Christmas 2016 Bucket List

December was BUSY! We made a Christmas Bucket List to make sure we fit in all of our favorite traditions, and also make new ones.

If you can just look at this picture and realize what a huge accomplishment this is for me. I am letting someone else decorate my tree. Wow, I feel like I am just growing right up. Makayla did a great job helping me decorate our tree, but a few days later all of the ornaments had been moved up so Brynn couldn't get them anymore. I guess that's all I can expect living with a todd.

The kids had a blast decorating their tree downstairs.

We made a Christmas countdown.

And had a movie night with hot chocolate. We may have posed these two like this, but I know deep down inside they really do love each other this much.

The kids wrote letters to Santa.

Makayla's says:

Dear Santa,
How are the reindeer? What is your favorite cookie? What do you do before Christmas Day? Thank you for letting Kitty the Elf stay at our house! Thank you for the Elsa Legos you gave me last year. I love playing with them. This year I would like a bike with none training wheels, Belle Legos, and Shopkins. I love you! Makayla 5

Caden's note said:

Dear Santa,
How are you? What do you like to watch on t.v.? Do you like your reindeer? Thank you for the train set you gave me last year. I love playing with it. Thank you for the Jake the Pirate toy. He is my favorite! This year for Christmas I would like a Zurg, Ninja Turtle Power, and a bike. I love you. Caden 4.

A few days later Kitty the Elf brought letters back from Santa with some Oreos!

Makayla's letter said,

Dear Makayla,

Thank you for your letter. The reindeer are doing well and are getting ready for the big night. Rudolph has a runny nose right now, but I think he will be better by Christmas Eve. Thank you for asking what I do before Christmas day. I spend my day checking the naughty and nice list, helping the elves make toys, and eating cookies with Mrs. Claus.

I am so happy to hear you like Kitty the Elf staying at your house. He is one of my favorite elves because he does some pretty silly things. I love to hear the stories he tells me about all the fun things he does before you wake up. He tells me that you are trying your best to be nice to your brother and sister, and how helpful you are to your mom and dad. Keep up the good work, and you will stay on my good list.

I will try my best to bring you some of the things on your list. I think a bike without training wheels is a very good idea, and I know how much you love Legos and Shopkins.

I asked Kitty the Elf to bring you some more Oreos because I know how much you and your family love them.  Maybe you could save some for me when I visit your house on Christmas Eve? Love, Santa.

Caden's note said:

Dear Caden,

Thank you for your letter. I loved the pictures you drew for me, and I am so impressed how you wrote your name. Thank you for asking what I like to watch on t.v. This is a really busy time of year for me, so I don’t get to watch t.v. that much. I would rather take care of my reindeer and help the elves. Thank you for asking if I like my reindeer. I do love them very much.  They are getting ready to help me deliver presents on Christmas Eve.

I am so happy to hear that you love the toys I got you last year. Kitty the Elf told me how you love to play with your train set and Jake the Pirate toy. Kitty the Elf also told me how you are trying your best to be good this year. He said you are really trying to be a good brother to your sisters, and how you are so kind and thoughtful to your mom and dad. Keep up the good work and remember listen to your mom and dad so you can stay on my good list.

I will do my best to bring you some of the items on your list. I think a bike is a great idea. I also know how much you want a Zurg to play with your Buzz Lightyear. I don’t quite know how to bring you Ninja Turtle Power, but I will try my best to think of something.

I asked Kitty the Elf to bring you and your family some more Oreos because I know how much you love them. Oreos are my favorite cookies too! I can’t wait to visit your house on Christmas Eve and see all the wonderful decorations you put up. Love, Santa.

Throughout the year the kids have been saving part of their chore money to buy a toy for a kid that doesn't have any toys, so we went shopping and the kids got to pick something out.

Makayla picked Legos

Caden picked an Iron Man toy.

And Brynnli picked out a Baby Alive.

We went to our ward Christmas breakfast and Santa and Mrs. Claus were there!

We made gingerbread houses.

Brynnli got bored about 5 minutes into it. We heard her screaming and found her stuck on her dresser. And yes, we did take a picture before helping her get down.

Here's some more pictures from our gingie night.

We went with our cousins and Grandma and Grandpa to see Moana. This was actually the 2nd time we have seen this movie and loved it even more the second time. We have been listening to the soundtrack non stop since we saw it.

On Caden's last day of preschool they had a party complete with a visit from Santa. Caden got to tell Santa that he wanted a Zurg and Santa knew exactly what he wanted.

This wasn't on our bucket list, but we went to a Utes basketball game.

Then to El Rancho for dinner. This little girl love chips and salsa!

After that we spent $30 to go through the lights. The price was a little steep, but we seriously had so much fun.

Makayla and Caden got to stick their body out of the car part way through and thought it was hilarious.

Brynnli helped Daddy drive.

The kids used their imagination to dress up like Mary and Joseph. I think Brynn was one of the stable animals?

We went over to Tracy's house for our Evans family Christmas party. The kids got spoiled with a lot of toys and clothes. They also got microphones, which have been so good for their daily performances they like to do for us.

Such a busy December, but so much fun! We love spending time together.

Caden's Preschool Program

 Our handsome little guy had his Christmas preschool program on December 9th. We were so excited to see this program because his teachers told us that he was one of the loudest singers in his class. We were surprised to hear this because Caden has been pretty shy, but his teachers said he is really coming out of his shell this year, and we couldn't be more proud of him!

Gosh he is so handsome when he's all dressed up!

Here's some pictures of our little guy. His teachers were right: he was the loudest singer of his class!

 My favorite part is when they dress the kids up as Christmas trees.

 The funniest part of the night was when the kids sang a song with these glasses.

Caden was just going along singing when his glasses accidentally fell off. Caden didn't touch them, but the cute little kid in the brown shirt next to him got his glasses and tried to put them back on Caden. Caden didn't acknowledge the kid, and just kept singing. The little boy finally got them on Caden and a few seconds later they fell off again. So the little boy picked them up again and put them back on Caden. Caden still didn't acknowledge him and kept right on singing. Meanwhile all of us were laughing so hard we could barley breathe! When we asked Caden later that night why he didn't get his glasses himself, he said his teachers told them during practices that if their props fell off they shouldn't touch them. Trust our little rule follower Caden to abide by the rules!

Caden has a pretty great cheering section:

And I just can't say enough about Caden's teachers this year, especially Miss Aubrey. She is the best teacher around and has been so great with Caden. I swear she is the sole reason why he has blossomed and excelled  so much this year.