Christmas Time with the Mattix Family

Christmas time was a very joyful event. The children performed in a Primary Christmas play about the birth of the Savior, and after the play, we had a surprise visitor! Santa came to visit the kids of the ward.

                                           Skyler visiting Santa, telling him what he wanted for Christmas

Mikaela told Santa that she wanted a puppy at Daddy's and Momma Bo's for Christmas

 Carsten wasn't quite sure what to think of Santa, but at least he got a candy cane!

 We had the awesome experience of meeting Great Grandpa Mattix, whom Justin hasn't seen since he was 6. We got a 4 generation picture. I tried to get Skyler to smile, but, alas, I failed miserably.

 In this picture, back to front: K. Justin F Mattix, Keith A. Mattix, Skyler T. Mattix, Bill Mattix, and Carsten C. P. Bauer Mattix. It was an awesome reunion. 

 We also got the awesome experience to meet Great Grandma Madsen. Carsten especially enjoyed playing with her and showing her the Temple lights outside her house, and the toys that she had at her house. In this picture left to right: Skyler T. Mattix, Great Grandma Madsen, Mikaela R. Mattix and Carsten C. P. Bauer Mattix

 Justin and I also got a picture with her. 

 We went to the Mesa Temple to see the Temple lights and the Nativity that they had set up on the Temple grounds. It was beautiful. But Christmas time just isn't quite the same without the snow of Utah. 

 After we saw the Temple lights, we had the opportunity to spend some time with Justin's best friend and adopted brother, Brad Matteson and his sons. We all had a blast playing Angry Birds and RockBand. 

 Christmas time in Arizona: 65° and overcast. Only a hoodie was needed to play soccer at the park. 

 We didn't have a normal Christmas tree. Instead we did a Thankful Tree. Each person drew pictures of  things that they are thankful for.

 Then Daddy taped them up on the wall in the corner in the shape of a tree. At the top where a star would usually be, we put a blank piece of paper with a question mark on it. We told the kids that when they woke up the next morning, there would be something special at the top of the tree. 

 When the children woke up, there was a picture of Jesus at the top of the tree, so that the kids would remember that CHRISTmas is NOT about Santa of presents, but about Jesus.

 Carsten and Mikaela were so excited to see all the presents that were left for them. 

We had our Christmas a few days before the actual day, because Justin, Carsten and Mommy were going to Utah for Christmas with Bonnie's family. We had a wonderful time with the kids, watching the joy on their faces as they opened their presents and played with their new toys. We still have our Thankful Tree up, and will do another one this year.