The Carlson Family: December 2014

I know this is a fuzzy picture, but I love her adorable smile!

LIVE NATIVITY SCENE

A little town by us does a fun little Live Nativity in December. I kept meaning to check it out for a couple years, and never got around to it. We finally went this year and I'm so glad. It was really cool!

They had live animals there including this camel. This picture doesn't do it justice, it was HUGE! What a gorgeous animal!

They had a little stable with a couple donkeys, sheep, and the people acting out the birth of Jesus.

They had a recording of the story and acted it out.

Look Carter found a horse!

Our friend Tia and her kiddos came with us.

Mason, Alyse, Hailey and Carter

No Room At The Inn

My favorite part of the evening was on the little hayride that they did. They pulled us in a dark empty field. Everyone started singing Christmas Carols, even Carter joined in! With it being dark and quiet, it was easy to think about and focus on the real meaning of Christmas.

HAILEY'S DANCE RECITAL

Hailey was a "cat" for her Christmas Dance Recital. Unfortunately Bryan or I couldn't make it to the dance recital. We had a friend pass away and her funeral was the same day. My brother Bryan and his girlfriend Janae came up. (Thanks Janae for getting Hailey ready!) They said she did a great job, but was a little hard to see. There were like 20 girls performing and she was way in the back :(
I can't wait to see her end of the year performance. She is always so fun to watch. She smiles through the whole thing and gives eye contact, a great performer!

AMILYA'S FIRST PLAYDATE

Mily had her first playdate with Madi! They are 10 days apart! They both took turns sleeping through most of it, but I enjoyed hanging out with Jessica the mama :)

AMILYA 3 MONTHS

The best gift under my tree ever!

Mily loved looking at the Christmas Tree with all the lights!

About 70% of the time, Amilya has her hands clasped together, especially when she is eating! I have to move them out of the way constantly!

We always tease that she is praying something like, " Dear God, do I have to live with this crazy family forever?"

THE PIANO GUYS

Carter has been wanting to go to The Piano Guys for a couple years now. These guys are who got him wanting to play cello in the first place so I really wanted to take him. My Mom and I took Carter and my nephew Nic. They had a blast! Piano Guys did not disappoint, it was a fun concert! While we were there, he REALLY wanted to go backstage and meet them. I explained to him that we would have to have backstage tickets, which we didn't. So he said "Next year for my birthday, all I want is to meet the Piano Guys!". K buddy, I will see what I can do! Carter and Nic talked nonstop all the way home. What a fun night!

CHRISTMAS EVE

We took some pictures in front of the Christmas Tree before heading to our Christmas Eve Service at church. Hailey of course wanted to be all dolled up. We found almost matching sparkly dresses for Hailey and Amilya, but let me tell you, never again will I buy glittery dresses! We still have sparkles all over EVERYTHING in the house! I made the mistake of washing them with one of Bryans shirts too, which he was thrilled about!

After church we came home to hot chili in the crockpot. Bryans Dad came up to spend the night and we opened Xmas Eve PJ'S!

CHRISTMAS DAY

All amped up to open some presents!

Carter got what he wanted...A HUGE Halo Set...

Hailey asked for a La La Loopsy Oven...

And an American Girl Doll...

Papa, Maggie, Amilya, and Dad

Grammy was in New Jersey with Russ and Emily's family this year, so we skyped Carter and Hailey opening their presents from her...

Hailey got a kit to write her own books...

Carter got his own camopak!

Bryan got a shaving kit from his mom, and a trimmer from me....see the hint here?

I think she's all tuckered out...

Dad taking Amilya for a ride on her Christmas present!

Can you find Carter??

The chair is from Grammy. It was supposed to be for his birthday, but Papa brought it up not realizing that, so he was extra spoiled for Christmas!

My Mom and Dad came up after breakfast to hang and have an early dinner with us...

Bryan and Carter worked on the Halo Set ALL DAY LONG! It ended up taking about two days to put together!

Grandma and Grandpa helping Hailey put her lego set together that Carter gave her...

Hailey got matching pj's for her American Girl Doll!

LARSEN FAMILY CHRISTMAS

We went over to my parents the day after Christmas...

I think Janae is feeling a little hostility because she didn't get an American Girl Doll...

Playing the Bells...

Our sweet Mily Bean...

Carter wanted to play a song with Nic on the piano, and Daxton on the flute. Daxton forgot his flute, so Nic and Carter played Silent Night together. They did a great job!