We braved the weather and impending snow storm to go to Ogden a few days before Christmas this year and we were so unbelievably grateful we made it down when we did. We had scheduled in advance a trip to the Christmas Box House in Ogden, a house where kids from abusive or questionable homes are temporarily placed until the courts are able to figure out if they will be going back to their parents or be placed in foster care. We thought with it being Christmas time, not only would it be a good time to teach our kids about service and compassion, but also maybe help some of those kids during a sad time. I talked to the girls beforehand and we made arrangements where they would do a few extra chores and save some money that we could take with us when we went to the store to pick out some presents for the kids. They gave us a list of all the kids ages and names and the whole family in Ogden got together and hit Walmart. It was so fun to see all the little kids really thinking about what those sweet kids would want instead of what they wanted. It was pretty crazy with all of us, but so much fun! We all pitched in on everything that we bought and ended up getting each one a blanket and a toy.
After we went shopping, we headed back to Grandpa Frank and Grandma Laurie's and ate together and wrapped all the presents so we could take them over.
When it was time to go we all packed up the cars and headed over. We planned some "Win-it-To-Minute" type games that we could play with the kids there and had a big basket of candy for the prizes. We weren't allowed to post pictures, but before we knew that we actually snapped one picture of the kids playing.
After we played the games and visited with the kids a little, we gave them their presents and I will NEVER forget how thrilled they all were with their little presents we had picked out for them. We ended up staying for quite awhile longer while the kids all played with their new toys and talked with them some more. There were five kids from one family there who were seriously SO SWEET and it absolutely broke my heart to think of them spending Christmas there. We wanted to adopt them... Afterwards, everyone agreed that this was the BEST thing we could have done. It was an AMAZING experience that I will never forget. I really hope it taught the girls a lesson in compassion towards others and also to be grateful for the blessings that we have.
Later that night, we went to the Peterson Family Christmas party and had a really good time. These four little girls were only a little happy to see each other and pose for the camera ;)
After dinner and a little program from all the families, a special visitor came and all the kids waited patiently as he read them a story and then each got a little treat from him and got to sit on his lap.
All my girls were SOOOOOO excited to get to see Santa again!
Everyone laughed as Emme RAN up to him when it was her turn (NO FEAR) and proceeded to tell him that she wanted a TRAIN for Christmas--WHAT?!!
After the party, Grandma, me and the girls headed down to Willard where they had a drive through Christmas light display so the girls could see all the fun decorations. They were ooh-ing and aah-ing the whole time. And then we headed back to Grandma and Grandpa's to open a "faux" Christmas Even gift...
PAJAMAS!!! Who would've guessed???
The next morning, we pretended it was Christmas Day and woke up early so the girls could open some presents from Grandma and Grandpa. Even with the CRAZY bedhead, the looked absolutely adorable as they opened their presents.
Later on, we got together with some of the rest of the family and lucky girls, had even more presents to open before we hit the road to make it back home before we had more snow...
We were packed to the brim with toys and presents, but it didn't seem to hinder the girls too much and they CRASHED! Poor girls all worn out from our fun trip to Ogden.
We had such a wonderful time and really got in the spirit of Christmas and remembered the real reason we celebrate it.
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