Christmas Angels

"The best gift is the gift of friendship" - or so it was stated in Polar Express.  As I heard this, last night, I thought it was so very true.  It truly is amazing what a friend can do for your mental state, physical state, and the state of your family.  "You are my hands" - D&C 81:5

There was so much more I wanted to do and so much more I wanted to do for others and I hope next year that does happen.  But I am happy to say I don't state this with a sense of disappointment.  The fact is, it was an amazing Christmas season, day, experience.

"My favorite part about Christmas was giving presents and feeling how you feel when you do.  I felt really happy when I gave Andi and Ryan their presents."

Things that warmed my heart....

We were able to get together for a good-bye dinner for Markie.  Sad dad wasn't there but it was nice nonetheless.  We're super excited for him and his ventures up in Utah.

Paige and Brittany - proof that Wes had amazing taste :)

The moments these two come together united in purpose!  At times I have to tell Andi to back off a bit but she always responds, "But I just love him so much."

Jackson desperately wanted to get gifts for everyone in the family.  The problem was, he didn't want me or Andrew taking him because he didn't want us to see what he got.  He came up with the idea to call grandma and grandpa to ask them to take him shopping.  They were our of town dropping Markie off at his new home in Utah but they still agreed.  After driving home and arriving around 2pm, they made their way to Canyon Country to take each kid out on their own shopping trip to Target, per Jackson's request.  This seriously needs to become a tradition.

Plenty of gifts and all from the kids and our secret santa.

I asked the kids to take a bag and fill it with toys they don't "need".  We would then leave this bag under the tree and Santa could then use it to help bring more toys to other boys and girls that need it more than we do.  They had a lot of fun doing this and I hope we remember to do it each year.

Sweet teachers that think of our kids despite their busy schedules!

Christmas Eve with the family.  We desperately missed Juana and Ito but were grateful to still carry out most of our traditions.  And good 'ol Cole, always the first one to the table!

Traditions:  Eating a fine meal, reading of Christ's Birth, opening one gift.

Getting home at about 8pm and having a "Cookies for Santa" plate (thanks, April) and cookies already prepared (thanks, neighbors).  We forgot to make our own this year but we did make a birthday cake for Jesus; we just forgot to take a picture.  I have tried to make this a tradition for three years now and I'm not so sure it'll be one to stick.  We shall see.

Jackson's notes to Santa were so thoughtful.  He left Santa some pointers on each child's stocking.  He also put out a muffin and told Santa that it was for Mrs. Clause.

Kids all cozied up in their new blankets from grandma and grandpa, stockings stuffed and the hall blocked off.

"Santa" truly is miraculous - many thanks to all his helpers!

I'm loving our stocking tradition of opening them up on our bed.  Mind you, I'd love it even more if Jackson wasn't up at 3:45am trying to start the festivities.  We were lucky to hold him off until 6:30am but man, we were sleepy!

All the joy the kids expressed especially when giving the gifts they personally picked out for one another - it was such a good morning.  Jackson didn't get the exact thing he wanted, but he handled it well and found gratitude for all he did receive.  Andrew was glad to teach him this lesson and hopes he remembers you don't always get want you want but you need to find joy in what you have.

Off to grandma and grandpa's we go - make sure all dolls are secured in their seat belts!

Cole is always the first to start things off - this time it was the stockings.  These kids are ridiculously spoiled and needless to say, I left some of the goodies at grandma and grandpa's for future sleepovers.  Brilliant, I know.

Santa dropped off some big wheels at grandma and granpa's which is perfect for the big 'ol driveway.

They also hooked us up with some new "Sunday Best"

Juana and Ito always know how to open their home for all of us making it so comfortable and warm.  There's nothing like going to a gathering and not stressing over what the kids may or may not do.  I am grateful for all those that thought of the kids and gave them such appropriate, thoughtful gifts.  But I'm most grateful that the white elephant gift exchange is turning into quite a tradition.  We haven't exchanged gifts with the family in years and so this is a perfect way to still get everyone sitting together and focused on the same thing without the pressure and expense of exchanging gifts.  Love our family.

On the 27th, Papa and gramma nette came to celebrate some Christmas with the kids.  They gave the kids their little play kitchen which is fitting for all the little chefs in this family.  The most entertaining part of this gift exchange was watching Cole freak out over his slippers - yes, they freaked him out and are still freaking him out and we can't figure out why.

I packed up the stuff yesterday and it was sad taking it all down.  Erin Wilson said the happiest time of the year is Christmas time because more and more people are focused on Christ.  Here's to hoping that throughout the next 11 months, we continue to focus on Christ as though it were Christmas.  And we pray that over the next 11 months, we can give back our time, love, and friendship to all those that made this Christmas one of the best!