Hustle and Bustle of Christmas

Isn't he the cutest baby ever? I figured that if I begin with a cute baby picture then I might entice more of you to read the post. :)

Tis the season... for tinsel and holly as well as snowfall and crowds everywhere. Perspective is funny. When I was growing up, I remember traveling to the mall in Orem a few times a year. Usually for school shopping and then around the holidays for Christmas shopping (growing up in a small town there wasn't much selection available). Coming to the city was so exciting and fun- something to be anticipated. Now that I live just block away from that same mall I try and avoid it at all costs. If I don't get my errands done before lunchtime then I just wait for another day to avoid all the people. Not sure what that says about me? Maybe I'm just getting old. Maybe shopping without money just isn't all that fun anymore. At least I have a few years before my kids start asking to go hang out at the mall. Then I will really be old.....

At the beginning of the month we went to the Festive of Trees. Its an annual way to help raise money for Primary Children's Medical Center. Many of my friends babies were/are cared for at PCMC and Jonah would have been sent there if he had really had gastrochesis. Its a great hospital and they operate a lot on donations because no child is turned away for medical care.

Anyway, the festive is a good way to get into the holiday spirit. They have amazing trees, wreaths and gingerbread houses that they auction for loads of money. I posted a few of my favorites (though there were tons of cool trees).

Left: Pez Tree Right: Winnie the Pooh theme

Left: Beach theme Right: Tree made of blown glass- this was so cool. There were lights under the glass that flashed with music. Definitely not a kid friendly piece though. :)

Left: Noah's Ark Tree Right: Tree made of Golf Clubs (Baseball bats would have been better)

This Gingerbread Haus was amazing.

This was the gingerbread creation done by BYU. I don't think Malik was involved in making it but he did help transport it to the convention center (wait to go hon!)

Another holiday first for our family this year was a performance of Handbell Ringers. They did a program at the local library and we enjoyed attending. Zipporah was even chosen as one of the children volunteers who got to ring a bell for one of the songs.

Most of the Marx grand kids made it into this picture. We had fun meeting up with my family in SLC for a weekend of holiday activities.

During our Marx gathering we staged the nativity. Here is Mary and Joseph and a shepard I think. Jonah got the lead role as the baby Jesus since he was the youngest boy baby this year.

Jonah is starting the roll over process. He can move his hips over and is starting to twist a little more. Mom is excited for his milestones but not encouraging him to grow up too fast.

When I finally convinced Parker to take a nap, this is how I found him. His fingers were in his ears and the blanket was actually over his head (he has been doing that a lot lately with the blanket). Silly boy.

This is a short video from the kids Christmas sing in which was Friday. Zipporah is on the top row third from the right. Miles is on the bottom row second from the right. Next to Miles is his friend Eduardo whom he is a full head taller than :) Its not a great recording but I thought it would be fun to post anyway. The song is Polar Puppy.