Christmas Take 1

On our traveling years we have to celebrate Christmas a few times to get it all in.  We decided to do our Christmas last night which entails appetizers, Christmas music, gift opening, and usually a Christmas movie.

The kids had so much fun opening gifts and are so grateful for what they receive.  We still do the 4 gifts (something they want, need, read, and wear) and that works out so well for our family.  I usually do a 5th gift too (something they share).  I would totally go overboard if I didn't limit myself this way and it also makes me be very thoughtful about the gifts I purchase.  

Sawyer just wanted to eat the paper and got pretty mad at me when I would take it away from him. He didn't care about any of his gifts obviously, but the other two were pretty excited about most of his as well as their own.

Tyler and I LOVE our families and they are so generous during the holidays but we both feel that the Christmas with just the 8 of us (ha gotta include the dogs) is our favorite.  It's relaxing and just a very special time for us.  We loved it when it was just the two of us and is even more special with kids. Yesterday a couple of us stayed in our pajamas all day and I'm pretty sure Rilyn never brushed her hair.  It's a laid back kind of time and that is something we throughly enjoy!

Sawyer is a master temper tantrum thrower already.  He was mad because I moved the present a little too far away for his liking

Playing with their new easel.  

Rilyn and her baby in their matching clothes.  She is really into matching right now!

Today we had all the Deckers over to our house for Christmas Take 2!  We had a pot luck brunch which included among many yummy things cinnamon rolls made by Yvonne (YUM) and a crock pot full of hot chocolate.  We all got lots of goodies and enjoyed spending time with everyone.  Although we have decided that currently none of us have a house big enough for Christmas with the Deckers.

Can't wait to celebrate more Christmas when it's actually Christmas ya know!  I don't think I could get tired of it

Tis the Season

It's amazing how quickly December has flown by.  I love spending lots of time celebrating the season with the kids but no matter how early I get started it still isn't enough time.

This year we had our advent calendar up before the 1st so we've been making it a priority to read our scripture for the day and usually we do a little activity to go along with whatever the scripture was.  The kids have really enjoyed doing it and so I have!

Here are some of the fun Christmas activities we've been doing....

Decorating of course!

Drinking of hot cocoa

Undecorating and unwrapping thanks to Sawyer's ability to roll wherever he pleases

Rilyn and I went to Polar Express reading at the library in her PJs and of course we had to have some ice cream before it started.

The dogs have enjoyed snuggling by the light of the Christmas tree.

Enjoying early morning play times by the Christmas tree.

Baking cookies

Snow fun

The tree lighting at our town park in which we get to visit Santa!

A drive through light display on a snowy night with hot coca and popcorn.

And those are just the activities that I took pictures during!  We also had a Christmas party with our moms group, spent lots of time with our nativity, created lots of Christmas crafts, read lots of Christmas stories, danced to Christmas music, and watched Christmas movies.

No wonder I'm feeling a little tired ha!  But so much fun with these 3 little munchkins!  

Santa Visit

Today we took the kids to see Santa.  I had originally planned on taking them to the library for Santa Story-time, where we could visit with Santa for free but I got sick and we had to cancel.

So, off to the outlet mall we went today and NO line!  The kids had fun and I did enjoy taking them even though we had to pay for pictures.  Ha, I know...I'm a cheap mom but I prefer the free pictures :)

Ryder was being a little stink and didn't want to smile for the pictures.  He loved Santa but knew he could get a little rise out of us by refusing.  By the time we got him to smile poor Rilyn had been smiling for 10 minutes so the boys are smiling but Rilyn definitely has the awkward "give me a break" smile.

When we were done Rilyn told me, "I'm really happy to see Santa because I was missing him today." These kids do love their Santa.

I was shocked that Sawyer didn't cry but nope so far we really haven't had any crying kid Santa pictures.  Maybe next year :)