Christmas Eve and Day 2013

Busy! That is the only way to describe our Christmas Eve and day this year. We had so many people to see and so many parties to get to. We tried to spend as much time as we could with everyone, but it never seems like enough. By the time we were done, we were all exhausted!

Christmas Eve was with the Evans/Collard/Taylor/Kiniry family. This party starts early and goes all night long. It used to go until midnight or later, but now that we all have little kids, it is getting earlier and earlier. We started out day with snacks then moved into the $5 game. Caden got a truck and Kayla got a baby doll, but their favorite gift was the flashlight. 

 Tyler and I got fruit snacks, a book, and chocolates.

After dinner we had the talent show. The kids did a great job of Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, and Jingle Bells. Carson and Colton did the singing, Kayla piped in a few words here and there, and Caden danced around in circles.

 We wouldn't be able to have such great background music for the talent show if it weren't for this sexy accordion player.  Watch out America; we've got some serious talent in this family!

 Since no one else in the family has any talent, we just sat around singing every Christmas song we knew.

 Then it was time for our traditional Swedish dance in the street.

 Then it was time for presents. Caden was so cute when because when he opened his present from Tracy.  He yelled, "Yeessshhh!!!!!" I wish I would have got it on camera, because it was the cutest and funniest thing ever! Caden got blocks and an outfit.

 Makayla got a Rapunzel dress, crown, and shoes from Karly. She insisted on wearing it the entire night. Now every morning when she wakes up, she asks to put on her "punzle dress."

 Tyler and I got perfume and cologne from Tracy and Jeremy.

After everyone opened presents we had dessert then it was time to head home about 10:00. I don't think we were even out of Terry and Craig's street before the kids were fast asleep.

Christmas Day:
The kids slept in on Christmas day and finally woke up about 8:00. We went down stairs to see if Santa Claus came. I made the kids pose at the bottom of the stairs before they could go see their toys.

We checked to see if Santa ate his cookies and milk that we set out for him the night before. Kayla was pretty upset that Santa didn't eat the last cookie.

 Then the kids saw their toys sitting out. The kids must have been extra good this year because they got spoiled with so many toys!

 Kayla's side:

 Caden's side:

When the kids first saw their presents, Kayla ran right toward her gifts, but Caden didn't quite get it and he ran over to Kayla's gifts too. We tried to get him to go to his side, but he found the gifts that he got the night before and started playing with those. It took some coaxing, but he finally figured out where all of his toys were. 

The kids played with the toys that Santa left out, then they would open another present and play with that for a while. Needless to say, it took us at least an hour to open all the presents from Santa. 

 Santa must know Makayla pretty well because he brought her all Disney Princess stuff, including two princess barbies (that she asked for), Little People Princess Stable, a beauty tote, and a princess sleeping bag. Makayla loved all her gifts and would get so excited with every single present she opened.

 Caden got a tool bench, Sesame Street trains, and cars. He loved driving his cars around all morning.

 Is he not the cutest thing you have ever seen? He just looks so handsome with that smile.

 The kids got a snowman making kit, but I had fun playing with it.

After opening toys from Santa, the kids were a little overwhelmed, so we decided to take a break and have the breakfast Kitty the Elf brought for us the day before. We had muffins, yogurt, and hot chocolate. Then we went back down stairs to open the gifts from each other. 

 The kids weren't as excited with their clothes as they were with their toys. On the other hand, Tyler and I were very excited about our clothing items. Tyler got clothes, shoes, a coat, and piano music. I got a shirt, boots, running shoes, and way pretty jewelry!

 It took us about three hours total to open presents, so we had to hurry and get ready before we headed off to the Evans' party. Once we got there we got to open even more presents!

 These are the "hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil" siblings.

 Tracy and Jeremy drew our names and they gave us a sled, gloves for the whole family, hot chocolate, and a game for a day of family fun. The kids also got money from Great GG Evans. Plus a chair and desk set and  pajamas from Aunt Karen.

We had to rush from that party to get to my family party. The kids only got a 45 minute nap before our next fun began.

I feel so bad, but I completely forgot to take any pictures at the Thomas party. I wish I would have because my mom and dad surprised Tyler with a trip to Alaska in August. My dad will be retiring then and he wanted to take all the boys in the family on a fishing trip with him. Tyler is pretty stoked because he always wanted to go to Alaska, but he knew I didn't, and he didn't think he would ever be able to go. I was also pretty stoked because I got some money for a little shopping spree. Makayla got a Cinderella dress, shoes, crown, and a princess cash register. Caden got a Sesame Street train set. We had a fun dinner together, and my Grandma Draper and Karen came over.

After that party, we decided to head back to Terry and Craig's to see Tyler's Aunt Jo. We only get to see her once a year at Christmas, and we wanted to take every advantage to see her. We thought we would head home after that, but the kids were still in good moods and weren't that tired, so we decided to go over to Tammy and Bruce's house because they were having a party. We talked with some family and friends for an hour or so, then it was time for our kids to go to sleep. They had completely run out of gas. Again, I don't think we were out of the neighborhood before they were asleep.

Chalk it up to another great Christmas filled with family, friends, fun, and our little traditions. I have to say we have the best little family. I'm sure I say this every year, but this was my favorite Christmas. I love that Makayla knew about Santa and was so excited for him to come to her house. I love that Caden kind of understood what was going on and would get so excited once we would talk about Santa. I love that we live so close to family and that we can see all of them multiple times during the holidays. But most of all, I love the time we get to spend together as our own little family every day during the year.

Merry Christmas!!!