Christmas 2009

So brace yourselves because this is a massively long post and it's going to be long. It happened a long time ago so if you don't want to read, I DON'T BLAME YOU!!! I have to do this though for my benefit, so I don't forget it. So this year, actually it was last year, we weren't going to go to Idaho Falls until after Christmas. A big part of it was that we knew that Emma was getting a dollhouse and there was NO WAY that we could fit it and all the rest of the gifts plus our luggage into the van. After realizing that we really did want to go early we called Santa and asked him if he would bring their big gifts a day or two early. He of course complied. So the kids got their big gifts early and we packed (more like shoved) everything else into our van and headed home. I am SO GLAD that we went early!! We were able to spend some fabulous time with my brothers and it was so nice to be home for the Holidays!!

GETTING SOME GIFTS EARLY: The night that Santa brought some gifts early Josh and I were in the living room helping get things ready. Some one knocked on our door but when we opened it all that was there was a box of gifts. Some sweet person wanted to make our Christmas better and left clothes and toys for the kids. It was so appreciated and I'm so grateful for examples like that who show my kids the way they should be. These are some photos of them opening their gifts early. We got to do so many fun things at Grandma and Grandpa's house because we went early!! One of them was we got to play in the snow. We haven't had much snow up here this winter so the kids had a blast playing in my parents backyard. Isaac LOVES the snow!!

Jaxson had a blast throwing the ball to Poacher. All I can say is that it's a good thing he had gloves on because that ball is NASTY!!I took Isaac inside earlier than the other kids and when I looked out the window I saw this. Josh is such a great daddy!! They had so much fun with him on the trampoline.
The power went out on Christmas eve day, but that didn't stop Uncle Mike from having fun. He pulled out his battery operated Ipod docking station and turned up the tunes. It was HILARIOUS watching him dance around with the kids!! Mike you are the greatest!! So are you Brian!! I am so glad I got to spend time and play games and just be with you guys!! I love you both tons!!

When the power came back on the kids helped Grandpa make the sugar cookies that they would decorate later that evening. Thanks for taking time to keep the traditions up with my kids Dad and Mom. I sure love you guys!!

CHRISTMAS EVE: Our family has a lot of traditions on Christmas eve. One of them is that we ALWAYS decorate sugar cookies. (I even had to make sure that I did on my mission) Everyone got into it and I'll tell you we had some pretty interesting cookies. What's sad is that the weirdest ones were done by the adults, not the kids.

Another tradition is that we always open a gift on Christmas Eve. Josh and I have changed it a little so that they always get some fun pajamas. A tradition that is really important to all of us is one that we have done ever since I can remember. There is a poem about the birth of Christ that is narrated by Burl Ives and comes with a book that you turn the pages as you listen to it. We couldn't find the book so we had to improvise but the spirit was there and that's all that mattered.

EGGNOG IS ALWAYS A MUST ON CHRISTMAS EVE!!

After one try, Isaac is now addicted to the stuff!!

It was so funny that on Christmas morning it was the adults waiting for the kids to wake up and not the other way around. I came up to find them all piled on the bed together. In the end Mike couldn't stand the anticipation and pounded on the floor to wake the kids up.

TIME TO OPEN GIFTS!!

I love that Isaac is finally at the age that he has fun ripping the paper off instead of looking at us and wondering what the heck we are doing. Emma was sooo excited about this. Needless to say it has taken a beating since it came out of the box.

Jaxson LOVES Thomas the train and was ecstatic to get a remote control Thomas.

PLAYTIME WITH GRANDPA HILL: After we opened gifts at my house on Christmas morning we headed over to Josh's parents house. Grandpa Hill wasted no time getting down on the floor to play. The kids love it when they can climb on Grandpa Hill's shoulder and have him flip them over into a pile of pillows. They have so much fun.

Isaac LOVES poacher!!! He thinks that he is the greatest thing in the world and tries to lay on him whenever he can. Poor Dog.

We had a great Christmas!! I realize every time that I am home that I have such a wonderful family!!