This is the Place

 For the past 18 years, my roommates from college have met up around Christmas for a reunion of sorts.  We all have kids and have included them in the tradition for the last couple of years.  This year we all met at This is the Place for the candlelight Christmas.  The kids started off making a craft.

 Each building has a different activity.  Emily really enjoyed the reindeer outside of Santa's house.

 Emily was more than happy to sit on Santa's lap.  The other two at least stood by him for a picture.

 We didn't have as much complaining because everyone dressed for the weather and there were other kids around.

 Everyone was able to sign the naughty or nice list.  Tyler, Megan, and Emily all decided it would be fun to sign the naughty list.  They really just wanted the candy.

 We also participated in the pioneer dancing.  My friend Alee has kids the same age as all of ours.  That made for perfect dance partners.  Megan and McKade were more willing than Tyler and Emily.

 We were impressed that Tyler joined in the fun.  All the way down to Salt Lake he told us he wasn't going to dance.  Well they are always in need of more boys and he was forced into it, but actually had a smile on his face while doing it.

It was a fun night with fun people.  Next year we may try something different, but the plans are made to still get together.  I love that Christmas is about traditions.

Christmas Village

 Christmas Village is a tradition I remember from a very young age.  I love going and looking at the little houses and all of the lights.  Tyler and Megan, however, complained the entire time we were there.  They said the houses always look the same and that they didn't understand why it had to be so cold.

 Because of their complaining we made them look at every house.  Luckily, Emily was a little more enthused about the entire night and actually wanted to look in the windows.

 We must be getting teenagers.  We told them they would have to come every year and one day they would appreciate the tradition.

This little house has been around forever, but it is our favorite.  We were almost done at this point and there are actual smiles on the kids' faces.  A major feat.  Next year Megan will dress a little warmer and she may actually not complain as much is she wears socks and not just little shoes.

Family Night

Another tradition we love is going to a nativity program in a barn with our friends on the Monday before Christmas.  

 The barn is huge and this year there were tons of people there.  A family does this every year as their gift to the community.  They present a musical program, read a story, sing carols, and then present the nativity.

Emily was able to dress up as one of the shepherds.  After the program is over the family gives everyone doughnuts and hot cider.  It is a fun way to be reminded of the reason we celebrate Christmas.

Bowling Party!

 Renting the bowling alley has been a tradition for a family party since before we even had kids.  We get to bowl and eat all kinds of yummy food.

 After the bowling alley we always head to a church and exchange white elephants.  The little kids have their own circle so they get new stuff.

 The adults aren't so lucky.  The white elephants ranged from a broken ceiling fan to extra large men's underwear.  A little of everything.  After the white elephants Santa always makes an appearance.

 Tyler and Megan may be a little big for Santa, but they know if they don't sit on his lap they won't get the goods.  A fun tradition that always marks the last week before Christmas.

Cookie Day!

 Last year we decided we needed a cookie day.  Emily just couldn't understand why her friends had days where they baked and we did not.  We enlisted the help of Mammy and Taycina.  This year we even made Camille join in the fun.  We came up with the 2nd Saturday of December for our new tradition.

 We each came up with a recipe and then we baked and decorated.  It was so much fun spending the day in the kitchen.  The mess wasn't quite as fun to clean up, but the finished products were worth it.

We hope our neighbors that received the plates of food thought they were yummy. 

New York City

Before heading to Connecticut, we all met in New York City for a couple of days. Because we are cheap we actually stayed in Newark, NJ, and then rode the subway in every day. (Let's just say parts of Newark are really how they are portrayed in the movies.) The subway took us straight to the World Trade Center stop each morning. This is the progress so far on the freedom tower. It's impressive to see the area affected on 9/11 and how it has changed.














The kids entertained themselves on the subways with their DS lites.

While in New York we tried to eat at some different restaurants. Carnegie Deli has been featured on tons of talk shows and has their walls lined with pictures of celebrities. I think Emily thought everyone that came to the restaurant got their picture taken. She asked me if they had to hang up her picture because she didn't think her hair looked that good that day. Maybe someday.....

Times Square is always a favorite and the Toys R Us store is a must see when traveling with kids. They were thrilled when Mammy offered to let them ride the ferris wheel inside the store. A dream come true for Emily, Tyler, and Megan.

Wall Street and the Trinity Church were not quite as exciting as Times Square, but still fun to look at. Tyler was enthralled with the dates on the headstones at the cemetery of the church. Some were from the 1600's. The church was actually made famous in National Treasure.