Christmas Day

 Millie gave Ben a Kung Fu Panda figure and was quite pleased that he liked it.

She loved her new doll.

The big boys hugged it out with JB after a gift they loved.

JB loves his own treats.

I tried to catch Andrew in action when he opened something he loved.

And James.

Millie loved her doll floaties. 

James is easy to please.

Andrew's new socks say, "Life is better with goats."

Ben got Legos from us and from Max. 

Max got new tennis shoes for tennis

We were all done pretty early, with lots of time to get ready for Church. I sent a picture of my new stacking necklaces to my sister.

Church was absolutely beautiful. I love singing Christmas hymns, and singing together with everyone made me feel such a special Spirit. James helped Millie sing. Here he is pointing out the words. The moment was so sweet and unexpected, I had to sneak a picture.

The talks were touching, and I felt so blessed to be able to celebrate the birth of the Savior!

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve we did some sledding at the park. The weather warmed up to somewhere around 40 degrees.

Andrew tried sledding backward.

Ben would challenge Millie to races on their tummies, like penguins. Then she would try to "freeze" him.

Millie went down over and over with anyone on the back of the sled with her.

That night, we drove around to Christmas Street to look at the lights and read out loud Luke 2. Then we thought we'd open some sibling presents. I was touched how excited James was for everyone to open what he got for them. We ended up only opening one each, and most were from James. 

James picked out a bottle of Coke for JB and got a hug afterward.

Hugging Ben after giving him a treat.

Hugging Max after giving him some candy.

Millie hugging Andrew after giving him a fidget.

Andrew's birthday

Andrew turned 12 this month! His birthday was the Sunday before Christmas. He is clever, creative and cunning.  He crafts, codes and cartoons. He loves books and babies and is a baby-whisperer. He walks Bella every day and would love to stay up later at night if we let him.

We went to Nona and Papa's house for dinner and to have his cake with cousins.

He wanted a carrot cake, and he wanted it to look like Moon Knight, so he had the idea to use fondant strips, and he decorated the cake all by himself.

Nona and Papa gave him this cool multi-game set, and he has been improving at checkers and chess.

That night, the kids also all unwrapped the matching Christmas jammies. 

Here are Jane, Ben, Emily and Max.

Here are Phin, Aaron, Andrew and James.

Then the next set, Millie, Spencer and Millie.

Theo, Kira and Silas.

Lou and Alice.

Ben's birthday

Ben turned 15 this month! He came upstairs to watch a show with the others before we opened presents that morning.

Millie is teasing him or he is teasing her. Both things happen frequently.

After school, we went to Raising Cane's for dinner.

And then we had his cake and took the kissing picture.

He really likes an ice cream dessert JB has made, with peppermint JoJos and peppermint ice cream, so I tried a white chocolate peppermint cake from Cake by Courtney. It was really good.

Ben is kind and notices things about others. He is clever and creative and very smart, and works hard to keep his grades high, even when he has to miss a class for basketball. He is a good babysitter for families in our neighborhood and loves to go to the movies whenever he can. It's time for him to learn how to drive soon!

Basketball games

We are having so much fun watching Ben play on the high school freshman team this year. He has practice every day, even Saturdays, and he works hard to be a good teammate and listen to his coach. He's had some great defense, too. And they are 6-0 so far!

 

Papa and Nona have been able to watch, too.

And Millie comes sometimes.

Here are his official pictures.

And one of him with the team that I loved.

Meanwhile, James is on a 4th grade Junior Jazz team. He's playing in the gym Max and Ben used to play in years ago. I'll have to get a better picture of him before the season ends. 

Millie came with me one time.

Our Saturdays have been busy, and thankfully we have a driver named Max who has been able to take James to two of his games while JB and I had a funeral one day and stake meetings another day. After the Christmas break, James will play again in January and I hope he is having fun.

Being on the team meant he got two tickets to a Utah Jazz game. JB took him last Tuesday.