Christmas Festivities

This week has been full of Christmas-y stuff! It's really getting me in the Christmas spirit and I'm starting to think Las Vegas isn't that horrible of a holiday place after all.

On Saturday Scott had his work party for the kids. The company provided TWO Santa's for the kiddies, along with lunch, cupcakes, a movie and a little game. Tayden was pumped to see Santa and sit on his lap. However, when it was showtime, he was a little hesitant. Beckett on the other hand went right to him and sat with him for a few minutes. The company usually takes pictures, so we didn't worry about taking our camera. But wouldn't you know it, this year they didn't take pictures. We snuck in a quick picture from Scotts phone and called it good. 

After the work party, we headed off to our ward party. Tayden was so excited to see all his friends, as were his mom and dad. The evening was filled with great conversation, delicious food and zero pictures. But, one cute story. As the primary kids were getting on stage to sing their songs, I noticed a particular little blonde boy in a striped blue shirt sneaking his way up on stage too. I tried to grab him in time, but the Primary leaders assured me he was fine. So I let him go. Seeing him up there with all the big kids stung my heart a bit. He'll be 3 next month and up on that stage, legitimately, very soon. It was fun seeing him up there smiling and waving and trying to sing the songs with the big kids. Childhood just goes too quickly.

We left the Christmas party and headed down the road to a live nativity the Church puts on every year. It was fantastic. The weather was a little chilly and Beckett got a little restless, but it was worth it. It was an amazing way to remember the true meaning of Christmas. It filled my soul with love and appreciation for the Savior. We weren't allowed to take any flash photography, so I stole a few pictures from the local newspaper.

This evening we headed out with some good friends, Adam and Melissa Turney, for more Christmas fun. We stopped at the Bellagio first to see the Christmas Gardens. They were AMAZING! Everything is made from organic things such as flowers or twigs. It is inspiring what people can do with nature. The pictures without people are pictures I took from the internet. My pictures simply did not do it justice.

 This is Taydens friend Hannah. He loves her!

After a quick stop at McDonalds we finished the night up at Ethels Chocolate Factory. They have a cactus patch that they decorate with Christmas lights. It was spectacular. And sticking with the theme, here are more pictures stolen from the internet.

It was a great weekend/evening. It reminded me Christmas really is just around the corner...sometimes you just have look a little!