Days of the week" song.

 This may have been one of the funniest moments. The kids were supposed to go sit back down, and I think Makayla was supposed to sit by Abby, but there were other kids sitting where she was supposed to sit, so Makayla just wedged herself right in. I don't think the other kids were too happy with her. :)

 My favorite part was when the kids got dressed up as Christmas trees and danced around.

 During the show Makayla kept looking at us and waving.

 Makayla was especially excited for Grandma and Grandpa to see her show.

 And Grandma Kathy made it too!

Of course me, Tyler, Caden, and Brynnli were there to cheer her on, but we didn't get pictures with us. 

 This is Makayla with her teachers, Miss Aubrey and Miss Karly.

Loved this program and I can't wait for her spring concert.

I'm confused... Is it Winter or Spring?

The weather has been so good through December, like in the 60's! So we have been taking full advantage of the nice weather and went to the Zoo, this time with Grandma and Grandpa Evans. It was perfect and there were very few people there. I thought we would only last until 2 (nap time) but we ended up staying until it closed at 4! Here's a few pictures from our fun day. I promise we did look at the live animals, but it was more fun to take pictures with the statues of the animals.