New Year in St. George

Well this was the 2nd annual New Year's celebration with the Jensen's. It seems to be a tradition in the making, or maybe it's just when we can all meet up after the holidays die down a little.

Before I post all the cute pictures, I should admit this was a difficult trip for us. Before we left Maddie came down with a fever (again) and Tyler was going strong on a bad cold. We consulted the family and decided we'd rather all be together and deal with the germs than be missing people. It seems impossible to have a family get-together without someone being sick. That being said, it was sad to have Maddie out of it, and stressful to try to keep from spreading germs. It wasn't the most relaxing vacation, but it was worth it to spend time together. 
 

Maddie and Daddy sacked out on the couch.

Time for the cousin gift exchange! We have 8 crazy kids that can run around now, 1 baby, and another on the way!

Tyler and Ava discovering cars together.

Emrie gave Ella a belated birthday gift as well... a sparkly box of sparkly make-up, the stuff dreams are made of!

My girls were thrilled to get matching outfits for themselves and their new dolls.

Maddie thought it was fun to give baby Jaymison her gift. The oldest grandchild really loves the youngest grandbaby and had a hard time not being able to hold her much!

Surprisingly, it was pretty chilly even in sunny St. George, but Mike and Tyler spent some time outside exploring.
 

Mike also took the girls out to the jacuzzi while the Grandmas and Moms went to the new Les Mis movie! What a treat for all!

Apparently they were in the water so long that their feet looked like they were about 100 years old.

For New Year's Eve we used our usual tactics to allow the kids some fun, but get them to bed at a reasonable hour! They watched the ball drop on a You Tube video and then banged pots and pans in the back yard.

On New Year's morning we watched the Rose Parade and the kids made a parade of their own with guitar, drum, and ribbon dancers. I love how they came up with it all on their own! 

Maddie and Ella got to sleep in G&G's walk in closet, and it became the cousin cave for reading, Polly Pockets, and makeovers.

Of course the kids had to play Just Dance in the Wii, a favorite St. George passtime.

My favorite part of the trip was soaking in that scrumptious baby Jay. She is almost 4 months now and is the sweetest, smiliest, yummiest baby ever! I got her for a couple of wake times and loved to make her squeal and talk. It made me excited for the baby phase again.

We burned off a little steam outside one afternoon. It was nice to be able to play in the sunshine in January before we came back to our own frigid ice land.
 

The cherry on top was Grandpa's new Christmas gift to share with the grand kids! Since Maddie is oldest she got the first spin in the little red Mercedes. FUN!

Christmas Wrap-Up

It's a New Year, but I still have much to say about Christmas. It was hard to see it go this year!

We finally made it to Temple Square, and it was worth the crowds and cold.

My favorite part is the nativity on the reflection pool.

We saw Santa on the street, a convenient run-in since all three of my kids would probably cry to sit on his lap!
 

A highlight of the advent for the girls is the family swim at the Legacy Center.

We were also finally well enough to go to church as a family, for the first time in three weeks. That's not to say the good health stayed with us... no, we got fevers and colds again within a few days, just in time for Christmas. But the little respite in between was a tender mercy because Mike sang in the Christmas choir and the music and speakers were very uplifting and inspirational.

Christmas Eve festivities with Mike's family landed at our house. Mike conscripted the family into singing "What Child Is This" accompanied by him on the trumpet and Grandma on the keyboard.

Rebecca brought the chimes she and Lynn made years ago and we renewed the fun tradition.

After a yummy dinner of soups and appetizers, everyone went home to have their own traditions. We read the Christmas story in the scriptures first, and then gave into the begging and opened our Christmas pajamas.

I surprised the kids by allowing them to also open the gifts from each other (dollar store style). I was glad we did because they were much more appreciated before the big gifts the next day... there was even a little sister love!

We also opened our family Christmas book for the year (The Christmas Train by President Monson, fitting with our new train around the tree) and read it along with our Christmas Eve picnic of cheese & crackers, sparkling cider, and eggnog.
 

The little ones went to bed eagerly awaiting the magic Santa would bring! Tyler is so cute and loves to say Ho Ho Ho! Ella was confused when I told her Santa couldn't come until they were asleep, and then later that they should listen for the reindeer on the roof. I guess there is a discrepancy there!

Santa delivered! Ella and Maddie each got their much anticipated dream lites and various footwear. Tyler got a Cozy Coupe and loves cruising in his new car!

Stockings were really fun. The kids were almost as excited about crayons, bubble bath, underwear, and oranges as anything else.

As mentioned previously, the first gift to unwrap was the gender of our baby! Mike was genuinely surprised it's a boy! We are so happy and couldn't have planned it better ourselves.
 

Tyler was such a joy to have around this year. This was the first time he could grasp what presents are and he had a blast. He sat and climbed on boxes, and then soon figured out that tearing them open meant there was something fun inside.

He even seemed excited about new clothes. And this kid loves shoes, regardless of gender or type.

The girls had plenty of fun too. They got the gymnastics clothes they have been begging for, for somersaulting on the couch, and Maddie got the fuzzy outfit of her dreams.
 

Grandma and Grandpa gifts were a hit this year--they finished off Ty's car theme, gave Ella a light up pink scooter so she can be a big girl like Maddie, and turned Maddie into a rock star!
 

Speaking of themes, this was Mike's tool Christmas. He got a new drill and screwdriver set, and also a huge set of sockets and wrenches. He was a happy camper!

The gift I was most excited about giving my girls was saved for last. It was almost eclipsed by everything else, but I think it will outlive the others as favorites. They love being little mommies, and these dolls are just the thing for the stage they are in. I thought they were a little too young for American Girl so we went with Dollie & Me. Maddie though they were AG anyway, and I feel better about the smothering love they get when I paid a fraction of the price.

Ella has a new stroller and Maddie has a new car seat carrier to tote them around in, and later from a cousin the got matching outfits for them and their dolls, which they think is the coolest thing ever!
 

After the morning hullabaloo, we had Christmas dinner with Dana and Landon. It was scrumptious! Their neighbor brought crabs, and Dana made a honey ham, stuffing, and cheesy potatoes. All I had to do was the salad and pies--easy peesy lemon squeezy!

We spent the afternoon lounging with cousins, and then went home to face the wrapping paper explosion and play with our new toys.

As my family grows I realize more and more what my mom did to make Christmas magical at our house. She was amazing at pulling it all off without a hitch. I am still learning and was admittedly a little homesick, but it was a wonderful Christmas and I know we are incredibly blessed.