Excell Family with the nativity

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Excell Family with the nativity
Originally uploaded by Excell Clan

Our ward thought it would be a great idea for the kids of the ward to get to have a picture with a live nativity instead of with Santa Clause this year. It turned out cute and it gave me the chance to have a talk about Santa Clause's place in Christmas with the kids. We listened to the song "Where is the line to see Jesus" and then all the kids lined up. Luckily Katie was quick on her feet, we were one of the first families to get done. A few min after this picture was done we were home getting ready for bed and Dalton started howling (He NEVER cries - not kidding) It was his first tooth making an appearance. A few hrs after this picture Dalton had his first tooth break through. (I'm glad Katie is a go getter!) (Second one broke through tonight)

Holiday Traditions

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Originally uploaded by Excell Clan

Ethan's 1st piano Recital. He did a great job. He practiced his pieces all month. He even played them from memory when we went to see Santa Clause at the Festival of Trees. He makes playing the piano look easy and I am quite sure that that is not the case.

Holiday Traditions

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Originally uploaded by Excell Clan

Katie has taken piano for 4 years now and she had a recital last week. They always do a Christmas Recital and the kids earn a certificate of achievement. Last year we didn't make it because Ethan rolled a rock onto Katie's hand and she couldn't play. She played the most songs of all the students this year (12 in all).

Holiday Traditions

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Originally uploaded by Excell Clan

The Nutcracker. This year Katie had 3 dances and Amberli 1. We had someone dancing through the whole show. Grandma and Grandpa Sweetheart came, and so did Grandma Hall. Katie and Amberli invited our new neighbor Judy to come and watch and she did. (Amberli and Katie had 3 cousins dancing in it two that live on our street - each one of them invited Judy as well) Aunt Crystal was kind enough to baby sit the younger two kids so that I could go help Katie with her costume changes. Thanks Crystal!

Holiday Traditions

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Originally uploaded by Excell Clan

Every year we get together with My family and go cut down Christmas trees. This year we found a particularly great spot. The Rocks made for great climbing and even Rascal made it up.

Holiday Traditions

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Originally uploaded by Excell Clan

Watch out Dalton, apparently Daddy spits....

Holiday Traditions

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Originally uploaded by Excell Clan

Sammi was so good on our excursion. She walked around like a big kid and wanted to do all the big kid things.

Holiday Traditions

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Originally uploaded by Excell Clan

My own little critters. Should I be worried that it is Ethan that is leading the way?

Holiday Traditions

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Originally uploaded by Excell Clan

Every year we drive out to Tuachan and watch their live nativity. It is a beautiful nativity with live animals, music and scripture quotes. Santa is always there as well. We actually got everyone looking almost happy to be sitting with this odd fellow. The kids really have a good time out there.

Holiday Traditions

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Originally uploaded by Excell Clan

The month of December is always a busy one for our family, but it is also full of fun, and family activities. This year I decided to try out a new idea. We bought lots of pumpkins this year for Halloween and Thanksgiving, so this year I baked them up and we tried lots of new foods. This one is Pumpkin Doughnuts that were delicious. The kids decorated the tree the weekend after Thanksgiving while I made the treats. They were quite good and I think we will try it again next year.