Christmas 2018

Christmas was wonderful, as always.  My favorite part of it is probably Christmas Sunday.  If it were up to me Christmas Eve would always be on a Sunday.  It just feels like the right day to celebrate the Savior's birth before Santa gets in the way.  Plus, participating in the Christmas music at church always touches my heart more than anything else.  I'm proud to say the whole family was on time for the 8am rehearsal Sunday morning.  This is of no small significance and might need to be written on my gravestone.

This was taken after church.  Amazing how disheveled they can get after only one hour!

We invited the Elders over for Christmas Eve dinner which is always nice because my kids would rather me serve them corn dogs than a fancy meal so at least the Elders appreciate it.  Plus, my boys get to work on their table manners and how to have dinner conversation.  It's a win all around!  After dinner and dessert we raced over to our friend's home for some Christmas caroling.  I love caroling and this year we had carolers come to our house three different times.  It was awesome!

Randy sets a fine table

eating dinner with our crowns on

The Elders loved the Crackers --they come with a crown, a toy, and a paper with jokes and trivia questions

We had our traditional Christmas Eve family night that begins with talents (Marcus threw Bean up in the air in a cool acrobat type move that made my heart race, Landon and Parker both played the piano), then we read the Nativity as we put our Nativity set from Jerusalem together, and then we shared our testimonies.  It's a great night, the excitement is almost tangible, and the boys are unusually cooperative and reverent.  Randy and I are great parents and kept Henry occupied by turning on Elmo for him to watch so we could enjoy our FHE without a toddler.

After the gifting of the pajamas it was time for the boys to exchange their brothers gifts.  This was the first year I made the boys use their own money.  It was also the first year that they all gave gifts to all their brothers.  At first I was confused and explained that we drew names for Brothers Night, but they all just wanted to give and I was not about to stop that.  It was so cute and made my mom heart sing!

Landon was thrilled with the Lego set Parker bought him. 

Landon loves Christmas!  This was his note he left for Santa next to the Santa cookies.  Landon says he's Buddy the Elf 2.0

Christmas morning began about 7am when Henry woke up.  The boys lucked out this year because I took care of most of the Christmas shopping being thrifty and organized while Randy was working his tail off.  But I forgot Randy loves Christmas more than Buddy the Elf and so of course he had to do some shopping of his own which meant the boys got more than they anticipated.  Next year Randy gets to do it all while I try not to think about how much it's costing.

Waiting to see all the gifts.  Henry couldn't understand what was happening and why we wouldn't just let him watch Elmo

The mad opening of Santa gifts and dumping of stockings

Santa has a great attention for detail, just like a dentist ;)

yes, Marcus flexed for this quick picture which I promptly made fun of him for.  But both boys love their new ski goggles

Santa brought Landon an electric scooter

Santa brought Parker this HUGE Hot Wheels garage (because last year when Parker asked for it and didn't get it because it was too big).  Santa finally got it right this year which made everyone happy but Mom

Our new tradition of French Toast Creme Brulee.  So easy.  So delicious.

It wouldn't be Christmas without Lego building

Doesn't get cuter than this!

Playing on the Nintendo Switch which was not OK that Santa left under the tree

Landon proudly displaying his Lego set and new shoes that he thinks are expensive Nike's.  Don't tell him they are cheap knock-offs I bought on clearance. 

 We spent the morning playing with new toys, eating the most delicious breakfast of French Toast Creme Brulee, and enjoying all things Christmas, and then went to our friends house for Christmas brunch where they served us waffles with ice cream.  Only on Christmas!

We had a great day and are blessed more than we deserve to have a comfortable home, clothes on our back, and plenty of food to eat.  Randy's had a long-awaited record breaking month at his office, we are all in good health, and have so much to be thankful for.