Monday, January 23, 2012

Better Late Than Never Right?!

Christmas 2011


Santa visited our ward party a couple weeks before Christmas. The kids were so excited to sit on his lap and tell him what they wanted.  Once Cash's turn came around, he hurried up onto Santa's knee and gave him a big hug - the only kid to do that.  Santa was so delighted with it - it really was darling!  Cash asked Santa for a Nintendo and a remote control airplane.


Then Vanna Banana was next.  She has such a sweet way about her and she sat there on Santa's knee rambling on and on about things.  She told Santa she wanted a remote control airplane too, (Cash talked her into one of these I think by telling her that they could crash them and fight them if they both had an airplane :) along with a new baby doll. 


On Christmas Eve we made cookies for Santa to enjoy when he made his stop at our house.  The kids were thrilled to make cookies.  I love the look on Vanna's face in the picture above - I just love the contagious enthusiasm and excitement kids have about Christmas. 


The kids weren't satisfied with making only Christmas shaped cookies and simply had to include all the shapes they could muster up with our cookie cutters.


And of course, one of their favorite things to do - put sprinkles on the cookies.  Vanna is taking her job pretty seriously here.  After we finished with the cookies, we placed them, along with carrots for the reindeer, by our fireplace.  Then we read the Christmas story and then each of us opened a gift - we always each open one gift on Christmas Eve night - something I remember always doing growing up too.

Christmas fell on a Sunday this year which I thought was special.  What better place to go to remember the true meaning and importance behind the holiday.  Our church starts at 9am though so we had already talked to the kids about being able to come out to see what Santa had left them but that we wouldn't start opening presents until we got home from church (since we barely make it to church on time as it is :) 

I woke up early Christmas morning and couldn't go back to sleep so I decided to just get up and start getting ready.  Well, at 6:30, Vanna came walking into our bathroom to greet me.  I told her that I thought Santa had come while she was asleep and asked her if she wanted to wake up her Dad and Cash so we could go see what he'd brought.  She was so excited!  We woke up Daddy and then went to wake up Cash.  Cash is usually not a very early riser and can be a bit grumpy when he first wakes up but when Vanna said, "Cash wake up!  It's Christmas! Let's see what Santa brought!" he was out of bed in a flash.  As he was climbing down his bunk ladder he was saying, "Okay, come on, come on!  What are you guys waiting for!?"  So funny.  The kids ran out to the Christmas tree and saw......


......this!  Since we were up so early and had plenty of time, we decided to just open our presents before church and then worry about the mess and clean-up/put away after church. I always love to watch the kids tear open their gifts!  And their faces, as they opened their gifts, displayed pure JOY!


Ty's loot -  He got a new winter coat that he looks really good in, a new/bigger tackle box and case for his pole, wallet, web camera, saftey radio/flashlight, CD and candy.  Ty teasingly said the only thing he didn't get for Christmas that he wanted was a baby. Well, he didn't have to wait too long - here I am on Christmas day (two days before we had little Rosalie) looking as big and ready as ever!



My loot - I got some much needed kitchen supplies like some new cookie sheets and measuring cups, etc. from Pampered Chef, DVD, a food processor (I'm very excited to try it out - thanks honey!), clothing, scrapbooking supplies and a beautiful blanket my mom made us.


Cash's loot - A booster seat, LeapPad, slippers, toy pocket knife, a remote control helicopter, cars, and a new outfit.   His stocking stuffers included a new HexBug and some glow sticks that he'd been wanting since he saw them at Halloween. We got the kids some wonderful books and a sled together too.  Now if only it will snow so we can use it! :)


Vanna's loot - A LeapPad, new outfit, a toy puppy, a baby and a stroller, playpen, carseat and blanket for her new baby.  She also got her first Barbie (and it's horse that came with it).  Her stocking was full of glow in the dark bracelets and girly/smelly chapsticks that she loves.  It was so funny when she squealed to everyone she saw that day that, "Hey, I got a puppy!"  they would look at us with a look of "Are you crazy - a new baby and a new puppy at the same time?"  We would have to explain that it's a toy puppy that walks around and barks like a real one. :)


Baby Rosalie was spoiled too and she wasn't even here yet to enjoy it! :)  We got her a highchair and a blessing dress for Christmas and she got some new outfits and blankets from loving grandparents too. 


We just want to thank all the grandmas and grandpas who always play their part in spoiling us (probably half of what you see is given to us by them!) - we are so appreciative and hope you know of our love for you!  We really had such a great holiday filled with MUCH excitement and MUCH to be grateful for!  Hope your was filled with the same!

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