Christmas 2017

Merry Christmas!  We had a fantastic Christmas holiday this year.  I LOVED that Christmas Eve was on Sunday.  It felt so perfect to spend time at church singing Christmas carols and listening to Christmas stories.  I wish it would fall on Sunday every year.

We had a couple of missionaries over for Christmas Eve dinner.  Randy set the table with all the nice tableware he's bought me over the years while I whipped up a delicious feast of ham, potatoes, salad, rolls, and cheesecake {of course}.  We ate pretty quick because the missionaries had places to be and we were supposed to meet up with friends to go caroling.  Why is everything in my life always a mad rush??  And during all this hustle and bustle it started to snow.  It was so perfect!

Randy bought the cutest crackers for our Christmas Eve dinner.  We love this tradition, plus it's fun to eat dinner wearing a crown!

Henry wasn't exactly dressed for the weather.  A plaid romper should be appropriate for any occasion though.  And check out Ethan and his snowball in the window.

Randy did a good job on our Christmas lights this year.  Such a good job that I'm going to have to call an electrician to fix the damage he did. 

Church clothes and snow boots should be a thing

 After we got back from caroling it was time for our special Christmas Eve Family Night.  Everyone performed a talent of some kind.  I recited the entire Living Christ from memory, Marcus recited a poem he wrote, Ethan and Landon threw a football, and Parker played Jingle Bells on the piano.  We shared our feelings about the Savior and then Randy gave out the matching Christmas pajamas and slippers he bought.  The boys love getting new pajamas and they've been lounging around in their pajamas for a couple days now.  Then the boys exchanged their brother gifts amid laughter and hugs and played with their new toys.  Landon made sure to set out a plate of homemade and very delicious gingerbread cookies and milk for Santa and then everyone was off to bed.

Hugs after presents

Marcus bought Parker this creepy mask

 White chocolate raspberry cheesecake dessert before bedtime.

All is calm while boys dream of sugar plums or whatever

 Christmas morning started at 7am.  There weren't any huge gifts this year but Ethan was very excited to get his own phone.  It's a "dumb" phone so all he can do is call/text but it's a perfect first-phone.  Landon was excited to get a kindle but was super thrilled to receive a giant Lego set.  He rolled around on the floor hugging it.  Love his enthusiasm.

Waiting to run downstairs to open presents

The carnage and destruction.  Santa brought kindles, a phone, and a Hotwheels track

The boys played with their gifts while we ate yummy breakfast rolls, listened to Christmas music, and watched the snow continue to fall outside.  It was a perfect Christmas morning.  And a Christmas miracle that we got five inches of snow without losing power.  That's a first!  We spent the day eating good food {well I couldn't eat much because I was on a liquid diet so I could have a colonoscopy the next day} playing games, playing in the snow, and relaxing for what felt like the first time in ages.  I even got to snuggle on the couch with Parker and watch/sleep through a Christmas movie.  It was pure bliss!

Henry looked on with concern and apprehension

Landon LOVED his football gloves

Lego building with a winter wonderland outside

Henry captivated by the falling snow.  I'm captivated by his cheeks.  and his eyes. 

Playing football in the snow made all of Landon's dreams come true

Crepes for breakfast/lunch, and a lot of bacon!

I hope your Christmas was wonderful too!