December Fun! (and the dentist)

Since I haven't been very good at posting things as soon as they happen, we'll play a bit of catch-up and just lump most of December into one post. The first weekend in December, I decided to take the kids down to the Festival of Trees in Sandy.  We'd never been before, but were looking for something fun to do that day.  The gingerbread houses and trees and other decor were amazing!  People can be so creative and must have a whole lot more patience than I do to accomplish some of these really detailed displays that we saw.  

Jonah's cheesiest "cheese!" face

Around the middle of the month, we decided to take the kids to Temple Square in Salt Lake City to see the Christmas lights.  We went on a Monday right when it got dark and were able to avoid the big crowds.  As we were leaving, masses of people seemed to be descending on the square simultaneously.  So glad we went early.  
The kids always love looking at the lights and seeing the Nativity, but their favorite part is always the fountains.  Even though it's freezing outside, the fountains on Temple Square are still running and the kids love to look at them and throw in pennies.   

We ask her to smile for the camera and this is what we get.  =)

Lilly's new favorite pose

Jonah showing us how tough he can be. 

  Another highlight of our month was the semi-annual trip to the dentist for the kids.  Luckily, my kids love going to the dentist.  Even Jonah, who had to endure a painful episode of having two teeth removed with one being literally dug out a few years ago still likes the to go to the dentist.  They love the toys, the sunglasses, and getting new toothbrushes.  Our dentist and his staff are wonderful!  They know how to make kids comfortable and are so very patient with them.  We came out with a clean bill of dental health with no cavities all the way around!  

Lilly got her first set of x-rays done and was so brave!

Jonah and Jayne playing with Dad's tablet while they wait for their turn.

Jayne loves sitting in the chair. 

The week before Christmas, we got to go watch Jonah and Lilly sing some Christmas songs with their classes at the elementary school.  Nate's parents and sister were in town too so they came with us.  Jonah and Lilly both did such a good job and knew the words to all of their songs.  Jonah takes his performances very seriously and had to be reminded to smile and relax while Lilly was all smiles and waves and even a little bit of dancing.  Nate got it on video on his tablet, but we haven't put it on the computer yet.  So you'll all just have to picture a stage full of kindergarteners or second graders belting out tunes such as "I'm getting Nuttin' for Christmas", "Donde esta Santa Claus?",  "It's a Marshmallow World in the Winter", and
"Holly Jolly Christmas" while smiling and waving at parents and teachers and yelling out the words that they know really really well.  


And that was our December, aside from the Christmas festivities which I'll cover in my next post.