December 23rd is my nephew Daxton's birthday, and they invited us to see the reindeer at Thanksgiving Point. They are so cool! I have seen real ones before but I tend to picture them like the small, graceful deer we know... no they are burly and furry! My kids kept telling me to think of Sven, cuz he's a reindeer.
They even got to pet him up close!
Mike has been working tons of overtime but he was finally able to meet up with us and spend some time with the family.
Of course while we were there we had to get some ice cream. The decorations in the deli are always so amazing! This is what I dream of my tree looking like. Maddie loved the ribbon with Santa's nice list.
Pathetically, this is the best family picture we got in our Christmas Sunday best. We tried multiple different shots with different lighting, but nothing worked out. I love how Ty looks cross-eyed because of the flash on his eyes.
Christmas Eve day was relaxing and enjoyable. Mike worked a half day and then ran all sorts of errands. The boys caught a few moments of unexpected snuggle time on the couch.
The girls made cards for Grandma (and did lots of rollerblading in the basement, as you can see evidence of.)
When Ty woke up from his nap we made snickerdoodles for Santa.
I wore a mistletoe headband in hopes to get some kisses,
Our Christmas Eve dinner was held at the Nelson Ranch, where we had a yummy buffet including soups, veggie trays, apples and caramel, pineapple, meatballs, chips and cheese dip, and crackers and cheese.
Aunt Rachel demonstrated how to cut 6 pointed snowflakes and we had a heyday making our own.
Mike squished his way into the soft seats and enjoyed talking with Rebecca and Grandma.
Next was our Andrews Christmas Eve tradition of playing the chimes! We were all commenting this year that we are getting better and better, probably because the kids are getting older.
Then we read the Nativity in Luke 2 and acted it out with puppets. Ty was the star, and what a happy star he was!
Ella was a wiseman.
Maddie was a shepherd.
Jake was a wiseman too, when we could get him to hold still.
We ended the night singing Silent Night and then having a benediction, which was impromptu but felt so fitting to our little family devotional. It was a sweet and memorable night together.
When we got home we still had some family traditions to carry out before nestling the children all snug in their beds. We opened our Christmas pajamas, and humor me for taking picture of each one... they were so funny because everyone hugged them! We take pajamas seriously around here.
Also worth noting... Jake got ahold of the camera, which explains the terrible smears all over the lens.
Then we opened a new Christmas book called "The Spirit of Christmas" about giving, and drank our sparkling cider or eggnog, or both, in fancy goblets. In the same spirit, we continued a tradition I had growing up of writing down a gift to Christ, something we could work on during the coming year, and put them in a gold stocking for him.
In the spirit of giving, I decided to let the kids give their gifts to the sibling they chose. I thought it would be a good way to focus on the spirit of giving before the getting began the next day. It was a sweet sight to see the kids excited to give their gifts to each other, and many hugs ensued.
Not to mention each item was plush, so they were perfect to sleep with in their new pajamas. I wish I had taken a picture, but the older three kids slept together under the kid Christmas tree.
The next morning Jake joined them at the top of the stairs for a traditional wake-up picture! In true kid fashion they were up before dawn on Christmas morning (6:45 when they usually wake up about an hour later!), but we put up the baby gate at the top of the stairs to remind them to wait until everybody could come down to see what Santa had brought together. And.... they were off!
Ty got a fun wiggle car!
Jake got lots of things with wheels- a dump truck, a car transporter, and lots of cars!
Maddie's dreams came true with a goldfish, an easy bake oven, and an Elsa coronation dress.
Ella got a new bike! And a purple hermit crab!
Now we have two Elsa's in the house.
Santa gave the kids umbrellas in their stockings, and if that was all he had brought they would have been thrilled.
As it finally got light outside we got a good view of our White Christmas! Ty's wish came true and we got a beautiful blanket of snow.
I won't go through every gift (it always feels like there are too many presents!) but there are some I want to remember. Jake got more cars... he can never have too many.
Ty was really pumped about this large gift.
This kid seriously needed some tools. Most of the time he is carrying around my kitchen spatulas, wooden spoons, and other utensils because he has no tools or play weapons of his own. He has spent many happy moments counting his tools, learning the names of all of them, and "building" things.
Ella received a bucket of pearler beads... I've never seen a craft keep a child (or many children) busy for so long.
Maddie's wish for slippers was granted.
We also gave the kids books, It warms my heart that they love to read and were so happy to receive books of their own. Reading is one of our family's favorite things to do, together or alone snuggled up somewhere. (We literally get more than we can carry every month or so at the library. But it's a special thing to own a book and not have to return it!)
Aunt Rachel just got Maddie started on the Fablehaven series, and she was shocked to get her own set.
My favorite thing about the morning was stopping to enjoy gifts. I gave Mike a pair of nerf guns and they were a hit!
Who knew that umbrellas would make perfect shields from Dad and Ty's volley?
Maddie tried out her easy bake oven and made us some tiny chocolate chip cookies.
Hold on-- I need to amend my previous comment and say that my very favorite thing was Maddie and Ella delivering their gifts. They have been collecting gifts under their beds in gift bags and homemade wrapping for months. Jake's gift of earmuffs (on loan) and a girl shoe (because he loves shoes) was sweetest thing ever.
I received a thoughtful gift of butterfly wings, a princess crown, handmade loom band earrings, a Jesus sticker, and lots of cards. I couldn't have loved anything more.
Maddie wrote Daddy a hilarious book called "What If" and Ella drew him a picture of a cheetah.
Finally the kids got to open the huge present from Grandma and Grandpa Jensen. We got the surprise on video and it was awesome... they had never guessed!
An indoor trampoline! Already that thing is worth it's weight in gold. So good for getting out the wintertime wiggles!
Speaking of getting out, we had to try out the new snow.
We spent the afternoon playing with our new toys, and then going to Dana & Landon's house for an amazing Christmas dinner. I don't know why we didn't take any pictures there, but it was a feast full of love... Dana spent all day in the kitchen making ham, rolls, and real cheesecake for dessert. I did some sides and salad but the work was definitely lopsided.
We had a wonderful day full of laughter, love, and happy memories. We are so blessed to have a beautiful forever family, a comfortable home, and especially a loving Heavenly Father who gave the supernal gift of His Son Jesus Christ. Because of Him we have joy in this life and in the life to come, and we celebrate his birth with full hearts.
