Let the festivities begin!

Christmas is in full swing at the Cutler house.  We tried to fit in as much as we could this weekend before the busy holiday travels.  It started with our ward Christmas party.  The Elder's Quorum was in charge this year and did a great job!  We enjoyed a catered ham dinner and a mini-Christmas program including song and Christmas story narration.  Santa came too!

Jaden was more excited about Santa this year than last, but still needs some time before he will voluntarily sit on his knee:)

The next day I had my piano students over for a mini-Christmas recital and theory class.  It was a lot of fun and they all did so well.

:a few theory games in action:

:complete with Christmas treats:

That night, we went with the Becks to the House of Spectacular Christmas TREES!!!  There is a guy that lives a few minutes from us who seriously decks out his house for the holidays.  In his 1400 square-foot home, he squeezes 68 full-size trees, plus a bunch of little ones, and a TON of other Christmas decor (including a HUGE and incredible Christmas village).  There wasn't a square inch of that house that wasn't decorated.  He told us there were over 43,000 lights turned on throughout the house to keep everything lit (they turn the heat off since the lights make the house so HOT).  They had their house specially designed with extra electrical outlets and a well-designed attic to store it all.  HOLY COW!!!  It was out of this world!  Way more than I had imagined.  Somehow, they are able to function day-to-day with their bed and shower still being accessible, but that's about it!  It was A.MAZ.ING. to say the least.

Then it was on to the Ugly Sweater Party!  Heather went all out in the planning and prep and Lacey was a perfect host:)  It was a BLAST!

Check out the sweaters!

Mikal took 1st place for the ugliest sweater and Rachael took 1st for most festive.  Leland was the runner-up in both categories. 

Then it was on to the gingerbread house-making competition.  Here is everyone hard at work. 

We worked right up until the buzzer and came up with this: a graham-cracker temple with a lovely bride and groom:)  We added a couple water fountains with our extra supplies.  Everyone's creations looked awesome!

We took a hot cocoa break while the votes were tallied for best-looking and most creative creations. 

And the winner is....

Scott & Jamie for most creative and Rikki & Dwayne for best looking!

 The sad runners up: Micheal & Heather for best looking and Cody & I for most creative:)

 The fun didn't stop there.  We ended the night with a white elephant gift exchange.  The gifts ranged from awesome to crazy to just plain weird.

In a group like this, we're bound to catch a few "moments" on camera.

 We stayed late into the night (good thing we have a fabulous babysitter), and had such a good time.

We finished off the weekend with a Sunday down in Seymour with Uncle Danny, Aunt Monique, and their boys.  Grandma and Grandpa 'C' were in town and it had been way too long since we'd seen them.  It was sooooo great to spend a day with them.

 Of course there was lots off food involved...

 ...and games.

 

:love 'em:

Last but not least, we were invited to a choir production, "Down From His Glory," by one of my piano students.  Her parents and grandparents are super involved in their church's music and are actually the ministers of music.  They are extremely talented and I was absolutely blown away!  Gorgeous music and a great way to share in the Christmas spirit.

Super blurry but this is us, Aly's parents, and Aly's grandparents (holding Aly).  

They are wonderful people and I'm so glad I get to associate with them each week.

and a little caroling for good measure:)

Well, Christmas is off to a great start and we're stoked for what lies ahead.
Happy Holidays everyone!