Christmas in Philly

Before

After
This year we had the opportunity to stay in Philadelphia for Christmas. Yes, I will call it an opportunity. We'd have loved to go home, but we enjoyed three weddings earlier in the year so the travel budget was shall we say less than full. While we missed visiting with our family and friends back home, it was great to have some good family time and enjoy the girls enjoying Christmas! The girls made out like bandits, Santa and the family were good to them as you can see from the loot in the pictures. Derek and I were just as lucky. We had a great time playing together and relaxing for Christmas. We got the whole morning on video, but the only stills we have don't even include our children!! Sad, but next year the camera man will improve, I'm sure.

Christmas Eve Traditions

The Farnsworth family has a great tradition for Christmas Eve. The family gets together and starts off with a great dinner. Then, we dress up the kids and act out the nativity while reading it from the scriptures. Finally, we top the night off with two Christmas pinatas. One for the kids and another for the adults. The adult pinata is a recent addition to the tradition since the kids are growing up (and still want to participate, who wouldn't?) Since we couldn't be there this year, Derek and I made our own pinatas and invited some friends to join in the candy tradition. I thought the kids wouldn't have been able to pull off the nativity, but it retrospect, they would have done great, too bad. But, we did enjoy company, pinatas, cinnamon rolls and hot chocolate. The kids did great at sharing the pinata, and as far as the adults, it didn't even make it to the guys. I guess next year we'll have to make it a bit harder. The next night, actual Christmas eve, we enjoyed a great steak and shrimp dinner. A surf and turf tradition I think Derek wants to keep for good! There's also a Jones tradition of opening our Christmas jammies. I am so grateful for the wonderful traditions of our families that we get to continue and add on to.

The cute kids



Amy givin' Santa a beating!

Ward Christmas Party

Last weekend we had a Christmas dinner at the church and Santa even came to visit! Hailey was so excited this year. As soon as he walked in she was following him around and whispering to me, "there's Santa Claus." When Hailey got to sit on his lap, that was a different story. She was so quiet and tense, but at least she sat on his lap and told him (while looking at me) what she wanted!! The pictures are coming as soon as I get them from Bobbie who was also visiting this last week!

Gingerbread Girl's Night

This month for girl's night we made gingerbread houses. Teresa did a great job making the houses in advance and all we had to do was decorate!! It was fun and I wasa sad to leave early with my weakly decorated house. Thanks again Teresa and the rest of the girls!