Christmas!

It was your typical Christmas morning...wake up around 8:30, make sure everything was in place, let the kids come out, open stockings, then open presents for the next four hours :)  We were glad to have Jeff and Jill, Great Gma Joyce, and Gpa Fitz with us. The kids got everything they wanted and more and we're so thankful for that. We spent the rest of the day in our pjs letting the kids open and play with everything and anything. I didn't have any dinner plans again (what is my problem?) so we got Panda Express. Right about then I couldn't stand the wrapping paper, packaging, toy mess any longer (plus the babies were so confused about where they could walk), so I made everyone clean up and go to bed. I thought for sure I would stay in my pjs, but my friend and I decided to go see Saving Mr. Banks instead. As far as I'm concerned, it was the perfect Christmas. 

Christmas Eve

We love having a White Christmas up in Mt. Charleston at Great Gpa Fitz's house. 

 Their first time in the snow...can you tell they LOVED it! At least for awhile :)

 

And the big kids first official snowman...maybe not quite as good as Olaf, but we'll take it :)

 A rare picture of the six of us. I love it!

 We didn't know how long we would be in the mountains, so I didn't really plan anything for the rest of the night. So we made a few funny last minute choices on Christmas Eve.
First...Lowe's because we needed a part for the toilet, and why not?

 Second...Applebee's because...we had no food in the house!

 Then, of course-my favorite Christmas moments...jammies, reading Luke 2 and The Night Before Christmas, a picture by the tree, cookies for Santa, and tucking everyone in so Santa could come.

 We had the big kids sleep in our room so we could wake up on Christmas morning together. It was really fun listening to them try to sleep so Santa would come. I wish I had a picture. Then...he came!

 Rachel really wanted a Sophia doll,

 and Adam wanted a Jack in the Box "more than anything".

 The babies couldn't ask for anything, but Brooke kept brushing her hair with her hand, so Santa took the hint :)

And to all a good night!

Christmas Activities

Our normal Christmas traditions: Parties!

 We actually squeezed in Disneyland with the Seversons. We were tired, but it was really fun to see them.

We were right in front when they flipped the lights on Small World. Yes, it was magical.

 

Meeting Santa...no tears! 

 The kids had a party at school...Rachel devoured hers right away. Even ate the glue covered graham crackers.

 Magical Forest at Opportunity Village...probably our favorite tradition.

 Oh, they know they look good.

 Our favorite new tradition--we loved having Lauren come over and teach us about Hanukkah. The kids loved everything about it...the candles, the dreidel, the latkes...it was awesome. Thanks, Lauren!

It was really fun to read excerpts of the Christmas letter to the kids...they still laugh about the stories about them :)

                                                
And nothing can beat your neighbors having a petting zoo and pony rides at their baby's first birthday party. It was one of the coldest days we've had, but it was awesome!

Our days leading up to Christmas were busy and fun. Hopefully I can blog about the actual holidays soon!