The Otte's

Merry Christmas, if you are looking for our Christmas Letter,

it is one publication down.

Feel free to check this one out too, as there are lots of fun events!

In fact check in on us all the time.

I think we have some great things to share!

 We got to meet Santa, we agreed this is the real Santa!  

Not one of the helper Santa's!

 Isaiah, Quinn and I watched the amazing athletes play wheelchair basketball, while Denali had dance class.  They are always fun to watch.

 To top it off a few of Isaiah's friends were there and got to hang out.

One fun thing we do at Christmas, we take our give money that we have saved up all year, (we have three banks, Live, Save, and Give) and buy gifts for someone who could use some.  We talk about how sharing and giving is the real meaning of Christmas.

We decided awhile back to give to a new foster family this year, and we ran across a beautiful family that currently has 4 kids, so we found books, stuffies, and gloves to give to all the kids.  Talking to my kids on the way home from giving the gifts and playing for a bit was so fun, having them see the excitement the kids had for the gifts, and to hear how much love they had in giving the gifts was beautiful!  Oh, that is what Christmas is all about!

 Some of the gifts, after being opened and the kids out playing!

 That was not all, the kids also had to find 5 things each, nice used things, that they can handle giving away, yet someone else would love.  They did great picking things out to share, so we got to share those as well.

Then we decided to make cookies!  Grinch cookies, pretzels and chocolate, sugar cookies, gingerbread cookies.  We have been busy, but the kids have had lots of fun!  I am so thankful for all the memories!

Finally, we have had fun with Angels, this year.

Some families have had elves, but we were lucky to get Angels, they have brought scripture, and jokes and a few gifts here and there.  They know a lot about the kids.  They have given them ideas on keeping their rooms clean.  They have talked about Gratitude, being grateful, being humble, and loving each other.  It's been a great experience.

We ended up having a little fun with an elf after all.