Emma was invited to a Rockstar birthday party, which prompted a quick trip to "Savers: the department thrift store," where we found a metal chain belt, purple sunglasses, and an awesome tiered skirt. Emma was in heaven. Then the other two followed suit.
Every year, Peg's sand dollar tree is the most beautiful thing ever.
The girls loved "helping" make cookies with Mimi in the kitchen.
We visited the Aquarium in Newport and the kids really enjoyed being able to see and touch so many different things. We got quite a show from the seals, and the CEO happened upon our little family and invited us behind the scenes to see their huge water tanks and training areas so we felt like we were VIPs. Ha.
This giant crab was sort of freaky.
The Shark Tunnel!
It really was so neat to sit there and watch the sharks go by. I love Henry's face.
Chels and Mike wrapped up Oliver and lugged him down to the beach too... which is a pretty significant feat considering there are like 100 stairs to descend.
Madeline hated her pants to get wet, and she was not confident that they would stay rolled up on their own, so she walked around hunched over and holding her pants the entire time! Poor thing, I just wish she could have relaxed.
After a delicious Christmas Eve dinner, we held our annual live nativity. The kids are old enough now that they really love to play their parts. I think this is definintely the sweetest nativity ever! And with our very own baby Jesus (Dylan). 
Sweet angels.
Mary fair. Every 7 year-old girl dreams of being Mary and this was Emma's lucky day.
Perhaps the most adorable wise man ever! Preston!
Jade was our little lamb.
Uncle Eric read from Luke 2.
And then, all the kids got new pjs to sleep in! Emma never did give up baby "Jesus."
We left cookies and hot chocolate for Santa with lots of letters.
The kids slept downstairs all in a row of sleeping bags. It took them a few hours to finally fall asleep, but they slept until after 7 so the parents were thrilled. And then the mayhem hit...
Santa left a mess in the front yard and a letter apologizing. You see, he was in a hurry and had to feed the reindeer on the front lawn.
Presents...
Wow. What a fun, fun, fun time had by all!
Isn't this a beautiful picture of the Salt Lake Temple?
Our kids really loved the Christus. They just sat on the ground in front of it and stared. It is so beautiful and I could hardly get Emma to leave.
Ryan performed as "Santa Claus" in a reader's theatre that his class put on. It was darling!
Both Ryan and Emma performed at the school Christmas concert. The French songs were beautiful!
