The Christmas that Lasted for Three Days

This year was so special because it was Caden's very first Christmas! I remember thinking last year when it was Makayla's first Christmas how weird it would be the next year because we would have two little babies opening presents, and here we are!! I just love this time of year, and helping our little Cader-tot celebrate his first Christmas makes this year especially great!!

Christmas Eve was with my side of the family this year and we had the party at our house. We ordered pizza's then opened presents. 

Makayla had to help Caden open all his presents. My parents gave Caden a toy dog/walker and a cute outfit.

 Makayla got an outfit from Grandma Kathy and Grandpa Bob and a cute baby with a stroller,  crib, and carrier. She LOVED it!

 Aren't my parents cute? They sure spoiled all their grand kids!

 Hannah, Maddie, and Sadie got Furbies. Let's just say they were one of the most obnoxious toys ever! After presents we had dessert and then sat around talking. I think every one was really excited for Christmas day because they all left around 7:30. Either that or we throw a pretty lame party!

Since it was early we decided to catch the last part of the Collard Christmas party. When we got there they started the talent show. Carson read a story and Makayla did "Ring around the Rosie" for her talent. Since Tyler is the only one with real talent in the family, he went next and played the accordian.

 I think we may have scared Ryan's new girlfriend Aubree. She didn't know what was more weird: Tyler playing the accordian or us singing Christmas carols.

Our kids were pretty good troopers. It was way past their bed time, but they were good sports. Although this little guy was getting pretty tired. Look at those puppy dog eyes...

 We did our traditional Sweedish dance in the street. Makayla and Grandpa Craig got to lead us again.

 Cader-tot and I were the caboose.

 Then it was time for more presents. Goodness we are spoiled! Makayla got a dinosaur from Aubree

 Caden got clothes and toys from Uncle Bruce, I got earrings and a shirt from Tammy, and Tyler got a grill light... you know for all those times when you bar-b-q at midnight! :)

 Kayla loved all her gifts.

 After presents we had dessert. The kids were pretty tired considering they were up almost 3 hours past their bedtime so we headed home. See? Poor little kids!

Christmas morning we woke up hoping that Santa Claus brought us gifts and did he ever!!!

As soon as Makayla walked down stairs she started running toward her toys saying "presents!" It was the cutest thing ever! I think this year was so much fun with Makayla because she kind of understood what was going on.

 Caden and Kayla started playing with all their toys from Santa.

 I think Caden loved his very first Christmas

 Sometimes it was harder to tell who loved the toys, Daddy or Caden

 And let's be honest, I was probably more excited to play with Makayla's kitchen than she was!

 Then we started to open the other presents. Kayla got a new blankie

 And a new book

 She also got a new pair of pants and bath toys.

Caden got a new book

 And bath toys that immediately went into his mouth.

 But I think Caden's favorite toy was his new binkies. Caden has started to like them again. Good thing Santa keeps an eye on these kids and knows exactly what they need and want!

Caden also got a new outfit and an ornament for the tree from Santa.

We tried to open presents from each other, but Kayla was a little off schedule from all the fun the previous night. She was so ornery and crying every time we asked her if she wanted to open presents, so we put her down for an early nap at 9:00. She ended up sleeping until almost 11. We figured we would open presents the next day.

Once the kids woke up, we got them all ready in their new Christmas outfits and posed for a picture. Kayla actually put her hand around Caden... pretending to like each other was the best Christmas gift!

 And of course I made my family take our traditional family picture in front of our tree.

 We started out Christmas day at Grandma and Grandpa Evans' house with Craig's side of the family. We had a yummy ham dinner and then did a talent show. Makayla's talent was Ring around the Rosie again, but this time she did it with Grandpa.

 We got spoiled again with lots of presents. We got a Cafe Rio gift card form Aunt Jo and the kids got more toys and pajamas from Aunt Karen and Great Grandma and Grandpa Evans.

 I really wish I knew what everyone was looking at! :)

 This little guy was so tired from all the fun activities. But Daddy loved having some snuggle time with his little man.

 After a few hours there, we stopped by my parents' house to say hi. Since we switch off holidays, we ended up missing my brothers and their families, but we heard they had a lot of fun. By the time we left my parents house Makayla was so tired she was screaming. She didn't know which way was up. I think Chirstmas is so much fun, but it sure is hard on little babies when they get off their schedules. But really, who can blame them?

Remember how we didn't get to open our presents from each other on Christmas? Well we decided to open them on December 26th, so our Christmas ended up being three days long.

I gave Tyler some shirts, a pair of pants, two pairs of shoes, and P90x so he can get that 6 pack abs and look like Brad Pitt... yum!!

 I got a coat, some boots, slippers, perfume, earrings, and an iTunes gift card.

 Makayla and Caden got some clothes, jammies, books, and toys. Kayla was too busy playing with all her stuff to pause and pose for a picture with me.

By the end of our three day Christmas our basement looked like this.

I'll take that as a sign that we had a great Christmas!

 In all the fun, we can't forget the reason for celebrating. Not to get too sentimental, but it really is important to remember the day Christ was born and the ultimate gift our Heavenly Father gave to all of us. I feel so grateful for all the blessings we have and for the wonderful Christmas season to spend with family and friends. My kids don't understand it now, but I want them to know that although getting presents is fun, it is important to take some time during this hectic season to thank Heavenly Father for all gifts he has given to us, especially his son, Jesus Christ.

Merry Christmas! What a great 2012.

December Events Part 2

The weeks leading up to Christmas were jam packed! On December 13 we went to Zoo Lights at Hogle Zoo. Me and the kids met Daddy at work and then headed up to the lights. We decided to stop at Wendy's for dinner and as soon as we pulled into the parking lot I heard Makayla gag, then she started throwing up... all over... like one of those pukes that doesn't end... where it seems like they throw up everything they've had to eat in the last week... ya, it was that bad. Poor Tyler had to clean it up while I went inside to get us food (priorities, right?). We need to learn our lesson and realize Makayla gets car sick. Oh the adventures!!

Once we got to Zoo Lights we had so much fun. Kayla kept saying "ohh, lights!" everywhere we would go. Kayla Bugs posed in front of the elephant

 And with Daddy

It wasn't that cold for a December night, which was really nice. 

 Cader-Tot was bundled up pretty tight. Next year he'll have more fun, but this year he had to chill in the stroller. Good thing he is a chill baby!

 Grandpa Craig and Grandma Terry, and the Jones family met us there. Kayla wanted to pose for a picture on the Elephant's trunk.

 All the kids had so much fun at the Zoo. We didn't get to see a lot of animals, but they had a blast together.

Makayla's favorite part was going on the Merry-Go-Round. Every time she would go past us we would wave and she would start laughing so hard. 

Then we had a cousin night when Tracy and Jeremy went on a date. The kids played Wii

 And made a HUGE fort! I forgot to get a picture, but it seriously took up our entire basement and used every single blanket we had in our house! They had so much fun going through it.

Then we settled down to watch a movie.

On December 15, Tyler and I went to his company party. It was at Legends and they got us a hotel room for the night. It was like our mini vacation. We ended up winning a Blue-Ray DVD player at the party!

 Then on December 18th we took the kids to Thanksgiving Point for lights. They had a Santa and we thought we would stop in before the lights to say hi. We waited in line for 45 minutes only to get to the door and realize there was another 30-45 minute wait to see Santa. That was too long of a wait for an impatient toddler and a tired baby, so I became one of those parents I thought I would never become. I told Tyler we were leaving and I gave him "the look". I figured it wasn't worth it because Kayla would probably freak out as soon as we tried to sit her on Santa's lap. Maybe next year. We did think going to see the lights was fun. you drive through in your car. We forgot the camera, so we had to take pictures on Daddy's phone. Not the best quality, but you get the idea.

Kayla and Caden got to help Daddy drive the truck through the lights.

Every light we would see Kayla would yell, Chrimas lights!!

December 21, 2012 was supposed to be the end of the world according to the Myan Calendar. Good news... we're all still alive! :) I guess the Myans weren't that smart after all. It was also our last day of work for the year, so it really wasn't the end of the world.

Since Christmas Eve is so hectic we like to get together with the Evans' before Christmas to have dinner and open gifts. On December 22 we got together. The kids got spoiled with a TON of gifts.

Grandpa Craig and Grandma Terry posed for a picture (It made me laugh because right before I took the picture they both went, "Wait let me take off my glasses")

Thanks to the Jones Family for hosting the party. Doesn't Colton's smile crack you up?

 The kids got little chairs

And toys, and books, and savings bonds... they really are some spoiled little stinks! :)

Grandpa and Caden played under the table. 

How can you not love this little man? He just melts my heart with his cute little smile!

 So do all of these other lurps! We have the best family.

 But by the end of the night Grandpa (and the rest of us) were a little tired. Grandpa Craig could barely keep his eyes open!

All these fun activities and we weren't even to Christmas Eve yet.