The day we look forward to all year long is finally here! Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at our house are kind of a big deal. We have about 3-4 family parties to go to in a 24 hour period, and the kids obviously get spoiled with way too many presents. We love being together as a family and celebrating the birth of Jesus. Here's a few highlights from our favorite two days of the year:
Kitty the Elf brought us one last treat and a cute note. He reminded the kids that he watches them all year long, so they better be good.
Christmas Eve was on Sunday this year, and I really enjoyed going to church to make the day feel even more spiritual. I think it is important that we celebrate the real reason for the day and remember the birth of Jesus Christ so that the day doesn't get overshadowed in all the commercialized celebration. Plus, don't our kids look absolutely adorable dressed up for church?
After church we got ready to head to our first of many parties over the next two days.
We set out milk and cookies for Santa and carrots for the reindeer.
Brynnli stole a cookie and Caden pretty much freaked out at her because "those were Santa's cookies!!"
Kitty the Elf always lets the kids have one hug before he leaves
We spent Christmas Eve at Terry and Craig's house this year. The kids had their own kid table.
After dinner we had our talent show. Makayla and Caden sang songs, Colton read a poem, Carson played the recorder, and Tyler played the accordion while everyone sang along.
Then we had another stressful year of the $5 game. I almost think we should ban that game for a few more years until the younger kids can understand the concept of the game and not have meltdowns when someone gets a gift they want. We also had our gift exchange. Makayla got a barbie car, Caden got a remote control (that ended up being his favorite gift of everything he got over the next two days) and Brynnli got play food. Tyler and I got a refillable popcorn bucket and drink bucket for our many movie dates we have planned this year.
After a few hours, we all felt like Colton and were ready to get home.
The next morning the kids kind of slept in, but they were so excited to go down stairs and see what Santa brought them. I love our stair picture every year.
The kids must have been wonderful kids this year because Santa brought them so many toys and fun surprises!
And they're off...
Brynnli got a Doc McStuffins toy cart, a Minnie mouse table with a tea set, Trolls dolls, and more play food.
Makayla got an American Girl doll that looks just like her (she later named her doll Makenna), a hospital Lego set, Shopkins, outfits for her doll, and a scooter.
Caden got a HUGE Lego set that had all of the ninjas and 2300 pieces! A car and mat set, superhero books, a scooter, and some games.
My favorite part of the morning might have been when Brynnli asked Tyler if he would have a tea party with her. They had the cutest conversation about tea and crumpets, and now Brynnli talks in a old lady British accent!
Trust Makayla to organize all of her gifts. She must take after me.
Caden got buried in all 15 packages of his Lego set.
After our fun morning we were off to party #2 with the Evanses.
I didn't take that many pictures here, but we did snap this cute one of the four generations of William Evans.
Then we went to party #3 at my parents house. This was kind of a different party this year compared to years past. Darren is really upset with our family and refused to come. I think he is being immature and selfish, but what can you do? Ryan and Sarah and the boys were there, but they had just got home from a stressful vacation and an almost 24 hour flight delay, so they were exhausted and kind of ornery. I felt bad for my parents because they had gone through so much work to get ready for the party, and no one really appreciated it except for me and Tyler and our kids. It was super quiet and awkward, and at one point during dinner I heard Caden say to Makayla, "how come it is so quiet here?" After dinner we opened presents where Makayla got more Barbies, Caden got more Legos and Brynnli had a meltdown (her meltdown only lasted a few minutes before she was happy with her baby dolls)
Even though we had already been to three parties, and our kids were pretty exhausted, we really wanted to end the night on a high note, so we stopped by Tammy's for party #4. We didn't take any pictures here, but we had a great time talking with family and the kids had a blast playing with their cousins.
I really enjoyed this Christmas season, despite it being a little more stressful and unusual for our family. The thing I think meant the most to us this year was that we tried to follow the Light the World campaign where you spend each day leading up to Christmas doing something each day that helps you to be more like Christ. Each morning we would read the scripture that went along with the theme for that day and we would talk with the kids about how they could be more like Christ and implement the suggestion. Then at the end of the night we would put the ornament on our paper tree. We weren't perfect and we missed a few days along the way, but when we did follow the suggestion, we felt the spirit more that day. It was fun to hear how the kids tried to think of and help others. I especially appreciated the chance to think about others more this season and try to help those in need. I really felt like we spent more of Christmas thinking of others this year instead of what presents we needed to buy or how much money we needed to spend. I am truly grateful for my Savior and for the chance to think of his birth and life and how we can strive everyday to be more like him.
