Tuesday, December 25, 2018

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

The day we have been waiting for all year is finally here! We love Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. We have at least 4 parties to go to the two days and we just love spending time with all our family. 

Christmas Eve started at our house when we let the kids open their Christmas outfits from us. 

 Sadly, these are the only pictures I took of our decorations this year:

 But how cute is this cutie in her trendy outfit. I swear she is dressed better than me more days than not.
 I just love these cuties. How lucky are we?
 Our best attempt at a family picture.
 We went to Grandma Terry and Grandpa Craig's house for a few hours. We played the $5 game then had to leave to get to our house for our second party of the night.

 We had my parents over for Christmas Eve. Christmas was kind of weird with my family this year with just my parents over, but it was fun nonetheless. My parents always spoil the kids.
 Makayla got some stuffed animals and make up. One of her gifts was in this cereal box and when she opened it and saw the cereal, she just said, "thanks" and set it aside, thinking it really was just cereal. We all got a good laugh and then told her to look inside for her present.
 Caden got the Earth Mech Legos he has been wanting for about a year now.
 And Brynnli got barbies and a stuffed kitty.

We set out cookies and milk for Santa, oatmeal for the reindeer, and a note then we were off to finish the party at Grandma and Grandpa's

We had the talent show, danced in the street while Tyler played the accordion, then opened presents. Makayla got Jo Jo Siwa stuff, Caden got more Legos, and Brynnli got some cute unicorn toys.
By the end of the night Brynnli was O.U.T, so we let her sleep while the other cousins smiled for the picture. 
 We went to bed that night about 11:00 hoping Santa would come. Makayla was convinced that she would hear the reindeer land on the roof since her room is upstairs now.

The kids slept in until about 7:30. They all showed up in our room and Makayla told us how she really did hear the reindeer on the roof. She got out of bed and tried to peek at Santa downstairs, but she must have just missed him. Darn! Maybe next year!

We took our traditional stair picture

Then we walked into the room... and boy, did Santa ever come! We must have really great kids because Santa spoiled them rotten!



 


 Makayla got a karaoke machine, so she and Daddy did a little performance for us.

 She also got the American Girl Doll Bunny and the tote she asked for.
 Caden got the Police Station Lego he asked for
 And Brynnli's favorite gift was the band aids.
 Just kidding, she got the Bitty Baby and Izzy doll she asked for.
 I love this look on Makayla's face

Caden got the Elmo with headphones he wanted. 
 Then wasted no time dancing. It has some really catchy songs!

 Brynnli is a hoot... I can't remember why she was running around naked, but is there anything cuter?


After opening presents, we headed back to Grandpa Craig's and Grandma Terry's house for the Christmas party with the Evanses. We had dinner, opened presents, and took some family pictures: 

We ended the night with stopping by to see my parents, then heading to Tammy and Bruce's for another family party. By the end of the night we were exhausted, but I wouldn't have it any other way. 
Merry Christmas! I am so grateful to spend time with my family during the season. I'm grateful for the time to reflect on the Savior's birth and I am grateful to my Heavenly Father for the gift of His Son.

Monday, December 24, 2018

Kitty The Elf

Kitty the Elf is back! We have missed him so much this last year. It's amazing how much better the kids can be when they know Kitty the Elf is reporting back to Santa during December. Here's some of our favorite hiding places this year:

Adding leaves to our Thankful Tree. Kitty was thankful for Makayla, Caden, and Brynnli, red hats, and snowman soup. 
 Just taking a marshmallow bubble bath
 Hiding in our Halloween Candy... yes we still have two bowl fulls of candy left.
 Coloring a picture in the kids' new coloring book
 Hiding in Brynnli's drawer and entertaining the princesses

 Looks like he got all tangled up in Caden's Tae Kwon Do belt
 Hiding in our new car...
 Kitty also brought us lots of games and treats during his stay.
 Christmas Eve the kids got to give Kitty one last hug before he left on Santa's sleigh.
 Makayla made me want to cry because she just loves Kitty so much and was so sad to see him go. Those are genuine tears and sadness.


Oh Kitty, we love when you visit us and can't wait to see you again next year.

Sunday, December 23, 2018

A New Car!

For years we have been cramming three car seats into the back of our Mazda 6. The kids would always complain that someone was looking at them or someone was touching them and as always about 5 minutes into any ride I would end up yelling at all the kids to be quiet.


Tyler and I were planning on getting a car in a few months, but things were working out better than expected and we started getting the itch to get our car sooner. We went looking at cars back in August and fell in love with the Buick Enclave. Fast forward a few months we looked a few dealerships then found the one. I can't believe it, but on December 23rd we got.... A NEW CAR!!!

Meet our 2019 Buick Enclave!!!



Every time I get into the car, I just can't believe we own it! It is seriously the nicest car I have ever had in my life. Yay for us!