My Favorite Christmas Tradition

 One of my favorite things to do during the Christmas Holiday is to take my kids to the cemetery.  This year we were so far behind on so many things that we didn't get to do this until today.  Luckily for us, everything was on sale and we were able to get some fun new things and start a new tradition.  This year, instead of grabbing random ornaments for the tree, I picked 4 ornaments (one per child) that reminded me of my dad.

 How funny is this?  My dad was a mustard freak!  It didn't matter if it was a turkey sandwich or a hot dog, it was SMOTHERED in mustard! My kids didn't know this about my dad.

  Being that my dad was a farmer, he worked LONG hours.  Every morning he would leave for work at 5:00 in the morning and head to circle K for coffee.  After my dad died, we all wondered if the clerk my dad would talk about seeing EVERY morning, wondered why my dad wasn't  coming in for his morning cup of coffee.  

  There was this amazing Chinese restaurant on Main Street called China China  that we ate at often as kids. I remember going there as a child with my family.

  My dad was an amazing athlete.  Much like Case, he was good at every sport he played.  My kids didn't realize that my dad was a basketball player at Westwood.

I loved putting ornaments on the tree that reminded me of my Dad.  It was a great opportunity to teach my kids more about their grandpa.  I can only imagine what he would think of them. There is something so peaceful about the cemetery.  The weather today happened to be amazing.  I wanted to stay longer but I am running out of time for the big day.  Next year I need to go earlier in the month so the Christmas tree can stay up all month, and so I can enjoy the peace and quiet that is there.

Felstead Christmas Party

Tonight we celebrated Christmas at Missy and Troy's house with the Felstead side of the family.  My kids love this party because they get to spend time with the "BIG" cousins.

 This year Aunt Dorme brought a Christmas craft for each kid to work on while the adults were doing their gift trading/exchange.  This kids thought this was fun because they got to wrap it for us to open on Christmas day.

 Berkley loves her big cousin Abby.  These two girls has fun funning around tonight.

 Missy, Kristen, Josh and Chris waiting for their turn at the gift exchange.

 Ledger and Cole playing rock, paper, scissors.

 Aunt Dorme and Ron opening gifts.  

The Best Of Red Fred

 Do you all have the elf who watches your kiddos during the month of December and then reports back to Santa each night?  We do and his name is Red Fred.  He is naughty and silly and is the highlight of our mornings.  This year Red Fred came up with some clever ideas.  He wrapped our toilet...

 TP'd our Christmas tree...

 Decorated the kids pictures on the wall...

And took a ride on the train under our tree. We will sure miss you Red Fred.  See you next December!

Temple Lights

 Tonight we headed to Pei Wei and then to see the temple lights with the big cousins.  My kids love this because they love spending time with their big cousins.  Instead of doing our traditional Monday night temple lights, we went tonight (Thursday).  It was waaaaaay less crowded and much more fun for us all.

 Connor, Ledger and Case.  I swear I don't think the kids even look at the lights while we are at the Temple.  They are too busy wrestling and getting crazy with the cousins.

 Brody getting a lift from Connor.  Connor sure must be strong!

 The nativities at the Temple are amazing!  

 Cute kiddos!

 They have added more lights at the temple this year.  They are so beautiful and the weather was perfect.

 Love this nativity.

 Cole and Berkley having a ball at the temple.

We love that the big cousins aren't too cool to still do temple lights with us.  This is a favorite with my kids and I hope we can continue to do it for many more years.  

Brody, Connor, Cole, Mackenzie, Case, Ledger and Berkley

Crossover Ceremony

 Tonight we hosted a crossover ceremony for Brody and Kaden at our house.  Because Brody and Kaden are turning 11 within a month of each other, they are moving from Cub Scouts to 11 year old scouts.  This is an exciting time for these boys.

 My primary second counselor, Raina Bennett is an amazing Cub Scouter.  She put together the whole ceremony and it was perfect.

 Brody and Kaden got to light a candle for each year they participated in Cub Scouts.  

 After they lit all the candles to represent the years spent in Cub Scouts, both boys removed their Cub Scout shirts and showed off their new 11 year old scout shirts.  

 The other cub scouts did really good listening to the crossover ceremony.  I hope it makes them want to work hard and move on to 11 year old scouts too.

 Camden Hall and Sam Bennett, who are already in 11 year old scouts, were there to welcome Brody and Kaden into the pack.  They recited the Boy Scout Oath together.

 The older boys then showed Brody and Kaden across the bridge as the ceremonial crossover.

 The boys were greeted by their new leader, Tommy Krebs.  They then removed their neckerchief and received the new one.  Brother Krebs then gave the boys a fire starter kit and told them what they could expect as 11 year old scouts.  

 Jeremy and I are so proud of Brody.  We hope his love for scouts will continue and that he will learn some valuable skills that will help him as an adult.

 Raina did a great job planning the crossover ceremony tonight.  She is amazing and really believes in the scouting program.  Way to go Brody Felstead!

 These two boys are so amazing.  Both are kind and hard working.  I am so happy Brody has a friend like Kaden.  I hope these boys will be able to help each other as they continue through scouts.  

Can you believe this December sunset?  Beautiful!