We had a wonderful Christmas this year. First off, on Christmas Eve, we did something new and had some family over to act out the Nativity. I remember enjoying doing this as a kid, and our kids and the cousins seemed to like it too. Jonah really got into his part as the angel; he kept posing with his arms stretched out. It was pretty funny.
Our actors: Jonah- the angel Gabriel and the angel who spoke to the shepherds, Eden- Mary, Matthew- Joseph, Chloe- Shepherd, Levi- Well, he was supposed to be a wiseman, but we didn't really do that part, so I guess he was a shepherd as well.
Afterward, we sang a fun version of The Twelve Days of Christmas, complete with lots of funny actions. Then the kids played and we drank hot chocolate. It was a fun night. I think we'll have to make a tradition out of this.
After the kids' cousins left, we cleaned up and got ready for bed and we let the kids open one present, chosen by Mommy, of course. They loved their new pajamas. Jonah got Cat in the Hat, Eden got Curious George, and Levi got dinosaurs. We practiced getting in our hiding spots and put out some goodies for Santa.
Christmas morning came early, and Peter woke us up when he heard Santa. We let Levi sleep through it, but Jonah and Eden woke up pretty well and we went downstairs and hid in the dark with just the tree lights on. The kids liked seeing Santa and I was worried that Eden would be loud and scare him away, but they were both pretty quiet, except when Jonah noticed that Santa had brought Peter a new mountain bike. Peter was surprised and loved it.
The kids looked through their loot and played with the things Santa brought them before we hit what was under the tree.
The kids did good at taking turns opening presents. Eden loved her new dress-up clothes and even Levi got in on the action. The boy cannot resist shoes, even princess heels!
Levi also loves his new dinosaur that walks and growls.
The boys got some more trains and tracks, which they love to play with, so Santa did good! They played with them all day.
We had a fun dinner with our Willard cousins and Packard 2nd cousins, and then we played a few games, including Beatles Rockband, which they brought. I love Rockband anyway, but a Beatles version? Super awesome. By that time, Grandpa and Grandma and the rest had shown up and we were getting excited for our gift exchange.
The grandkids were barely hanging on; it was pretty late.
So they got to open their presents first before they went to bed. My mom always makes the kids awesome homemade pajamas, and this year, she even made Jonah and Eden robes! I didn't get any pictures of Levi and Eden's, but they are so cute! I will get some pictures up soon. Jonah got baseball pjs and a striped robe, Eden got navy blue satiny flower pjs and a matching robe, and Levi got trains pjs and a matching pillowcase. These pillowcases are a work of art! And I loved the robes this year! My kids will definitely get lots of use out of them.
I have to say, being a girly-girl, I love Eden's pjs the most. They are so cute with the ruffles on the bottom of the pants!
The kids also got some paint and dot-to-dot books, puzzles, and cars from Grandpa and Grandma.
We had a fun gift exchange. My dad got me a new EZ curl bar, something I wanted. Look at my scrawny arms- I need this!
I was so excited to give Lexie her gift, because I knew she would love it! I gave her an edge brownie pan, knowing that she won't eat a brownie that doesn't have an edge on it. Of course, she was excited.
Landon gave Peter a book about Russel M. Nelson, which he loved. He loves reading about the prophets and apostles.
My parents also spoiled us with some awesome homemade gifts of pomegranate jam and syrup.
My favorite gifts this year were of course, the homemade ones. My mom made each of us girls amazing quilts, especially for us, with our personalities and tastes in mind. I love mine, of course! It is so beautiful with all the white and the romantic floral patterns too. This looks like it belongs on Anne Shirley's bed. Thanks, Mom.
Michaela also has been hard at work, making these necklaces for all of us girls and Mom. She made these herself and also personalized them. Mine has an aqua blue charm and a pirate's wheel. They all say "Shulte" on them, which is a word we made up as kids that means sisterly love. So cute and creative!
Michaela also took this beautiful photo of Oceanside Pier and framed it for Peter. It is so pretty. Thanks, Michaela. (Sorry about the glare.)
Even after opening all the presents, we still had time to play a few games and hang out the next day before everyone had to go back home. We found out how dumb we all are with
Are You Smarter Than a Fifth-Grader? and tried out
In a Pickle.
On Saturday night we went to the Mesa Temple Lights again. It was pretty cold, but still a fun outing.
We are so glad that everyone could come, for a little while at least!So now we are just hanging out the rest of the week, trying to get this place back in order!
Hope you all had a Merry Christmas!
We have been trying to find things to do around here since Peter has this week off and the kids are still out of school. Yesterday we went out to the Natural History Museum here and saw some dinosaur bones. It was pretty interesting and the kids loved it.
I know it seems like a big waste of paper and stamps, but I love sending and receiving Christmas cards. It seems like such an old-fashioned tradition, but that's what I love about it. We have had a lot of fun checking the mail this past month.
Our actors: Jonah- the angel Gabriel and the angel who spoke to the shepherds, Eden- Mary, Matthew- Joseph, Chloe- Shepherd, Levi- Well, he was supposed to be a wiseman, but we didn't really do that part, so I guess he was a shepherd as well.
After the kids' cousins left, we cleaned up and got ready for bed and we let the kids open one present, chosen by Mommy, of course. They loved their new pajamas. Jonah got Cat in the Hat, Eden got Curious George, and Levi got dinosaurs. We practiced getting in our hiding spots and put out some goodies for Santa.
Christmas morning came early, and Peter woke us up when he heard Santa. We let Levi sleep through it, but Jonah and Eden woke up pretty well and we went downstairs and hid in the dark with just the tree lights on. The kids liked seeing Santa and I was worried that Eden would be loud and scare him away, but they were both pretty quiet, except when Jonah noticed that Santa had brought Peter a new mountain bike. Peter was surprised and loved it.
Levi also loves his new dinosaur that walks and growls.
The boys got some more trains and tracks, which they love to play with, so Santa did good! They played with them all day.
We had a fun dinner with our Willard cousins and Packard 2nd cousins, and then we played a few games, including Beatles Rockband, which they brought. I love Rockband anyway, but a Beatles version? Super awesome. By that time, Grandpa and Grandma and the rest had shown up and we were getting excited for our gift exchange.
So they got to open their presents first before they went to bed. My mom always makes the kids awesome homemade pajamas, and this year, she even made Jonah and Eden robes! I didn't get any pictures of Levi and Eden's, but they are so cute! I will get some pictures up soon. Jonah got baseball pjs and a striped robe, Eden got navy blue satiny flower pjs and a matching robe, and Levi got trains pjs and a matching pillowcase. These pillowcases are a work of art! And I loved the robes this year! My kids will definitely get lots of use out of them. 
I have to say, being a girly-girl, I love Eden's pjs the most. They are so cute with the ruffles on the bottom of the pants!
The kids also got some paint and dot-to-dot books, puzzles, and cars from Grandpa and Grandma. 
We had a fun gift exchange. My dad got me a new EZ curl bar, something I wanted. Look at my scrawny arms- I need this!
I was so excited to give Lexie her gift, because I knew she would love it! I gave her an edge brownie pan, knowing that she won't eat a brownie that doesn't have an edge on it. Of course, she was excited.
Landon gave Peter a book about Russel M. Nelson, which he loved. He loves reading about the prophets and apostles.
My parents also spoiled us with some awesome homemade gifts of pomegranate jam and syrup.
My favorite gifts this year were of course, the homemade ones. My mom made each of us girls amazing quilts, especially for us, with our personalities and tastes in mind. I love mine, of course! It is so beautiful with all the white and the romantic floral patterns too. This looks like it belongs on Anne Shirley's bed. Thanks, Mom.
Michaela also has been hard at work, making these necklaces for all of us girls and Mom. She made these herself and also personalized them. Mine has an aqua blue charm and a pirate's wheel. They all say "Shulte" on them, which is a word we made up as kids that means sisterly love. So cute and creative! 
Michaela also took this beautiful photo of Oceanside Pier and framed it for Peter. It is so pretty. Thanks, Michaela. (Sorry about the glare.)
Even after opening all the presents, we still had time to play a few games and hang out the next day before everyone had to go back home. We found out how dumb we all are with Are You Smarter Than a Fifth-Grader? and tried out In a Pickle.
On Saturday night we went to the Mesa Temple Lights again. It was pretty cold, but still a fun outing. 
We are so glad that everyone could come, for a little while at least!So now we are just hanging out the rest of the week, trying to get this place back in order!
Hope you all had a Merry Christmas!
We also went to see Princess and the Frog at the movies. The kids all sat through the whole thing, which was quite shocking, but nice. It helps to have a big bucket of popcorn. I thought the movie was... interesting. But I'm sure I'd like it better the second time. I did like the prince; his character was pretty funny. I tried to get a picture when the movie was over, but the kids even wanted to watch the credits!
Last night we finally made it out to the much-anticipated Mesa Temple lights. We missed most of the performance for the night, but the kids still loved it. There are a lot of lights! I had no idea that it was so awesome. We will definitely be doing this every year!
They also had a nativity set up and some other displays, like Mary and Joseph traveling to Bethlehem and the prophet Isaiah. The kids really loved the displays. They wanted to stand there and look at baby Jesus and Mary all night. I would have let them, but it was freezing! Note to self for next year: bring gloves!
So now we are ready for Christmas. Tonight we will be dressing the kids up and acting out the story from the Bible. Then we'll pick out our hiding places to watch Santa come in the morning.
The dance-off!
So the other day, Levi found this gel mask that Peter got me a long time ago and I have never used. Dang- that would have made a great White Elephant gift for the party! More about that later. But anyway, Levi found it and desperately wanted to wear it. So here he is with his "superhero mask" on, watching a movie. He kept that thing on for about two days straight until I put it in the toy basket and I guess he forgot about it. Eden has been wearing this pink Santa hat that I got last year at Victoria's Secret for like two bucks. It's right up her alley- pink on pink with rhinestones all over it!
Jonah finally had his last T-ball game, and then they had their little pizza party. The kids were really excited for all the goodies that everyone brought.
The kids also played Duck, Duck, Goose while we were waiting for the pizzas to come. I love how Eden was so comfortable with Jonah's coach! Don't know how comfortable he was though! Eden calls Jonah's coach "Second Base," even when she sees him at church.
That afternoon, Pulte Homes held a carnival for our community, complete with hot dogs, cotton candy, popcorn, Santa, and bouncy castles! I swear, Pulte knows how to throw a party! We had a great time. Eden jumped right up on Santa's lap, like usual. Jonah opted out, and Levi cried when we put him on Santa's lap. Why do we do this to our kids? I don't know, but it sure is funny.
Of course, Jonah found a chance to display his mad dancing skills.
Those hot dogs were so good!!!
That night we had a few friends over for an Ugly Sweater Party. We all wore some pretty hideously awesome sweaters and also played White Elephant. We voted to see who had the ugliest sweater, and it was a tie, so we had a dance-off! It was pretty funny, but I don't think I'm going to post any pictures for fear of losing said friends! This picture will give you an idea of the party:
Now we are riding out the last week of school and work (Peter took his remaining vacations days) and trying to finish up shopping. I think I am about 90% done! It sure feels nice. Now I get to bake some goodies and enjoy the next 10 days without rushing around!
