Christmas 2013

We were able to spend Christmas with both sides of our family and feel fortunate that we are surrounded by so many loved ones. My parents came to Dana's house so we spent Christmas Eve with them and did our favorite tradition together: a family picnic!

The cousins thought it was just great to eat on the floor. 

The meat, cheese, veggie, bread, and crackers platters are just delectable. The apples and caramel, eggnog, and sparkling cider make the sweet tooth happy, and you end up just stuffed to the gills!

Ty found Daxton's Hulk costume and got some good practice dressing up (more on that to come!).

Grandma brought her beautiful nativity costumes and dressed the kids up for a re-enactment. 

Joseph took his part very seriously.

Mary and Joseph, very equally yoked, yes?

The angel was pretty sweet! The shepherd and wise man were equally amazing.

Uncle Landon read the nativity story from Luke 2 and Matthew 27 while the kids attempted to act it out. That's what makes it so sweet anyway, the blooper and funny comments from the kids! Baby Jesus didn't like being wrapped in swaddling clothes and not able to scooch away.

He was much happier when it was time to open pajamas and he could rip the paper. 

The girls actually chose their pajamas with me a few months ago and could not wait to get their hands on them.

My cute little snowmen! They are so sweet, despite Ty's constant desire to sit on, stand on, or otherwise pester his baby brother.

It was so great for the cousins to celebrate together. We love living close to them!

When we got home it was straight to bed for these kiddos, after they put out cookies and carrots for Santa and the reindeer of course! The girls slept together and everyone went straight to sleep.

The layout of our house makes it kind of hard to keep Santa surprises a surprise until everyone is ready, so before we went to bed we hung a sheet over the arched opening of the front room. Here are the troops waiting for the big reveal!

 Jakee baby got a xylophone!

 Tyler got an awesome racetrack and an elephant pillow pet.

Maddie and Ella got glow heart pillows and stuffed animals (I know the snake is creepy but it's what she wanted!). Maddie also got her princess CD player which makes her feel like a big girl!

Santa knew Mommy needed a toaster, and Daddy got a wireless speaker to continue his entry into the new age (we recently got a wireless modem, Roku for the TV, and new phones. Whew.)

Stockings were a hit with socks, chapstick, lotion, and candy galore. 

Amid the hustle Maddie noticed the Baby Jesus came to his manger, which had been filled with hay over the month as the kids did nice things for others.

Then it was present time, as if we needed more! Each kids got something to read, play with, and wear from Mom and Dad.

Mike went all out to surprise me with a desire of my heart... re-decorating the front room and making a family ancestor wall. He can really get into the elfing thing when he gets on a roll! He even went so far as to go the fabric store (which he hates from bad childhood memories) and buy me padding for the window seat! Now that's love.

We both also got spoiled by various family members and feel so blessed by all the thoughtfulness!

Grandma Marcia gave us some hits... Maddie's rollerblades, Ella's kitty watch, and Tyler's dress up trunk!

He had to try every costume on of course. This will (and has already) provided many hours of entertainment! Poor kid really needed something besides fluff and flowers to choose from.

 The girls got in on it too. Don't think we'll need to buy Halloween costumes next year!

Whew, and that was the Christmas explosion at our house. Now I know why my dad always said we got too many gifts.

The rest of Christmas day was spent with family. Mike skyped with is Dad and Patti, Alison and family, and Sarah and family. They even played instruments together over the phone. 

We hosted the dinner at our house, and caught a little family photo before the festivities were under way.

We didn't have everybody, but it was nice to spend time with the Nelson's, Pickett's and Grandma Osmond.

We ended a wonderful night listening to Mike and Grandma's carols on trumpet and keyboard. I love the hymns of Christmas... they bring the true spirit back to mind and heart. We live a wonderful life and I am so grateful for Jesus Christ and his gospel, family, health, and home.