Better Late than Never. . .

. . .or is it really "now or never" that is more applicable? Either way, here is what we did for the 11th - 25th days of Christmas:

We walked the streets of Bethlehem. . .basking in the glow of twinkle lights. Our Ward Christmas party was quite a bash, with dried fruit and nuts and pita sandwiches. Story corner was a hit, as was the coloring booth and the bead hut. Had the weather been warmer I am sure the donkeys and goats would have garnered more attention, as it was, we kept our party mostly inside, under the flatteringly dim lights, spending our coins and socializing with the other gown clad city dwellers. . .

We kicked off our annual puzzle night--or nights, because we never finish it in one sitting. In fact, this year we opted for a 500 piece instead of 1000, due to last year's puzzle never actually getting completed. As we worked on it I kept thinking of the year Sig and her neighbor friend Luke made it rain puzzle pieces when we were oh so close to finishing. Even that year we finished--during our second attempt. We figured we would stack the odds in our favor this year. And it worked--we finished!

On several days we made candy and holiday goodness, but at least once each year we make a night of it and whip up several dishes--some Rob makes and some I make. Then we make the kids taste each thing blind folded and choose which candy is the best, not knowing who made it. Rob always wins, but this year the girls picked my super simple peppermint bark. Yeah me! I actually liked the English Toffee. I have been trying to make it for years, so of course Rob decided HE will make it this year and it turns out great--though I would have added crushed almonds to the top.

We actually got most of our Christmas shopping done early this year and that meant I had one REALLY big wrapping party one night. I always love making the packages match with cute tags and ribbons. This year my favorite this was this bucket of 60 chipboard tags I got at Target for a couple bucks. I used almost all of them!

Hannah's grade did a Christmas program before their class party this year: Elfis and the Sleighriders. She didn't get the part she wanted, but it was pretty entertaining, none-the-less. One of her two best friends got a singing part and that girl could belt it. Afterwards, they had a gift exchange in their classroom--it was shocking what those kids found to buy each other under $5.

On two nights we did neighbor and friend gift exchanges. It amazes me how well these kids know what each other wants. I should be such a good and observant friend. . .or wife for that matter ( though I did better figuring out what Rob wanted this year than I have for YEARS).

We also did a few other fun things that managed to not get photographed (or not photographed well!) The girls got their teachers soup bowels with packages of soup in them. We drove around and looked at the lights (I wish I had gotten a picture of our neighbor's house--holy light show! she will not be outdone). We had our family movie night--which is different from the nightly Christmas movie in that it is kid friendly and done BEFORE the girls are snug in bed, which is when Rob and I watch our movies. And of course we took the girls shopping for the gifts they gave each other and us and their friends. Plus many nights were spent practicing the songs the girls were learning for their Christmas Eve piano concert.

Christmas Eve we fulfilled our traditional ringing of the bell--it never fails to put us in the Christmas spirit. . .

Then we capped the night off with our formal candlelight dinner, (Crab dip on baguette slices - Ham, broccoli, creamy Yukon potato gratin - lemon cake with lemon sauce and whipped cream) followed by placing our place name tags where we wanted Santa to leave our gifts. And for the first year ever we had our long awaited concert: Hannah & Rob - Carol of the Bells, Signe and Rob - Silent Night, Hannah & Signe - Jingle Bells. Then they opened the traditional one present before bed and hit the hay. Of course we stayed up and watched It's a Wonderful Life, as we always do. And we loved it. . .again.

Then. . . MERRY CHRISTMAS! to us. Signe walked right past her Santa gift--the doll house taller than her--and went to her stocking. We asked her what Santa brought her and she just pointed at her stocking. We redirected her to the HUGE house about five inches from her shoulder. She was thrilled. Hannah got her much requested sewing machine--which I will be borrowing since it is better than my ancient thing. Then we ran to the airport to pick up Manna before lazing around all day playing with our new stuff and being together. The only thing missing was the snow. . . it didn't make an appearance for three more days.

I hope your Christmas was merry and bright!