Here's a picture of Chase and Savy on Christmas Eve. Chase loved his Christmas sweater:
On Christmas Eve, mammy planned for each family to share a talent. Greg and I decided to sing Rudolph the red nose reindeer because Chase really likes it. I was so proud of Chase. He's a little shy so I thought Greg and I were going to be the only one's singing. But he actually sang it in front of everyone. He even wore his paper raindeer antlers. Way to go bud!!
We went to my mom's house afterwards. The Duarte side of our family stays up until midnight on Christmas eve, or even later. This year we stayed up too. We had a great time and ate delicious mexican food: enchiladas, chile rellenos, tamales, pozole, and the traditional christmas foods. The kids were so tired the next day. We had to wake Chase up to open his presents around 8:30 am. Chase couldn't keep his eye's open. But when he saw his Indiana Jones whip he sprung up, climbed out of Greg's arms, and ran to it. He actually looks awake in this picture:
On Christmas, we had a relaxing day with the kids sleeping almost the entire time. After they opened their presents, the kids went back to sleep. Chase slept from 11am until 7pm! I think that will be the last time we keep him up until midnight. We are going to ring in the New Year with New York this year!While the kids slept, I started reading the second book in the Twilight series, "New moon." It's as good as the first but sad. I am almost to the end and am now waiting for a happy ending. Here's our family shot! Everyone, have a happy New YEAR!
It was a lot of fun! Chase also helped. He was really excited about the whole thing and excited to be one of the wisemen. 
The cousins looked awesome in there costumes too. I am so happy to know that this year Chase learned the true meaning of Christmas, the birth of Jesus. He even learned everyones name--Joseph, Mary, etc. Thanks Mammy for thinking of such a fun way to teach this lesson to the kids. Your the BEST!
We decided to take the kids up to the mountains to play in the snow and have some fun. There was tons of snow and we had a lot of fun. 
I wasn't too excited about it because I really don't like the snow all that much, but for the first time ever, I had a really good experience playing in it.
Chase loved it, of course. Him and Greg built a couple of snow men. Chase decided to make snow angles. It cracked me up because he went straight to the ground and started moving his arms and legs like a pro. I was impressed because he's never made any before and knew exactly how to do it. I guess he learned it on TV.
What she was really interested in were the candy canes and I think she managed to get six (I didn't let her eat any). Chase was really happy to tell Santa that he wanted "an Indiana Jones Whip" for Christmas. 
Savy was happy to sit with her daddy though! 
The room was lit up so bright and beautifully. It was exciting when the front doors opened and a man said "all rise! " Then the three judges came in the court room. Everyone had a good time except for Savannah who wouldn't stop crying. Thankfully, Dad took her outside and let us watch the ceremony in peace. Thanks Grandpa! 
I was a little nervous for Greg because the judge talked to every single person who has getting sworn in. He asked everyone personal and legal questions. When it was Greg's turn to speak to him I was so proud of Greg because he did an awesome job. I was proud he was able to tell the judge he was going to be a JAG. I think Greg was one of the few who had a job lined up. It was a relief knowing that. Here's a picture of the judge giving Greg a bad time: 
Since we've been married, most of Greg's time has been spent at school. It's been a long journey to get to this day and it wasn't easy. I'm very proud of him.
This is the courthouse where the ceremony took place. 
We decorated it with mammy's Christmas ornaments that she has collected over the years. There are even some that Greg made when he was Chase's age. Greg had a good idea to get a small tree to put on top of a table so that Savy wouldn't be able to pick the ornaments off of the tree. 
Then mammy told the Nativity story. For dessert we ate birthday cake after singing Happy birthday to Jesus. Chase and Savy helped blow out the candles. Before Greg went to get the cake Chase said, " Jesus isn't here to blow them out"--it was cute. It was getting late for the kids and we didn't finished decorating the house. We're going to finish today. I am afraid this month is going to go fast. I hope it doesn't.
To finish the week off right, Greg burned all of the flashcards he had to memorize for the Bar. There were literally thousands and it made quite the flame! Here's the second batch:
There were different themes. One was "bugs life," another was "under the sea" with a play ship, two boats, a dolphin, and whale. 
Another area had hills with soft ground. There were also big blocks to climb.
On our way home, Trey caught the bug. It was so sad to see him sick. It's going around with everyone in our family on both sides. Savannah hasn't gotten it yet. I am hoping she won't.
Chase the Pirate:
Chase really looked forward to carving the pumpkins but when it came time to take the seeds out, he didn't seem to like the feeling at all. 
For the past 3 years, we have celebrated Halloween night with our ward on the Ellsworth's ranch. We kept with tradition this year and went. All of the Peterson side of our family was there. Chase had so much fun being with his cousins and playing fun games. Savannah cracked me up because if she wasn't looking for food she was looking for Candy. She won an award for her costume. After eating and playing games, the party ended with trunk-or-treating. The kids got tons of candy. I sure hope I don't eat too many of them. 
