Holiday – Page 7 – Kotter Family

Christmas 2013

We had a great Christmas this year, other then the fact we had some sickness move (and still moving) through our house. McKinley wasn’t feeling the best on Christmas Eve or Christmas day. She actually went back to sleep at like 9 am, so I ended up staying with her while Kryssi went and visited family. William got a cold and has had a hard time sleeping, so that’s been fun. And then I ended up getting shingles, which I didn’t think someone my age could even get but it’s not something I ever want to experience again.

But in spite of all that, we had a great time. The kids were happy with everything they got and we had lots of fun with family.

Sitting in mom and dad's bed, waiting to go see what Santa brought. — Sitting in mom and dad’s bed, waiting to go see what Santa brought.

William playing with one of his presents.

"Whoa, Hot Wheels!" — “Whoa, Hot Wheels!”

She wasn't feeling the best but she was happy with everything she got. — She wasn’t feeling the best but she was happy with everything she got.

Christmas Eve musical performance

We always have a recital on Christmas Eve. There’s lots of talent in the Kotters/Fieldings and it’s nice to be able to enjoy that at least once a year. The kids sang I Am A Child of God, which Lucas didn’t want to but he did a great job. I think the favorite this year though was Jordan and Cahlin singing Nobody Likes Me, Everybody Hates Me. I’ve heard both Lucas and McKinley singing that since then, which I think qualifies as a success on Jordan and Cahlin’s part.

Christmas Eve 2013

Opening one present on Christmas Eve morning.

Presents!

Waiting for lunch.

The two babies hanging out while the rest of us eat lunch.

Lunch time!

Playing some games.

Green picture.

Red picture.

Lucas with his big bag of green popcorn from Aunt Lynda.

Playing more games.

William wasn’t too sure about Santa, but he didn’t ever really cry.

Getting to sit on Santa’s lap.

“Hmm.. what do I want?”

Everyone dressed up for our Nativity.

McKinley was a sheep.

Lucas got to be a star.

Waiting for Tender Mercies and dinner.

Note: I’ve mentioned this before but just to reiterate: the thumbnails above can be clicked on to open larger images, which you can then navigate through.

Christmas crafts

We decided to do a couple Christmas crafts, as part of FHE this week. We decorated Christmas trees (ice cream cones, frosting, candy) and make reindeer ornaments. The ornament was one I made when I was younger, and the kids saw it when we decorated our tree and wanted to make one for themselves.

Frosting the 'tree'. — Frosting the ‘tree’.

Putting some candy on the tree. William sucking on my sweater string, his favorite thing to do.

Neighbor gifts

Last Sunday we made some cookies and brought some plates around to some of our neighbors. We love our neighborhood and even though we don’t know our neighbors too well yet, we wanted to share the Christmas spirit.

Growing up, I remember most years going out with my dad and delivering plates of goodies to people. I usually had to dress up as an elf and we had to sing ‘We Wish You a Merry Christmas’, which I didn’t force any of my kids to do that, at least not this year…

Plates of gingerbread squares and peanut butter fudge-filled cookies.

Santa & reindeer

We went and saw Santa and some of his reindeer. The kids were really excited about it, besides the fact it was in the single digits outside. We had to wait a bit in line, so I stayed while Kryssi waited in the van with the kids, as it was cold. But it was worth it.

Sitting on Santa's lap. — Sitting on Santa’s lap.

Decorating the tree

Christmas lights

The great thing about owning our own home this year is we got to put up Christmas lights! We didn’t do much, just the front roof line, but it was better then nothing. Eventually I want the entire roofline, trees, maybe some inflatable decorations, etc.

Thanksgiving

We had a good Thanksgiving this year. We were with the Gregory’s and the kids loved playing with their cousins. The only downside to all the kids is all the germs, as most everyone ended up getting sick, which wasn’t a fun end to the Thanksgiving weekend.

The kids got to open a present on Thanksgiving, one from their cousins, as not all the cousins will be there on Christmas. So they were super excited to do that. The weather was great as well, which is pretty amazing for this time of year. The kids spent some time playing outside and going on a walk.

We are extremely grateful for all the blessings we have this year: the new addition to our family, our new house, the health and strength we have, etc, etc.

Getting some food ready.

Our veggie turkey.

Brothers

She was hungry!

Kids are ready to eat.

Playing Thanksgiving bingo.

William opening his present.

McKinley opening her present.

Lucas with his present.

Grandkids with their grandma and grandpa.

Halloween

Halloween 2013 has come and gone already. The kids had a great time trick-or-treating and enjoying some other activities. Lucas had a school party and a parade, where the kids walked around through all the classrooms. We got to go watch him and I think he was excited to have us at his school. He dressed up as Batman this year, but couldn’t wear a mask at school, so he dressed up as a pirate for school.

Kryssi helped out with his school party, so McKinley got to go for that. She dressed up as a Princess, but then that evening decided she wanted to be a monkey. So both kids got to dress up twice. William had a monkey costume but I’m not sure he ever wore it.

We got quite a few trick-or-treaters coming to our house, which was a new experience for us, as we’ve never had very many come in the past. We actually ran out of candy, but it was okay as it was about 8 at that time and our kids were going to bed, so we didn’t want people ringing our doorbell at that point. But next year I guess we’ll have to buy more and be prepared.

It was quite cold and a little rainy at times but we’ve had worse Halloweens in the past, weather wise.

Lucas in his school parade. His teacher is Minnie.