Christmas Eve 2012

 Just as every other year, Christmas has seemed to sneak up on us quicker than expected! Life has been busy and there are times that "over the top" just isn't possible for us and we have decided that's ok! 

 Yep she's adorable!

  This year the kitchen wasn't flooded with 10 different kinds of Christmas cookies and 5 different kinds of breads...

 But it was full of gingerbread women created by the beautiful ladies pictured above!  Each one uniquely hand designed for the big man himself!  

 We spent the evening relaxed and stress free, simple decorations and simple fun with memories to last a lifetime.

 This Christmas Eve the twins are a little more in tune to the whole Santa deal!  Let me tell you, they have been on their best behavior and as we came around the corner tonight we found Aspen and Brooke set up and bunked on the coffee table ready to sleep by the lights of the tree!

Anticipation and excitement filled the house tonight!  Each girl proud of the special cookie she had made and each girl convinced they couldn't sleep even if they tried...

 Before we knew it, silence filled the house.  A moment that John and I have found is perfect to sit and just listen.... to nothing! :)  4 amazing little girls, 4 girls who could and do talk 24/7, 4 girls that are amazing and smart, 4 girls that are just too much for words some days, 4 girls that bring absolute Joy into our lives... and 4 girls that I would't trade for the world!

Christmas Eve Service

 Every year at church the girls are in the play for the Christmas Eve service.  This year was no different than the rest...  They were spectacular!  And after all was said and done, they were able to visit with the big man himself!  Santa came to church that night and after watching all of the children performing their little hearts out, he patiently waited to hear the wishes of each and every one!

 Brooke hamming it up for the camera :)

 Hannah is such a beautiful singer and worked really hard to remember all of the words and motions this year!

Aspen and Brooke got separated and I think Aspen was a little distraught.  I'm not sure they actually expected to be on stage in front of SO many people either. :)  My little beauties.

Idaho Aquarium

 The Idaho Aquarium is a new attraction to the area so the girls and I decided to go check it out while John stayed at home with Taylor so she could take a nap!  Such a fun day!  So fun as a matter of fact, we bought ourselves a season pass (They were 50% off!) and will enjoy it the rest of the year too!

 90 % of the aquarium is hands on!  There are only a few attractions that you need to steer clear of, but the girls had a blast!  So neat!

Caroling in the Capitol Building

 Hannah's Daisy troop was invited, along with other Girl Scouts, to come and sing Christmas carols at the State Capitol Building!  This is the first time we've seen the inside since moving to Idaho, and it is ABSOLUTELY gorgeous!  What an honor it was for Hannah to sing there.  We were so proud as her beautiful voice echoed through the building.  There were many visitors who sat down to enjoy the singing and it truly was a beautiful thing!

 These are some of the girls from Hannah's Daisy Troop.  We are missing 2 or 3 girls.  You can see how tall Hannah is next to the girls who are all 6 or 7 as well lol!  Girl Scouts has been an extremely positive experience so far!  The girls and Mom's in Hannah's troop are all so great and it will be nice to have friends outside of her school too!

 It is in pictures like this one that I wonder where the time has gone!  Such beautiful little girls we have!  Blessed to be their parents and blessed to have them in our lives!