Joe MOMA!

Yesterday I escaped for a girl's day at the Museum of Modern Art in Manhattan.

 We saw some pretty rad stuff.  Who knew Water Lilies was the size of my house??

 We also saw some junk that required a little assistance to truly be considered art.  Don't you want to be friends with these chicks?

I left feeling exhausted and enriched.  Not a bad way to spend a day.

Happy Christmas!!

 We had a joyous, quiet Christmas morning (minus a few squeals of happy delight).

 Santa broke the small Christmas rule and spoiled me.  Big time.  I have determined that's a fairly legitimate rule to break on my behalf.

 After reveling in Santa and scattering gift wrap, we rushed off for church.  Where Prince Charming even sang in the choir.  What a heavenly little boy.

 After an afternoon of enjoying our shiny new excitements and skyping our old shiny family, it was time for dinner.

 Which we happily shared with the Elders.

  Allen will dare say the best Christmas yet. 

 We are getting pretty perfect at making Christmas just as we like it.

And even more perfect at removing all signs of Christmas as quickly as possible.  

It feels sooooo good to see my house sparse again.

On the Twelfth Day of Christmas...

....we had a few friends over to reenact The Nativity (just missing our sweet little sheep.  And star.  Which was me.  Because Tess refused to wear it.  Brat.).  It was perfectly quick, chaotic and cute.  After we filled our bellies with treats, put on our new cozy jammies, and sent the kids off to bed so visions of sugarplums could begin dancing in their heads.

A perfect little Christmas eve filled with the message of Christ shared with friends that are like family.

On the Eleventh Day of Christmas...

...daddy stayed home from work and got to go to Ryder's school Sing-a-Long.

Then that evening, we had a sing-a-long of our very own.

Included was a most raucous rendition of the 12 Days of Christmas

as well as a rump-shaking version of Feliz Navidad

All accompanied by the ever-talented man of the house.

 If only you could have been a fly on the wall at our house that night...

On the Tenth Day of Christmas...

...we had a family game night.  With a new game.  That I hope to never play again.  I am such a good sport.

On the Ninth Day of Christmas...

...we dished up and delivered goodies to friends and neighbors!!

(Hopefully nobody dies; I had A LOT of little hand help this year)

On the Eighth Day of Christmas...

 ...we went to Linley's Kindergarten Sing-Along

and stayed up late cuddling and watching Christmas movies.

 PS: That is Ryder's concentration face.  He is not emulating Scrooge McDuck.  His father on the other hand...

On The Seventh Day of Christmas...

 ...we went to a wassail party hosted by a family in the ward.  And by we, I mean Allen, Ryder and Linley.

Tess and I stayed at home and slept/gorged on baked goods.

Good times.

On the Sixth Day of Christmas...

...we sought out hidden sights in a new Christmas I Spy book.  Minutes of quiet, happy fun. 

 We take what we can get around here.

On the Fifth Day of Christmas...

...we did service.  Some planned, some unexpected.  The unexpected is the best kind because it leaves less time for complaining.  Sweet Ryder and Linley spent their day busily helping others , and did it with a smile.  I went to bed proud of my little lovies.  And Allen.  He is a pretty selfless kid himself. I am starting to fall back in love with Christmas.  And that deserves a Handel Hallelujah!!

On the Fourth Day of Christmas...

...we boarded the train to New York City

 to board the train to Macy's Magical Santa Land

 Where we were joined by daddy

 It was a dreamland train

 Full of every child's desires

 Then we sat on Santa's lap and told him our Christmas wishes.

 And this was no ordinary Santa.  He spent no less than 10 minutes talking with the kids.  Telling them the true meaning of Christmas.  Sharing his love of giving.  Tess hugged the man and didn't want to let go.  He was that good.

 Next, we sat with mouths agape at the beauty that was the Macy's window displays.

 A quick shot of Times Square

 Followed by photo ops at every decorated destination on the way to the final stop...

 ...The Big Tree.  All lit up and glowing Christmastime.

It was a happy holiday night.  

The kind that only The Concrete Jungle can provide.