The First Time In The History of Christmas...

What, you ask, could be a first on Christmas morning?

It was 6:30 am and I could hear someone scurrying around outside the door. When I went to see what was going on, I saw Papa grabbing Nathan and Kendall's legs, saying with as much excitement as a 5 year old, "Guys! Guys! It's Christmas!"

Papa was so excited, HE woke us up!!!

The best part of Christmas morning was watching the boys open their stockings. I learned a big lesson that morning. Kids don't need much to be happy.

The boys had no idea that Santa had left any other toys because they were covered up with sheets. After almost emptying that last bit of the stocking, I asked if that was it? Nathan yelled, "No, there are two more things in my stocking!" Boy were they surprised to see the rest of the unexpected stuff from Santa.

Nathan said with a huge toothless grin, "I didn't get anything I asked for!!!"

It was a fun morning complete with a french toast breakfast and another first: A CHRISTMAS WALK! The weather was amazing and no one even needed a jacket!

The Feastivities Leading Up!

\I have to say that before the actual day of Christmas... is my favorite! All the anticipation, the getting ready for, the planning to the last detail, and my very favorite- joining in the kids excitement. It's magical!

This year was extraordinarily fun. I say this every year, but as the kids get older I want to freeze time, bottle it up, and break out my Christmas bottle of 2010 in 15 years and do it all over!

We spent tons of our time playing games and since GG is the master Game Maker, it was just perfect! Crazy 8s, Candy Land, Slap Jack, Go Fish, Connect 4, Checkers and Dominoes to name a few. The boys ate and slept games, constantly planning their next strategies and moves.

GG even taught Justin and I how to play Cribbage! One more game to add to our guilty pleasures after we put the boys to bed! (Thanks Joann!)

One of my favorite traditions that has been passed down since I was a baby is, Christmas Eve Jammies with a bear!

In fact my mom has become so attached to Doug, Todd and my bears, that I seriously doubt we will ever get them back! Each bear represents a year of Christmas and the memories of that year wrapped up into each one. No wonder, I will probably do the same thing!

Justin took the boys on Christmas Eve morning to Chick-fil-A with his parents and I was left at Mammy's house to help prepare Christmas Eve dinner.

After snitching some goodies and one last call to the North Pole to make sure all the last minute preparations were ready, it was time to eat.

Dinner was excellente and everyone's company was even better! GG, Aunt Cindi, Uncle Todd, and Aunt Martha, Mammy, Papa, Joann, Jackson, and our little family of four.

The boys got into thier Jammies, the candles were lit, the magic reindeer food was sprinkled all over the lawn, Santa's cookie plate was assembled, the Nativity story was watched, and finally the boys were tiered enough to lay in bed with the weight of the blankets holding them down and their ears keenly listening for reindeer footsteps on the roof and the sound of Santa's jingle bells coming from outside.

In the morning, it would be CHRISTMAS!

OH NOOOO!

We had a Gingerbread house decorating night. One house was pre-assembled and the other we had to assemble our self.

After trying for what seemed like hours to get the "un- assembled" gingerbread house to stay together... it unfortunately had other plans. We got sore stomachs from laughing so hard at GG for all her efforts to get the seams just perfect. We had to constantly remind her that she was not putting together a prize winning quilt and tried to suppress many giggles.

After a while no one could hold it in any longer and the rest of the night if anyone even looked at the houses, we were out of control!

Treasures From GG...

I know I've said this before, but My Gramma has a way of making Christmastime extra special!

This year the boys received a package in the mail. Inside was a beautiful Advent calendar that she quilted.

It is the manger scene and I have loved focusing on the Savior's birth amongst all the the "fun" hoopla that comes with this season.

Every time we look at it, it reminds us what is really important. The boys are super excited to put baby Jesus up on Christmas eve!

Meet Frizz

He is the Elf that joined our family this year.

The boys have been trying to be extra good so that each night when Frizz (they named him) goes back to report to Santa-with Christmas magic, of course, they will be sure to be on the nice list- although a few times they were on the naughty one.

Kendall's 1st Surgery....

Kendall's tonsils were a stage 4 (touching each other) making it pretty tough to breath anytime he would sleep.

After being on a waiting list and switching insurances, 6 months later, we finally were able to have them out.

That was pretty tough to watch and nothing can quite prepare you to see your child in pain.

The first night, Justin and I took shifts and held Kendall the entire night. Poor thing woke up every 10-15 minutes in excruciating pain, throwing up, and completely miserable .

After popsicles, drinking water from a syringe, plenty of rest, care packages, visits from the grandparents, Aunt Cindi, Aunt Lisa, Cole and Cara, I think Kendall turned a corner. However, when you are going through the process, it seems endless and you feel helpless.

Yes Virginia, There Is A Santa Clause....

Nathan has been dreaming of riding on the school bus. In the beginning of December, his dream came true!

I was picked to be one of the moms that got to go with the kids to their first field trip of the year. A play at Heritage Square, Yes Virginia, There is a Santa Clause. I was so excited because this meant that I was going to be able to document Nathan's first bus ride!

He settled in his seat with his best friend, Joey and I sat a few seats in front of him with his teacher, Mrs. Lawrence. I kept glancing back at him and loved how every time I saw him he had a huge grin on his face- even when he was looking out the window.

His whole class got to wear their reindeer shirts they made the week earlier and I was able to talk Mrs. Lawrence into a quick class picture!

The play was hilarious and the kids enjoyed every part down to their yummy sack lunch and drink!

A Night In Bethlehem!

Our ward put on a very memorable Christmas party this year. We got to travel to Bethlehem and not even leave the state of Colorado.

There were tons of booths set up in the village and we stayed together as a family earning tokens to purchase food.

We milked the goat, herded sheep, planted and harvested a garden, made pottery, worked in a carpenters shop cutting dowels and hammering them into wood, weaved with paper, got water from the well, made Christmas ornaments, ate figs, raisins, nuts, fruit and bagel sandwiches.

Nathan keeps asking me, "When do we get to back to Bethlehem?"

Triming The Tree...

This year we let the boys have full rein of the Christmas tree. Anything goes! So, when I went to look at the finished product, all the candy canes were lined neatly up in a row, eye level, ready to grab a fast, sneaky treat.

A Christmas Masterpiece!

These three have been busy perfecting their first gingerbread train! Covered in green goo and a mouthful of gumballs they are ready for the sugar plum fairy!

Sweet little bear! Baby Cara is curbing our appetites for another baby. The boys can't get enough of her! She is yummy!

Bear Cubs!

These boys are like a rolling, meshed up pile of cubs wrestling everywhere I look. Boom, boom, boom! They are born with some strong instincts, just like a puppy loving to rough house.

It sounds like a volcano upon eruption and then one of them gets hurt and the volcano is spewing molten lava.

I get them calmed down and BAM! They're off again. The crazy part? It's only going to get worse!

A Thankful Thanksgiving...

This year was anything other than ordinary. Justin's three brothers came into town with their families making for a fun reunion!

Our favorite part of the week... the COUSINS!!! 10 of them ages ranging from 16 years old to 11 months. I adore these kids! And I'm not just saying this because I'm the Aunt. I seriously love them and when each one leaves to return home, I always get a twinge of sadness and long for the next time we can get together.

The week was filled to the brim. Yummy nightly dinners, Tangled, goodie bags, Oink-Piggy-Oink and other fun games, Modern Family, Early Bird die hard shopping, candy turkeys, singing, dancing, relaxing, fondue, Fun City, Pinkberry, Renata's personal training service, going to the Nutcracker, cheesecake factory, puzzles, pictures, field trip to the temple, Ci's-Ci's Pizza, park with flying kites and football, gift exchange, naps, laughter, and watching the kids interact with each other....priceless.

Farmer Bob and his turkey showed up. These two goofballs really showed their thanksgiving spirit! Gobble, Gobble!

All I Want For Christmas....

Is my two BOTTOM teeth!

"Mom, I lost my teeth on Halloween and SUNDAY!"

He is my Mr. personality! We were cracking up while taking these pictures. He is always up for ANYTHING fun!

Gettin' Ready!

The highlight of the day? Helping papa hang lights on his house and taking a turn climbing on the roof!

Highlight of the night? Opening a Christmas story every night, reading it, talking about the real meaning of Christmas- then that leading into our discussion of Santa before bed!

Sunday Goodness!

Our Sunday walks have become one of my most prized possessions. I love watching the boys explore, grabbing sticks while dragging them, and running off a bit ahead so that Justin and I can talk while holding hands, wink- wink:).


This is a total "Nathan face".

During his first week of school he was standing in line next to a girl in his class. I was walking away and turned around in time to see him making this face when he realized that he had the same backpack as the GIRL! "Huh, We have the same backpack?!"

He looked at me, I shrugged my shoulders and we both started laughing!

This is our go-to trail. Lots to see. Twists and turns that eventually open up to breathtaking views.