Christmas Breakfast, Santa and Decorations

We have been busy this last week planning and preparing for our Ward Christmas breakfast. It turned out well and we are glad it's over. :) We served pancakes, sausage, milk, juice and bananas. We had people bring hash browns, egg casserole or quiche, and then breakfast bread (like muffins, donuts, cinnamon rolls or pull-a-part bread). The Primary did a nativity, the Bishop gave a short message and then we had a visit from Santa. There was a good turn out and from what we heard people had fun.

We made the pancakes before people arrived (we got to the church at 7am, the activity was at 8:30), but the extra people I asked to come help cook didn't show up until 45-60 mins late (and one of them was bringing their kids to help watch my kids b/c at the Halloween activity Preston was clingy). I was stressing at that point because no one was showing up to help. It was just Kyle and I and 2 people from our activities committee. We actually got a good start on cooking and then our other helpers showed up so it all turned out, but man it's stressful doing all this stuff for the whole ward. Who would ever choose to cater for a living?! That is a lot of pressure. It's rewarding when people are coming and enjoying the food, but man it's crazy beforehand. Thank goodness we had the Cars movie playing in another room because that kept Preston occupied so we were able to focus on the preparation.

The Primary doing the nativity. Kate is one of the angels in the front.

Preston's priceless picture with Santa. We didn't think he would like him, but we had to try and get a picture.

Kate telling Santa she wants a Mulan Barbie and a telescope. (She really wants a telescope and so far no plans to get her one. This was added late on her list. Dollhouse was first.)

After we cleaned up from the activity, naps for Preston and me, a birthday party for Kate, we went and bought our Christmas tree (from Top Foods...they are cheap and good. We've tried the tree farms and going up to the forest and this is way easier. ha.). Kate has been telling me she wants to help decorate the tree for a while so finally last night she helped me put on the ornaments. It was fun to do it with her. Our tree was the leaning tower of Pisa so we had to do some tricky work with the stand to get it to look right. But it smells nice. Kyle put up lights outside, I wrapped garland and lights around our porch railings so now we are officially in the mood for Christmas.