Christmas Eve Eve

We didn't do too much on Christmas Eve, just lolled around all day and then tried to hold Annalee's attention while we read from Luke 2. But the day before Nathan got off work early, so that's when our celebrating began.

Poor Annalee has been desperate for me to play with her in the snow, but since I only have 2 pairs of pants that fit, and neither is snow friendly . . . and since I can't really bend over or get on my knees for long . . . well, she has been pretty disappointed. Tavi is just not so fun because he won't cooperate with what she wants him to do. So Daddy told her that when he got home from work on Thursday they would go build snowmen.

My two snow goons. I am seriously reminded of Calvin and Hobbes. Yes, those are vacuum belt mouths and Dr. Pepper arms. I don't know what the eyes are made out of, but the noses are spare bulbs for the car.

Nathan's snowman lasted about 3 minutes before Annalee knocked it over. (Strange how she didn't touch her own . . .)

A few weeks ago Nathan and I went to the temple. When we got back, Annalee asked where we had been. I said, "Daddy and Mommy went to the temple, and when you're bigger you can go too." (I'm thinking, 12.) Well, Thursday at lunch Annalee scarfed down her PB&J, then called out "Mommy, I ate my whole sandwich. I'm bigger now! Can I go to the temple?" I was shocked silent for a moment--that conversation had been weeks ago! But then I smiled and said, "Yes, you can go to the temple."

So that night we all went to the Idaho Falls Temple Visitor's Center.

We looked at the Nativity on the temple grounds, and the lights in the trees on the street. Then we went inside.

Annalee was a little intimidated by the large statue of Jesus. She wanted to look at it, but not go near it. Eventually she decided it would be okay to sit by it.

After that, we walked around looking at the exhibits. We were a little disappointed that the one that plays little videos of the prophet and apostles wasn't working, because Annalee is always so excited to point out the prophet. But she really liked working the other touch screens herself. We ended up sitting on some soft couches, relaxing while Annalee touched the screen and played different presentations. At one point she saw one about the Angel Moroni (it had a picture of his golden statue) and she said "I want to watch 3PO." As in, C3PO. As in, Star Wars. Yes, Nathan and I had a good laugh over that one.

Starving, we headed over to Famous Dave's for some BBQ. Nathan had been telling me how awesome their food was, especially the ribs, which were supposed to be better than Texas Roadhouse. We ordered a giant family platter that came served in a garbage can lid.

Unfortunately, the food didn't hold up to it's reputation for me. I was so disappointed in the ribs I only ate a few bites. They were tough, really tough to get off the bone. Even Nathan was forced to admit that the ribs were good, but too much work to eat. Texas Roadhouse is still the place. I did, however, thoroughly enjoy the cornbread muffins, which were almost like cake.

After dinner we decided to drive around looking at Christmas lights. This turned out to be more fun for Nathan and I than Annalee as we relived our childhoods. Annalee just blew raspberries in the back and asked if we could go home. Ah, children.