It's beginning to feel like Christmas...

Yesterday was the official day when I felt it was OK to break out our Christmas decor and start even more new holiday traditions.

Andrew & I started off the morning by making a Christmas coloring wall in our family room (perfect for the kids to draw on during the BYU vs Utah football game).

Andrew loves for me to come color with him... and I love it too, so this little project was a lot of fun. I did very terrible quick drawings, but he was sooo excited about everything I added- especially baby Jesus.

Yesterday afternoon the whole family plus some friends got together to watch the BYU game and eat leftovers.

After most of the Smiths/Caffees headed back to Utah, we piled in our car with the Warners and headed down to The Magic of Christmas at Temple Hill in Oakland.

First we watched a little bit of the program in the auditorium... for as long as the little guys could handle it

and then we ran around in the frigid cold outside and waited for the Oakland Temple Christmas lights to come on.

The kids were amazed when all the bushes and trees were suddenly covered with lights.

We snapped some quick family photos and then bribed the kids to get into the car with promises of hot cocoa. Andrew kept saying, "hot chocolate.... and ice cream" and we told him he was crazy!

Warner family

Buskirk family

We wound up in Montclair Village (close to the temple) and found a place to grab some quick treats and hot cocoa before we were brutally shipped out into the cold because the store was closing. :(

Andrew loved the chocolate covered gingerbread men

We walked back to the car with warm stomachs from the hot cocoa (not the best hot cocoa, but it served its purpose).

These two were adorable as they walked together holding hands.

We squished back in the car (notice that Chris could actually fit in between the car seats... just barely... because my large pregnant hips couldn't do it)... and headed home listening to Christmas music and checking out the neighborhood lights on our way.

Another great new Christmas tradition! This was our first year going to the Temple Hill lighting and I definitely think we will need to do it again! The colorful lights and beautiful music were a great way to start off the Christmas season!