Christmas 2016 and McKay is 5!

Updates on Clifton -
Is really into reading the Book of Mormon by himself.  We have been working on it all year long as a family and are almost finished but he took it upon himself to start over and read it by himself.  He wakes up bright and early and reads for almost an hour.  I couldn't be more proud.

Updates on McKay -
She turned 5!  She woke up and asked if she can now go to school with Clifton cause she is five.  I had to sadly let her know she still has a while.

Updates on Stanley -
He is my announcer.  He loves to tell everyone breakfast, lunch, and dinner is ready.  I will tell him to tell everyone else and he will run through the house yelling "dinner ready!"

Monday we woke up to snow!!!

 He lives again!

My backyard in the snow just blows me away!  Best way to wake up.  Clifton had a late start so we got to play for a little while before he had to leave.

Then we had friends come over and take a walk through the trails in the winter wonderland.

A fun walk with friends!  I sure do love where we live and being surrounded by so much beauty.  And we have been so lucky to have snow a couple times already!

We stayed busy this week with more light the world service.

They choose how much money from their piggy banks they wanted to donate to the Salvation Army.

 Put together packets to hand out to the homeless.  However after much searching we didn't find anyone.  But we did find some out the next day and handed them out all week till they were gone.

 Delivering food from the food bank.

 Delivered flowers and a treat to a dear friend who had recently lost a loved one.

 We traveled down to Portland so we decided to give free hugs to all.

On our way home from Portland we decided to stop at a rest stop and hand out cookies.

We had a lot of fun this week playing with friends.

Making gingerbread houses with friends.

We got to go watch Clifton's perform with his choir in his holiday assembly.

So cute!

McKay had her birthday party.  This year she wanted a baking party.  I had a lot of fun planning it.  Each kid made their own pizza, rolled the dough flat and put on toppings.  Then made cupcakes (well mixed some ingredients together and we pulled out already baked cupcakes).

It was crazy, but crazy fun.  She is blessed with great friends!

Friday we headed down to Portland for Christmas with the Stanley's.

 Girls wearing their dress up outfits Grandma got them.

Playing Tenzi with a consequence for the loser (eat some baby formula, drink ham fat, lick the chalk board, eat a spoon full of butter, and lick some instant potatoes before cooked).  Stanley's know how to party :)

Having fun after the kids go to bed with Justin and Mechelle.

Saturday we all went to Chuck E Cheese for McKay's birthday.

These two :)

Then we decided to make a new tradition.  Instead of rushing to open presents Christmas morning before going to the Peterson's we decided to open them Saturday night.

It gave us lot more time to play with what they got.

Christmas and McKay's birthday!

Happy 5th to this cutie.  That Christmas 5 years ago will always be the best Christmas.  Best present ever.

We got all dressed up and went to Alex's sisters ward and were able to listen to his niece sing.

Then to Grandma and Grandpa Peterson's.

Listening to Grandpa read The Selfish Giant.

Opening more presents.

Playing with cousins.  Cousins are the best!

A wonderful Christmas!

Updates on Clifton -
Got an award at school, for being a STAR student.  He was acknowledge for excelling in academics.  We are so proud of him and his love for learning.

Updates on McKay -
So excited for her birthday.  I just love that it doesn't bug her that she was born on Christmas.  In fact we had a conversation about her birthday that had me laughing.  We were talking about Christmas and I asked what Christmas is really about.  She said "Jesus and ME!" That girl :)

Updates on Stanley -
He is obsessed with "shows" (tv).  He ask to watch all day everyday, in the car, out and about, etc... Man it is hard to not just turn the tv on all day :)

Monday for FHE and our light the world activity we went caroling at the Life Care Center with friends.

And had a wonderful night!  We love this tradition.

Then we headed over to a cute house in Port Orchard that goes all out for Christmas to check out their lights.

Such a fun night!

Tuesday and Wednesday we had more basketball.

He explained to me that he likes basketball more than soccer.  I am really enjoying watching him play and improve.

We kept busy with more light the world service this week.  Tuesday we left the garbage man a treat.

We tried to watch to for him to make sure he didn't throw it away but had to leave so we are hoping he saw it.
Wednesday we tried to ding dong ditch a gift for a friend,

but we got caught!
Thursday we handed out free hot coco and cookies in our neighborhood.

Might be my new favorite tradition.  It was a lot of fun!
Friday we went to get a treat in a drive thru and paid for the people behind us.

Not sure my kids really got this one, but it got my heart a pumping and thought it was fun.
Saturday we got to lay wreaths at Veterans cemetery.

Very very very cold morning for Washington but my kids hung in there and I thought it was a great way to explain that sometimes we do hard things for people.  Another new tradition to add to my list!
Sunday we made cookies and took them to the local fire station.

And they showed us around the station.  Love this tradition.  Next year I think I will up my game and make dinner for them.  They are such sweet and wonderful people!  I really have a place in my heart for them because they helped take Stanley to the hospital when he wasn't breathing.

Other fun we have had this week...

McKay and I got to join Clifton in his school jingle bell run.  The whole school ran the distance to the north pole.  Super cute activity!
Watching some handsome boys at their Christmas concert!

Studs!
Preschool shenanigans.  Girls playing in McKay's room and I walked in on them putting chapstick all over their faces because they were sure that's what you are supposed to do.

Making snowflakes!

Sunday the kids got to open their Christmas pj's and movies.

Family jammies, love it!

Cuddles while watching one of their new movies.

Fun/silly things from the week...

Stanley trying to sneak Treasure a cookie.

Making tons of toffee for the first time together.

Trying to wrap presents, she is so helpful!

Stanley washing Clifton for me

Clifton's Christmas card to me.  Take that other mom's of Clifton :)

These two are so cute!  Treasure might get more cuddles than me.