MERRY CHRISTMAS

Santa was verrrrry good to us this year! At the beginning of the month we sat down and wrote Santa letters on special cards I brought home from Macy's. We has a FHE about how fortunate we are. Macy's would donate a dollar for every santa letter deposited into special red mail boxes in our stores to the make a wish foundation. So we started the season with a small list and a letter to santa. We tried to continue with remembering how fortunate we are. As you can see from the pictures we have a very large family and our children are truly blessed and loved!!!

Andrus Christmas Eve

Thank you Grandma Juanita for always bring the spirit to our Christmas Eve Celebration. This year she had the kids dress-up (recognize Joseph) in the nativity scene. While John read from Luke 2. All the families gathered around to hear the re-inactment, all silent with a fire behind them glowing. Truly very special for the kids to remember the purpose of the season.


After we sat around singing christmas carols together, gradually working our way down the list to "Here comes Santa Clause", when Santa came into the lawn with a HOHOHO. Cheers went all the small children were so exicited to see him at our party. He came with a large bag of gifts for our children, he sat with us and let each child sit on his lap and gave them a gift. This party is the one my own kids look forward to, it is rair to have a spiritual message in a party atmosphere. They truly love this evening.

Crane Christmas

Great Grandma Crane is so cute. Especially with bunny ears (thanks Aspen). We spendt Christmas Eve lunch with the Crane side of the family. I get to see this side of the family every year at christmas. Sometimes at special occasions, but rairly. It is fun to catch up. Grandma is about 82 give or take a few, all of about 100lbs and maybe 5" tall with heels on. Needless to say I did not get my height from her. But she is such sweet heart, and loves her grandkids and great grand kids. She never misses a birthday either. I hope I have it all together when Im 80.

COOKIE DECORATING

I love CHRISTMAS!! This time of year, just gives me warm fuzzies. The cool weather, a constant rememberence of Jesus Christ through out the world, and seeing all those family members that we miss so much during the regular hussle of life. For family home evening we took the kids out to a yummy dinner at "Ono Hawaiian BBQ" and then we were going to look at christmas lights. Due to the rain we decided to for go the lights. Being cramped up in the truck w/five kids fighting all night with out being able to get out and look at the lights was not high on my list of fun. So we went straight to cookie decorating. Lots of yummy Sugar and Gingerbread cookies, frosting and sprinkle won over the crowd. We wrapped it up w/a movie "ELF" just love that movie! We had a great time enjoyed each other and went to bed with a sugar high!!

White Elephant????

This year at our Annual Andrus Adult Christmas Party, this is the "White Elephant" gift we recieved!! Yep your right that is a little white mouse (Mr. Jingles) to be exact. Of course our kids love it!! It rolls around the house in a little red ball all day, and loves to be held. (NOT BY ME) He just climbs around loving the kids. I guess this is the perfect pet, because I wont touch it so the kids do all the work!!

DECORATIONS

I love christmas decorations!! This year I went all out, take a look!




Yep that's right, this is my kids doing all the work! And that's all the decorations also! WOW I know I went all out. If you think I worked hard, take a look at Steve!



Ya you wish you had older kids to do it for you, dontcha!!!


MERRY CHRISTMAS

OFFICIALLY CRAZY

I know I am officially crazy!!! But I got a second job at the Childrens Place. I just plan to stick with this one until Christmas is over. They give employees a 30% discount!!! Perfect for all the cute christmas dresses and gifts for the girls for christmas presents. Plus it is only season help which means I dont get very many hours, so the discount is the only good part!