Christmas was such a fun one this year! (Last year I should say since I'm writing this so delayed!) I had been really excited for the Holiday season this year, at the end of summer I was just feeling excitement and anticipation for the Christmas Season, I was ready to skip Halloween and bring on Christmas! Which was weird because I really love Halloween, but I have just been so enjoying Jensen's toddler stage and I knew it would be a really magical and special Christmas with the fun of his age. And it definitely was! The snow excitement just added to the special season and I just really, really loved the feeling of Christmas with the kids this year. Here are some highlights in pictures...
Decorating the Tree....
I love when everyone is excited and therefore being nice and getting along! The kids had a great time helping me decorate the tree.
I hadn't had any luck getting a family picture of my own family (hardest part of being the photographer) so I decided to forget the cute family picture that wasn't happening and go with funny for our Christmas card. I was so glad I did because it turned out hilarious and the kids loved it!
Here are a couple outtakes that I love...
Pierce and Madi were great sports about me tying them up, they thought it was so funny and Jens thought it was great too, up until I put the tape on his mouth!
But I got the shot! Success! Here is what we used for our card...
Here is the finished product...
I was so happy with how it turned out! (Thanks to Kathryn for Photoshopping it together for me!) We got so many compliments from so many people who loved the card and thought it was just so funny! Now the only problem, what to do for next year? I don't think I can top the funny-ness of this. So perfect for our life right now.
Mom forcing them to stand still for a picture in their Christmas Sunday best, which was only made possible with the compromise that they could hold the treats they had gotten at church. Cute outfits though!
Mom
finally gave in and let Pierce get a DS from Santa! He could not have been more thrilled!
Madi has been wanting an American Girl doll for the last couple of years, she finally made some improvement in the "taking care of and picking up her toys department" and Santa brought her Kit! Love this smile, makes some of those headaches worth it!
Still loves Hello Kitty!
And so it begins...
So in love with this sweet boy. Love this face and his excitement!
A Christmas visit to Grandpa and Todd's graves. We sure miss them. Love you Grandpa!
Opening gifts from Mom and Dad later in the afternoon...
Not sure what it is, but it's big so he's excited!
More Legos! This kid could never get tired of Legos.
Excited for her Hello Kitty alarm clock!
I gave Jens this adorable Superman shirt and cape (and a Batman one also) and it was so funny he put it right on, made the gift opening even cuter.
We also gave him some "Mike and Sulley boots" he was so excited to have his own boots! Of course those came right on too!
And that made the gift opening even
more cute! Just love this picture! Never want this boy to get big.
Our Sock Monkey loving girl was so excited for sock monkey slippers and a sock monkey BYU hat! She loves this hat so much it even replaces her beloved Hello Kitty hat as her daily hat to wear during the cold months. She wore it to school until I convinced her it was too warm!
We gave the kids new clothes hampers, Jens was pretty excited about his, not so much for the place to put clothes...
Can you spy a sweet boy? We still don't use it for dirty clothes, but what a fun hiding spot!
We had a wonderful Christmas Day! I love the joy and real magic that it brings to our home and family. I am so grateful for our Savior Jesus Christ, for his miraculous birth and the glorious celebration that reminds us not only of his birth but his perfect example, his atonement and his resurrection.
