Our Merry Christmas 2012

We had such a wonderful Christmas this year.  I had been feeling especially excited for this year's Christmas for months, the kids are at such fun ages, and I knew it would be such a ball for Jensen, and fun it was!  We did have a few setbacks - Ryan's truck breaking down the Saturday before Christmas, Madi coming down with croup, and our water heater going out on Christmas Eve!  But thankfully we had Jack the Plumber come to our rescue and spend his Christmas Eve installing a new water heater for us, so all was well!  Really, Merry Christmas to us, "hope you like the new water heater Babe, what gifts can we take back to the store?"  was how our conversation went.  But truly I was very thankful for Jack and his kindness!  And even though Madi had totally lost her voice and had a barking cough, she didn't feel too bad, so I decided if I had to have a sick child for Christmas it wasn't too bad.  Really it was kind of nice, she couldn't screech at Pierson for days.  :)  

Now, onto the pictures, here are some highlights...

I was so excited to do my Christmas baking this year!  Last year I didn't do as much since I was in the "year of the baby", but this year we were ready to rock n roll!  We made mint fudge, peanut butter fudge, creamy chocolate fudge, peppermint rice krispy treats, pretzel hugs, and Grandma Allen's Christmas tree cookies and her "chow cookies", which were favorites of mine growing up (Love remembering her with these!)  I had great helpers and we had a lot of fun baking up a storm and delivering goodies to our friend.  Of course our favorite part was eating them, yum!  

I love having Pierce actually help me in the kitchen!  He really loves working that cookie press! 

Of course Jensen was a great helper as well, he is the best beater licker around!  This kid has quickly figured out that the sound of the beaters going means something yummy and he comes running! 

Sunday best!  Our ward Christmas program was so fantastic this year!  We are blessed to have so many talented people in our ward!

I so love my house at Christmastime.  My mantel was really made for Christmas, it's just not complete the rest of the year!  All ready for Santa to come...

Christmas morning...

Ryan and I always make the kids wait on the stairs so we can be ready with the video camera when they come running around the corner anxious to see what Santa left for them!  I just love seeing their reactions!  Madi was so funny this year, she was a little worried she was going to get coal.  So she was very happy to see that she had not only not gotten coal, but the finally got the "kids camera" she has been wanting since last year! 

Jens trying out his new truck with some help from DaDa.  

Pierce was thrilled to get new Star Wars Lego set and a remote control helicopter!  

Jens didn't last too long on the truck, as soon as Pierce and Madi started dumping out stockings he quickly moved on....

this boy is all about the candy!  I think he was on his third  Reese's peanut butter cup before I even realized.   Daddy's boy for you.

After his 5th or 6th I took everyone's candy and put it out of reach, he was not too happy about that!  He put up quite a fuss until Big Brother got his helicopter going, then he was mesmerized...

Madi LOVES her new Kids Camera, and so does her new Singing Sock Monkey

Finally decided to give up the candy and give the toys a try.

Jens loved opening presents and was very excited to get some new books from Mom and Dad!  This boy loves his bedtime stories!

 

She may look wondering,  but Madi was very excited about her American Girl books from Mom and Dad.  My little book worm had most of them read before school started back up again.  

Jens loves his new pirate ship from Mom and Dad!
And I love this face!  Talk about melting me!  

We all loved having Grandma with us for Christmas this year!  Last year she had spent Christmas night with us and Pierce had requested that next year she stay with us on Christmas Eve so she could be here to see what Santa brought with us.  We were lucky to have her with us for Christmas Eve and Christmas morning.  We were glad Santa found her at our house too! 

We love you Grandma!  We are sick of Mom making us sit still for pictures, but we do love you!

We saved the opening of the kids' presents to each other for the afternoon, I love spreading it out a bit, Ryan get's annoyed with me, but I think it's nice and makes the excitement last so it's not over in 10 minutes of the morning.

 

Fun Games from Madi and Jens! 

Madi loves her LaLa Loopsy bus from Brother, and LOVES her Hello Kitty hat from Jens.  She was practically lived in this hat since Christmas.   She looks so cute in it.  

Pierce working hard on putting together the "Mine Shaft" marble set Mom and Dad gave him.  This kept him busy for a few days!

Sweet boy.

What a fun and special day we had!  I truly felt so blessed this year to enjoy my sweet children and the joy of Christmas with them.  I am so blessed to have such precious kids and to have the best husband on the planet.  We have so much to be thankful for and so many joys in our life.  I am so thankful for our Savior Jesus Christ, for the wonderful celebration of his birth, for his life and example for us!