Christmas Crafts Galore and Mega Fun

I really researched Christmas this year and came up with lots of craft activities for us.  It has been so fun and we have been doing non-stop crafts and activities to squeeze the most fun out of Christmas possible.  Here are the highlights.

One of the neatest things we made were salt dough ornaments.  We used a really simple recipe that worked great and then we even cut holes and added beads in some to melt for extra bling.  Then after they baked low and slow for a while and cooled down, we painted and glittered them, they are bright and sparkly.  Everyone took turns painting and glittering, it was lots of fun.  They turned out really awesome and I hope we can do this again next year.

Next we made snow men.  Nanna made a big one and Sara made a little one.  We put them in Sara's room for decoration.

Brennan likes putting stickers on his head.

t

Next up, we made sparkly sequin ball and a ornament necklace.

Then when Brennan was otherwise occupied, we made stained glass ornaments.  Sara had fun putting the pieces in but Nanna had to help a lot.  They turned out really cute after we baked them.

Sara, Nanna, and I made 40 reindeer candy canes to give as gifts to everyone in Sara's class, the office staff and principal at her school, as well as neighbors and friends.  We also made a fun candy jar decoration for our neighborhood party that we hosted at our house.

Sara also had a fun Christmas song program at her school that Nanna and Brennan and I went to.
She was wearing turquoise sleeves on the front row.  She wasn't doing any of the arm movements because she said she was very nervous. 

Also, one night we had a fun party for all our neighbors at our house.  Dan got out his chocolate fountain, which was a big hit with all the kids that showed up.  Also, we played Christmas songs on the family chimes.  It was a huge hit, everyone had tons of fun, even the teenagers that were there.

We gave Sara a break from making ornaments by taking her to the Nut Cracker in Salt Lake.  It was fun for Mommy and Daddy too.  Nanna was nice enough to watch Brennan would probably never would have made it through the ballet.  Sara really enjoyed it, she commented and the beautiful costumes. 

Sara has talked about wanting to see what she has called the "Nut Soldiers" for a long time and this was her first ballet. 

This is a photo Nanna took of us before going to the ballet that day:

Of course there has been lots of playing going on too.

Daddy built the kids a nice snow ramp in the front yard that they have been sledding down and playing on. 

The kids have really enjoyed having Nanna here for Christmas and the face that Daddy has 2 weeks off of work.  Tonight is Christmas Eve, we plan on making reindeer food and putting it out, and then sending the kids to bed early.  They are so excited for Christmas tomorrow.  We wish everyone we know a very merry Christmas!