Christmas Day

Since Christmas morning was also Sunday, we knew we needed to get the job done early so we could also get ready for church. The kids obliged, of course! Ezra slept downstairs in the fort with Ash and Brans. Kaylee is getting a little big for that stuff...she chose to stay in her bed. (Wise choice, I'd say!) Dad received a text message from downstairs asking if they could come up yet. (Isn't that funny? We would have just yelled upstairs!) So, we grabbed the baby, the camera, and got crackin'. Darrell sheilded them from seeing anything as they were coming up the stairs...we wanted them to see everything all at once. Dad played "Santa" and passed out gifts and the kids had a great time! Branson had his bathrobe on, so Ezra had to find his too (which is really too small). Poor Brans...everything he does Ezra wants to do to. His little shadow!

The best present Santa brought was gift certificates to Build-a-Bear for each of them. They all went together...Ezra for the first time. What an experience! Ezra took it very seriously.

And as quickly as it began...it was over. Funny! So much build up and anticipation, and after an hour it's all over. It was great though. Can't wait until next Christmas!

Half Over Already

I can't believe January is already half over! I thought I should blog about Christmas before Valentine's Day arrives. Our Christmas came and went like a blur this year. I had a great desire to make this Christmas very meaningful...really warm and fuzzy. However, i felt like I was running a race, and didn't get to do half of the things I had planned. We had family, a tree and presents though, and I suppose that is better than nothing! During the month of December Jacob learned how to crawl and get around really well! Consequently, this is one of his favorite corners (the cereal corner) and I OFTEN have to sweep up after his messes.

We didn't get as many goody plates made and delivered as I wanted to, but Ezra helped with the few we were able to get done.

Ezra also had a preschool Christmas program, which we mostly got video of. (I have tons of cute videos that I will post when I have time to put them on YouTube). They sang Jingle Bells, Christmas Eve Is Here At Last, Glad to Meet you, Hurray Hurray It's Christmas Day, Reindeer Pokey, and We Wish You a Merry Christmas.

I had a family Christmas party again this year...I hope you make it an annual thing. The pics of the adults are less than flattering, since I never warn anyone I am taking a picture. So, here are the cute kiddos. We tried to carol, and had some success. One house shut the door in our faces. Hard one to explain to the kiddos. Guess those are the times we live in. Sad.

Christmas Eve we enjoyed a turkey dinner, building a fort to sleep in (thanks Daddy!), and opening our 1 gift and box of our favorite cereal. The kids were so excited to go to bed, we forgot to put out the cookies, reindeer food, elf food, and Santa key. I hurried and did it myself. We also forgot to read the Christmas story from the scriptures. Another "to do" on our list for next year.

I have to go to work...I will blog about Christmas day another time!