Christmas

Our Christmas was filled with lots of family-time and food. On Christmas Eve, we spent the morning cooking rosemary potatoes, rolls, and sugar cookies (all the CARBS!!) It was tough to get it all done but thanks to the boys who fully took on sugar cookie cutting and decorating duty, we got it all done. We then went to Max's Uncle Jay's house. The turkey took a little longer to cook when we got there but we were excited to have more cousins to play with. My boys had been really missing August, and it is always so fun seeing how big our new cousin Emmett is getting. We were eventually able to eat dinner! Everything tasted great! The tables were then cleared and gifts were passed out. Uncle Jay is always so generous and knows exactly what little boys will like. (There are significantly more nephews and great-nephews than nieces in this family) He spoiled them with whoopie cushions, balls, masks (a fire truck for Charlie) etc. It is a great tradition to play with the toys, throw the wrapping paper balls, and wrestle. I know my boys love coming here. And Charlie has asked multiple times if we can move back there. (We lived in Uncle Jay's basement the majority or Charlie's first year of life)

Justin surprised Max with this "Handicorn" it has brought a lot of laughs.

We had to leave a little bit early to head over to my Green Grandma's house to spend the rest of Christmas Eve with my Dad's side of the family. The group was smaller than usual since James and Elizabeth weren't there and a couple of my cousins weren't able to come with their families. But it is always fun to see my cousins that were there and my grandma of course, and meet the new little Amelia (my cousins baby) We ate some yummy dinner then cleaned up. My cousin Andrew is 12 years old and sandwiched between 5 sisters so he is always so excited to see Charlie and Miles and he plays so well with them that I felt like I barely had to watch them. ( I wish I got a picture) After dinner a large part of the group went to a walk around the block to look at Christmas lights. Charlie was so excited to go with Andrew and Max went with them. Miles stayed behind to play the famous marble game with my cousin Catherine...(the only photo I took here)

After everyone returned from the walk we grouped into families and were spoiled once again with thoughtful Christmas gifts. 

We were then exhausted and excited to make our way home to get the kids in bed. After the kids were asleep, Max and I turbo cleaned up the living room and kitchen, prepared our Christmas breakfast and got ready for Santa.

Santa left some nice wooden blocks for the boys and must have had a fun time building this tower.

 

the stockings were filled with treats and tropical fruit. The boys got pop-its and everyone got a couple sticky lizards so we could have a sticky lizard fight on Christmas morning.

 Our Christmas morning ended up being a little stressful. Mostly just because I wanted to do a lot in a little time and I get stressed out by that. We had early church on Christmas morning and I love having church on Christmas because it is a great time to reflect on our Savior Jesus Christ and remember that true meaning of Christmas. I was also playing some musical numbers at church so I had to go extra early to practice with the choir. I woke the boys pretty early. Max was pretty sick and could barely talk. We checked out our blocks and stockings that Santa left. We were able to get in some good lizard fights and then had a quick breakfast of Z-bars and yogurt. I had to leave while my sick husband wrangled the boys and finished getting them ready. Once we were at church i played the music for the choir (3 songs) and all the hymns on the organ. I was also surprised to find out that I would be playing 2 extra songs that I had not intended, nor practiced. Luckily, all went well and I was able to enjoy a couple other musical numbers that I didn't have to play and some beautiful Christmas messages.

 We each had 3 lizards in our own color. It was brought a whole lot of joy! We (and Santa) realized that the boys are just as excited about and equally rough with cheap toys as they are with more expensive ones so we went the cheap route this year and have been super happy.

After church we were able to put our second breakfast in the oven. (French toast Raphael)  While it baked we passed out the gifts from under the tree. (no pictures again, I'm the worst!) It was fun to have everything calm down a bit and enjoy giving each other gifts and eating good food with no rush. When we were good and ready, we (the boys) got in their new pajamas and we drove up to my Mom's house to spend Christmas with my siblings and step siblings. It was an enjoyable time and we loved eating up all my mom's well cooked food and seeing all my brothers and having some great cousin time!

 

We stayed late then made the drive home. And then we made the boys part ways with all their new toys again so they could get in bed.
On the next day, Monday, we planned on a whole day at home to relax and play and be warm and cozy. We watched a new movie and ate popcorn. The boys got haircuts (Miles' first one!) Grandpa came over and surprised the boys with Golden tickets to go pick out a toy from their favorite local toy store. Spoiled boys right?



And that was our busy and blessed Christmas time.