Two Kings and two babes...

Every year our Stake hosts a nativity exhibit. For my Ann Arbor framily out there it is just like The Creche Exhibit (only fancier). We (the members) deck out the church in a rather impressive Bethlehem like backdrop and display our various nativities from around the world. I believe this year they said there was over 450. There are many musical performances throughout the weekend and the community is welcome also. The music is beautiful and it is such a wonderful way to kick off the Christmas season (it was held the first weekend in December). Each year families can dress up and have your picture taken in the Manger. In years previous, Weston has refused but this year momma made sure it happened since we had our very own baby Jesus. I am not sure where Joseph was when we took the picture. Weston wanted to be a King (go figure) and so little W followed suit.A "King" and an "Angel". Warren with his friend Charlotte. Is that the proudest King you ever did see?

Warren's masterpiece....ok ok...so mom helped....a tinsy bit.

Another Christmas tradition is visiting the most impressive outdoor Christmas train display EVER. This family is amazing. Their entire yard is filled with trains of all sizes and decorations galore. The guy takes two weeks off work before Thanksgiving setting it all up and then sits outside from 6-9 pm with his family every night running the trains and giving kids rides, etc. For Warren this equals pure joy, being the train junkie that he is. Warren and his friend Ashira overlooking the beauty.

Warren and pure joy.

A Wish Come True...

Christmas Miracles have begun! Last Wed, Warren comes downstairs (he had been watching ELF) and comes into the kitchen. I look at him and he has the most longingly sad look on his face. I ask him what he is thinking about. He then says, " Mom, there is NO snow in Texas and that makes me REALLY, REALLY sad." You should have seen the puppy dog eyes. I explained that maybe when we go to Utah to visit again he will get to play in the snow then, etc. He expresses his displeasure again and dragging his feet.... goes upstairs to finish his movie. A half hour later we look out the window and could not believe our eyes! SNOW!? In Houston!???? What the?? You have never witnessed such jolly smiles and magical giggles before in your life!

We had a snowball fight and tasted a most rare delicacy...snow d'houston. Delicious.

In the eyes of my boys...

A few weeks ago we had some new pictures taken of the boys and I just got them back and thought I would share the wealth. Enjoy!

The Benjamin (3 months old) : I don't know how we possibly managed it but somehow we lucked out and got another angel baby boy in our family. Benjamin is such a joy to us and he is so good natured. He is the biggest flirt ever and VERY social (I don't know where he gets it). He LOVES to talk and tells the best stories. He will grin and woo you as long as you are willing. We are lovin his chubby little self to pieces. I feel so honored to be his momma.

Momma & me: Loving those cheeks!! (Both sets that is)

Mr Warren (3 1/2 yrs): I didn't originally plan on getting pictures done of Warren because we just had some done when he turned three... BUT he was starting to compete a little for the photographer's attention after focusing on Benjamin for so long so she took a few shots. His hair wasn't even combed but I ended up loving these. I just started talking to him and she just shot as we talked and I was amazed how many "classic Warren" expressions she captured. He is such a little character. I can't even remember what life was like without our Mr Warren.

Brothers: At the end of an almost 2 hour photo shoot Benjamin was getting a little tired and fussy....but its ok cause BIG brother got his back.

Chevy Chase Christmas

Everybody who knows Weston, should know that he loves Christmas Vacation with Chevy Chase. I think he has really watched it at least 2000 times. We have both always dreamed of doing the old fashioned family Christmas and going and cutting down our own Christmas Tree for some time now. Last year was the first year that we made this "dream" a reality. Some of our friends here have been doing it for years and recommended Mill Hollow as a great place to go. We are hooked and I think this will be a Christmas tradition from here forward.

The atmosphere is wonderful. Not only do you get to rub elbows with the good old country folk but you actually get to find and cut down your tree and enjoy all kinds of fun activities there. They have a hay ride, tire rolling, weiner & marshamallow roast over a bon fire, mud trikes for the kids, etc. It is so fun. Below is some footage from this year's adventure. Pictures don't do it justice. The video is a little choppy because I had to edit a lot to keep this video from being too long. We had a bit of a hard time cutting it down this year so I had a fun time teasing Weston about it....and of course the kiddo's are always the center of the show. Enjoy!

Here is the short version...if you don't want to watch the video:

Slightly leaning to the right..."now THAT there is a TREE!!"

WANTED: Advent Caper

On the 30th of Nov our friends brought us the most darling Christmas advent calender made out of Hershey Kisses. We explained to Warren how it worked and then I put it on top of the fridge...out of sight, out of mind right? The next day I went upstairs to nurse Benjamin and so I was unavailable for about 20-25 minutes. Afterward, when I walked into the kitchen this is what I found. The crime scene (December 1): 24 kisses missing, foil wrappers everwhere, and chocolate finger prints ever so slight. A present but partially opened Reeses peanut butter cup on day 25.
The suspect: Warren Maxwell Hall, male, brown hair, hazel eyes, 3 feet 6 inches, 34 lbs. Has been convicted as a chocolate addict in years past. Please be vigilant and lock up all your chocolate. Suspect is charming, hungry and a seasoned climber.