Evelyn Mae.

 The newest addition to the Simons family arrived today.

Meet Evelyn Mae.

Congratulations Brad and Amber.

Happy first time dad!

{Gregg's little brother}

Gingerbread House.

 Tonight we worked on our gingerbread house.  Every year for family night my mom would make ginger bread and cut it into a house and we would decorate it - it was a master piece.  This year I had to take the easy road and buy a kit!

 There may or may not have been some hot glue added for extra support :)

The boys decided where they wanted the candy to go and what patterns to do - I think they did a really good job.

Truman's Christmas Program.

Truman had his Christmas sing-a-long today at school.  It was cute to see him with his friends and to see what he has been working on so far this year.

I was surprised I didn't know most of the tunes they sang.

He was supper excited about this gift from his teacher, Miss. Lisa/

Quinn Christmas.

Last night we celebrated Christmas with the Quinn family.  It was the only night during the holiday season that everyone {who was going to be in town} was in town - well that is except my dad! 

We totally forgot to take into consideration my dad's work schedule.  We all know he flies home on Thursday nights - but it didn't even cross our mind and we planned this huge family party for Wednesday night.  We begged and pleated with him to come home early but he couldn't - so we decided to celebrate without him - sorry dad.

{Nate and Lauren flew in yesterday and Dallin and Becca fly out tomorrow so it really was the only night}

Nate and his amazing long hair {!?}

My brie appetizer.

Gregg getting in the Christmas spirit.

Baby Nelson.

The nieces and nephews love uncle Nate, he played cards with them forever.

{I do not know what is up with the awful color - wrong setting, and bad editing - sorry}

The Hopkinson's candy christmas tree.

We always do a Christmas program.  Lauren is always so gracious to bring her bells and lead us in a few Christmas songs.

The kids all share a talent - Truman played a song from music class on the auto harp.

So of course Bodie had to play one too!

He actually totally did it and we all sang along. Why didn't I take a video???

Jean also played a song from music class.

Addie played her new violin

And so did Becca.

Did you know we now have a professional violist in the family!! :)

And Lauren whipped out her accompaniment skills with out even practicing once

AND, we learned that back in Michigan our sister-in-law Sharon also plays violin.

Enoch played the piano with his mom

And of course the boys brought out their trumpets from high school and played a little impromptu Christmas song with some friendly brotherly competition.  It wasn't the same without McKay on the third trumpet. 

Then we attempted to sing Silent Night in spanish for McKay... it's a three part video, pure entertainment {especially if you actually know how to speak spanish}

It was a fun night, despite my lame picture taking.

Bodie's School Program.

Today I went to Bodie's school to see him perform the songs they have been working on for Christmas.  It was so cute!

His santa.

He told me every single step to making this decoration - we was so proud.

Santa hand prints.

Snowman cheese stick.

Goofy kid!

Christmas Card 2013.

The Greatest Miracle.

The following article is in the Ensign this month - it was written by a lady from my home ward in Park City about her teenage daughter who passed away 6 years ago in a car accident in Parley's Canyon.   I found it really touching.

{click HERE to read it online}

My favorite part of her story is this insight,

" As I pondered the Resurrection and the Crucifixion, I identified with Mary. She loved her newborn Son, and she later endured terrible pain and anguish as she witnessed His suffering and death. Christ was not spared the cross, and Mary was not spared her grief."

Celebrations.

Yesterday was my birthday, and we had a fun night out at our friends Christmas party.  Today is Dallin's birthday and my parents 35th wedding anniversary so after church we had everyone over to celebrate.

 My boys gave me these awesome camo slippers for my birthday.

They went out shopping for me a few days ago - I told Gregg to let the boys pick out some slippers for me {since I was in need}.  Gregg said he picked out two pair and told the boys they could choose between the two - Truman said, "noway dad, I will pick out what mom will love" and then he found these camo slippers.  Gregg said he tried desperately to talk Truman out of them but there was no changing his mind.  I love them!  And how appropriate, the boys love to play "army guys" and now I can be a part of the army.

Birthday dinner

{still no dining room table so we have to all eat around the island}

We made a scandinavian dinner for Dallin to remind him of his mission.

My mom gave me this cute butter dish for by birthday along with a whole slew of great gadgets for my new kitchen - she is so good to me!

My mom's amazing homemade carrot cake for me - tradition.

"Knock your socks off cake" for Dallin.

Birthday banner Truman and Bodie made for Dallin.

{I couldn't find my birthday box of decorations so we quickly made our own}

My desperate attempted for a Sunday afternoon nap turned into this!

Thanks Bodie.