Game Night

One thing that we seem to do a lot is play games.  We love them.  Each person in our family really enjoys them.  Winning that is.

I kept loosing so I opted to make everyone a chocolate cake instead.

It was gooey and rich.  Just how we like it. Too bad it kept Mammy and I up the rest of the night! Ha!

Christmas Morning

Christmas morning was full of surprises, happy smiles, and hugs.

My favorite memory of Christmas happened on this morning when Nathan was giving Kendall his gift.  He flew over to him hyperventilating, "Open this one! Open this one!"

Kendall ripped open the paper and realized what it was.  A punching bag he has been wanting for months.

He wrapped his arms around Nathan and buried his head into his side thanking him.  They hugged for a long time and we all got emotional watching this sweet love between the both of them.

The gift was not expensive but Nathan searched for a long time because he knew Kendall really wanted it.  When he found it, he glowed.  He wrapped it carefully and tucked it under the tree.

We drew names this Christmas and Kendall did the same thing when he drew Mammy's name.  He was so excited for her to open his gift.

It was the first gift out from under the tree and he was beaming.  He seemed to know that it was just the perfect thing for her.

I watch them learn a big lesson this Christmas.  It truly is greater to give than receive.

Justin and I tried to give each other a few gifts but the ones that meant the most to us were the gifts form the heart.

Justin had written me a letter and had the boys write a letter. It was the last thing I opened that day and had brought up so many deep emotions.  I love that guy with all of my heart.

Mom and I had made Justin and Dad a blanket (it was a labor of love and barley got finished in time) and I had made a collage of pictures, memories from the past year, for Justin to take to work.  I was not expecting his reaction.  He was in tears.  It was so tender and a moment I will always associate with this Christmas.

We finished up the day playing games, talking to Elder Rucker on Skype, laughing at Buddy,  going on a Christmas walk, and of course eating goodies.

Can't wait until next year!!

This year Nathan got:

a sleeping bag

a glow-n-the dark football

a pop gun

a BRONCO jersey

the Janitors book

warm gloves

Clue game

Monsters University movie

silly bands

a Lego watch

a new bag from GG

money from Grandma and Grandpa

a soft tip dart board from Mammy and Papa

Kendall got:

a sleeping bag

a glow-n-the dark soccer ball

a pop gun

a BRONCO jersey

Face Paint

warm gloves

Trouble game

Turbo movie

silly bands

a Lego watch

a new bag from GG

money from Grandma and Grandpa

a hover ball from Mammy and Papa

Christmas Eve

The house was buzzing about with an intense energy.

 To be honest, I had none.  After being told several times to go back to bed I finally obliged and boy am I glad I did.  I was able to enjoy the night because of the rest I got.

We decorated the table and lounged around and waited for our guests to start arriving so that we could start the "Christmas Eve Festivities."

I'm so grateful that years ago my sister in law, Sara  let me steal some of her traditions that she does on Christmas eve because it makes it so special and fun!

Grandpa, Grandma, Todd, Martha, Buddy, and Joann arrived just before dinner.

Dinner was fit for royalty.  We ate like kings and queens.  Ham, scalloped potatoes, salad, a fruit platter, and rolls.

After dinner the boys opened their Christmas Eve jammies.  This is something I've done since I was born and I love that Mammy now does it for her grand kids.

We played a white elephant gift exchange game and got some amazing things thanks to Joann.

Then we headed downstairs for the spiritual part of the night.  Justin had all sorts of Christmas snippets to watch.  The Piano Guys- Emanuel, Amy Grant- Breath of Heaven, and one about the Wise Men that Uncle Sam had done the music for.  The music was beautiful and it led perfectly into the next part of the night....

Hot chocolate and doughnuts by candle light while Justin read the Christmas story out of the Bible.

I glanced around feeling so happy and grateful wishing the feeling could last forever.  I'm so grateful for the Savior.  I love being able to focus on Him so much this time of year.

Justin and his mom sang some cute duets together and we had more laughing right before it was time to go to bed.

The night was magical.

Christmas Eve Jammies

There is nothing better than comfy, matching jammies on Christmas Eve.  

They are perfect for pictures and I'm pretty sure you sleep better too.

The Christmas Orange

Justin's parents invited us to their house to have a Christmas celebration. Joel, Lisa, Cole, and Cara came also.

We ate dinner and then got comfy around the Christmas tree and watched , The Christmas Orange.

There was a soft glow and a peaceful feeling in the room.

A good memory was made.

A Ride in the Jimmy Express

We love to go around the town and look at the Christmas lights together as a family.

The boys boarded the Jimmy Express, got the checklist for the scavenger hunt, and then later got their tickets punched.

We entered a magical neighborhood and were working on some of the last items on our scavenger hunt list.  It was getting tricky and when we turned the corner we all gasped.

Huge, beautiful horses covered in bells were pulling wagons full of kids through the streets.

We pulled over to watch.  The lights twinkled and reflected off the silver bells.  There was puffs of smokey breath coming out of the horses mouths.  The hoofs clicked and clacked over the pavement.

 It was a once in a lifetime sight.

Ulgy Sweater

Nathan had an appointment at the Orthodontist and each time you go you receive wooden nickels.

The nickles add up and before you know it, you can cash them in to get prizes and gift cards.

Nathan takes this very seriously.

They said if you wore an ugly sweater during your December Appointment you could earn 5 extra nickles.

It didn't surprise me when Nathan took this to the next level.  He even wore two different shoes.

His orthodontist loved it and he left with some extra nickles!

Frizz Chippy Hillan

This is our fourth Christmas that we have had our elf.

He certainly has become a part of our family and the kids talk about him year round.

Frizz brings a new level of excitement to our house each morning when the kids are trying to find him.

Sometimes I can hear the boys from the other room telling him about their day or making requests like, "Go sit in the tree when you get back from the North Pole so you can be with us at our slumber party."

One morning the boys woke up with Rudolph noses and found Frizz holding the red marker.  Stinker!

"Dear Frizz Chippy Hillan,

If you have this letter you have found a gift you will love.  Yu are the best elf two boys could ever have.  I love you Frizz.  You are a great friend.

                                                                                                     Love,
                                                                                               Nathan Hillan

P.S. There is a word search on the back. (the back of the letter)"

Busted!

Mammy snapped a picture of Kendall and titled it, "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Clause."

It was too perfect!

Gingerbread House

Grandma Hillan invited our family over for dinner and then to make a gingerbread house.  The boys were so excited and went right to work.

Nathan go a little sidetracked because the Broncos were playing and he wanted to cheer them on with Dad and Grandpa.

That meant Grandma and I had to help Kendall finish up the house and eat some Hershey's Kisses.  We had no problem doing both.

The Party on the Polar Express

Our ward put on a darling Christmas party. 

The kids received invitations at church and were thrilled to be able to attend in their jammies.

It was decorated like a big train station at the North Pole with tons of white snowflakes hanging from the ceiling.

We ate a delicious breakfast casserole, ham and pineapple from Tucanos, fruit, sweet orange rolls, and sipped on pipping hot- hot chocolate with all the fixins.

They had a sing along, skit form the Polar Express, a movie of the Piano Guys Christmas special about the Savior, and then the children got in line with the conductor to go on the train to go see Santa and get their bell.

So much work was put into this night and our family really appreciated feeling the spirit and the experience we had at the North Pole!

Christmas Tree Sleepover

This has got to be one of our favorite December traditions that we have. Our family sleepover under the tree.

The boys look forward to it for weeks.

We stayed up late and played games, sipped on hot chocolate, and read a ton of books.

It was finally time to go to sleep.

Kendall went first all snuggled up by my ear and....snoring.

Five minutes later, Justin was out and...snoring.  LOUD snoring.

Then twenty minutes later Nathan, on my other side was out and... yep, SNORING!

For forty minutes I listened to my choir of frogs.

I quietly snuck out and tiptoed into my own bed and guess what?  PEACE and QUIET! That's what!

  I slept like a baby and returned to the frogs early the next morning.

The Boxcar Children

Nathan had to read, The Boxcar Children, The Mystery of the Runaway Ghost, and then make some kind of game out of it.

He came up with a board and cards that have events from the book and depending on which on you draw, you can move forward or backwards.  When you advance and land on a ghost, you can flip it up to see how the boxcar children solved the mystery.

He presented it to his class and came home grinning because his teacher cave him a 4!

Hillbilly

Justin and I keep laughing every time we see Kendall and his little "hole" in his mouth. 

Dinner is Served

We were downstairs and heard the boys call, "Come and eat!"

The table had a setting for all of us.  Raspberry toast, applesauce, an orange, an apple, and a glass of milk.

The boys' had a grin all the way across their face and kept mentioning how "healthy" their choices were.

It was the most delicious dinner I had ever had!

Giggles...

Nathan: "Hey mom, when are you going to get me some of that deodorant stuff?"
Me: "I'm not sure, why?"
Nathan: "Because I'm sick of going around smellin' like a jerk!"

I was in the car and overheard a little conversation of Kendall's the morning...
Barrett (Kendall's friend): "Our elf, Buddy came to our house last night!"
Kendall: "Oh really?! Well... we actually have a real Buddy in our family.  He's one and he's alive."

Nathan: "I remember in first and second grade I got chased by a bunch of girls and I really liked it!"

Kendall: "You're just too easy to hug...That's why I love you!"

Kendall: "I'm afraid I can't let my mom go to your house cuz she's allergic to cats and dogs!" (They had no animals, he just did not want to go)

Kendall: "Are we waterproof and airproof?"

Kendall: "Jesus's town is in the clouds.  That bright spot is Jesus or angels in the clouds."

Kendall: "Oh you smell good! It makes me want to eat you because you smell sooo good!  Giggle!"

Nathan: "Popcorn is not a treat...it's corn!"

Nathan: "I repent... a lot!"

Kendall: "Hey mom, is Kendall my forwards name and Hillan my backwards name?"

Kendall age 5-6  Nathan 7-8