Christmas Day

Christmas morning and the kids woke up around 8:30....not too early. They had already checked everything out before they woke us up and Sawyer came into our room yelling, "Santa came and ate the cookies!" with a wide eyed face. So adorable to watch his excitement this year.

I always make them walk down the stairs together as if they just woke up (: Growing up my parents always made us wait at the top of the stairs until they had the camera ready, etc. and we always had pictures of us all coming down stairs together, so now I make my kids do the same thing. (:
Looks like someone needed to get his super powers on to open presents!
All ready!
Alaina opened up some earrings and a necklace from her daddy.
Boy was he excited to open this Jersey.
Super Sawyer to the rescue!

Each of the kids got inflatable sleds. Let's hope this winter isn't too cold and we can use them a lot.
Sawyer got a pair of drum sticks that make noise when he drums.
Alaina's modeling clay and tools. This should keep her busy for awhile.
Jonnie was so excited to open his electric guitar. It's cool because you can plug it into a cd player or MP3 player and play along.
Now onto stockings-the chocolate truffles were the big hit!
Dex got some treats, too!
Another tradition growing up my mom always made doughdies (sp?) so I decided to make them for my family and maybe start a new tradition on x-mas morning. They are basically fried bread that you dip in heavy syrup. I love them and was happy when Jon loved them, too.
The kids on the other hand didn't love them, but they tried them and each ate about 1. Maybe it is an acquired taste and next year they will like them more.
The rest of the day was spent at home this year as it snowed all day and our Christmas was cancelled. I actually loved just having a quiet day at home with my family. The kids were able to relax and play with there new stuff, we watched their new movies, and played a fun game of Pictionary. The best part was playing outside with the kids in all the new snow and since it was only around 30 degrees we were out there for hours. Alaina and I made a cool snow fort which was the highlight of our day (:

Overall, it was a fabulous day. The only down part was my brother was visiting from Washington and was at my mothers, and I wasn't able to visit them that day as I was scared the roads would be bad. But I saw him the next day sledding which was a lot of fun!

Hope everyone else had a very merry day! Tomorrow, Christmas on my side (the Sunday after).

Christmas Eve

Whew! We made it through Christmas again. It is always a little tense right before, isn't it? There is always one last gift I need to run out and buy. One thing new this year is I tried to stick to a budget and I did pretty good. Another new occurrence is we had snow for three days straight and that messed up some traditions. The candle light service at the old country church was canceled due to snow and when we went to the other church service, we soon found out that it was canceled, as well. We always head over to my in-laws Christmas Eve and since they only live a mile away from us, I knew we would get there just fine (:

Here are the three oldest hanging out before we ate.
And here are the ladies chatting and preparing the Swedish meatballs, etc. in the kitchen.
The meal is eaten and the kids are going wild in anticipation for opening gifts!
Since they were all in one area, we attempted to get a photo of all seven. I thought it turned out pretty good. Even Daisy was posing for the camera.
"I need a little help here, people!!"
Cutie pie, Levi
Time to open gifts! The kids, Jon, and I received some great gifts-thanks again, everyone!


Katelyn is pretty in pink.
Here are my boys in matching PJ's-they loved matching this year.
Levi with Grandma....all partied out.
The boys playing with some of their toys.
Alaina and Kate and their new babies.
All the kids enjoying some dessert.
Clapping and happy about something....couldn't tell you about what, though.
After dessert, we headed home to get ready for Santa.

"It's about time you all got home."
We still read our three books....it definitely calms them down before going to bed.
Next, we have to get the cookies and milk ready. Santa was lucky because this year he received Haystacks (he enjoyed them very much). Jonnie wrote a note and it said something about how can he give a gift to every child.
All done and ready for Santa.
I let Sawyer sleep in Alaina's room for the first time. I thought it was going to be a mistake as he was so excited and just couldn't settle down. There was lots of giggling going on (:
Well, it was only a little over an hour and they were all out, snoring away.

Santa came and left a note for the kids. Hopefully you can read it....Santa was kicking himself when he realized he spelled alfalfa wrong. I laughed when the kids noticed right away-hahaha! Hopefully Rudolph is feeling better.He left a few presents......I think they were very good once again!
The stocking are filled and just waiting for three excited children to discover them!
Tomorrow, Christmas day!

Church Christmas Program and Lady of Leisure

Another year down and we pulled off another Christmas program. We always wonder if it will come together, but in the end it always turns out cute (if not perfect). I just love all the kids in Sunday School-they worked so hard!

Here's the bunch during a Christmas song....

Alaina performed a Cello solo to "Little Town of Bethlehem" and I couldn't of been more proud and a little choked up. She practiced for weeks and I think she did a fantastic job!
Heeeere's Jonnie (that never gets old, does it?). He was a shepherd and honestly these 4 boys did a fantastic job. They all had their lines memorized weeks ago and they all spoke so nice and loud. My favorite line of his was when he said "we should of offered them a cup o' tea...."

Alaina had some lines, as well. She had a lot to memorize and did a great job, too! I love that she picked out a fancy dress for her Christmas outfit-she looked beautiful!
She also closed the program with a prayer. Way to go you two! You make your mom and dad very proud!!
Last week, Sawyer and I attended my mom's retirement party. Strange that she is retired!! She looked beautiful. There's Sawyer hiding in the brush (:

She received an adorable quilt from one of the other nurses. It was so cute and the highlight of my mom's day. Congrats again, mom! Enjoy your life of leisure (:

WW- "Dad's Helper"