Christmas Day

This year was so fun because the kids each had something that they wanted ''SO BAD!"  We opened presents, and relaxed.  I love not going anywhere in the mornings, it gives the kids plenty of time to play.  The Dawsons came over for Christmas breakfast, we're always happy to have such great company!  In the afternoon, we headed over to the Dawson's house to hang out, and more present exchanging with Ryan, Courtney, and boys.  It was such a wonderful Christmas!

  Luke has been anxiously awaiting Christmas... he didn't even want to open any more presents, just wanted to start building

Carly got an 'our generation' doll, Ashley Rose

baby rapunzel is all that Hailey has talked about since she saw her at the store

Abigail and her doll, Lilly Anna

Luke built all three pieces of her lego set in under 2 hours without any help.  This kid is dedicated!

The kids with our breakfast guests

 I love Christmas afternoon at the Dawson's.  After all the presents are done and kids are entertained... all I have to do is sit and hang out :)

Ryan and his handsome boys

Christmas Eve

 Christmas Eve was spent with the Jenkins family.  We had all of us kids, my parents, and Grandma Dixie... everyone was there, it was great! 

 eagerly awaiting dinner

 Brent's still super popular with the kids

 We had an after dinner program, and the kids sang some carols for us

 Santa surprised us this year!  Most of the kids freaked out with excitement and the others just freaked out.  You can see which side Carly was on.  She wrapped her legs around me so tight, I couldn't pry her off.

 Hailey was so excited to sit on his lap and get her present!  She sat right in front of him until it was her turn.

 Shannon really wanted to be in the kid and Santa picture... ok, Kael just wouldn't have it any other way.  I was surprised none of the kids guessed who it was, even Ben had to be told who it was.  Apparently no one saw Thomas Luke sneak away during the Chrismas carols.  Luke has played Santa a few times, and he's very good at it.

 Trying to see how Santa was making his get away

 When Brent opened one of his gifts, he said, "Now I have tools so that makes me a man, even though I have cats"  

We were all shocked when Brent adopted some little kitties earlier this year.  We all grew up as cat haters, but Shelley is slowly opening our eyes to the cute little things :)  I even offered to babysit them (which is a huge step for me)  but Brent thought I was joking.  When he realized I wasn't, he just told me I couldn't put them out in the snow, or let Carly throw them out in the snow.

 The kids all got some nice sleeping bags from G & G. 

Abigail organized a little camping party

Christmas parties

 We had a great time at the Smith (Ben's Mom's family) party this year!  Lots of good food, company, and games for the kids. 

 

 The kids played a games by carrying skittles with spoons across the floor.  My kids were the only ones picking the dropped ones up and eating them as they went.  Oh what the Smith's must think of us :)

We always look forward to making our Christmas trees.   My Mom made a million star sugar cookies for the kids to make their trees.  Every year they get better at it. 

Party time!

 Abigail has been so excited for her friend party this year.  She has had lots of ideas on how to make the perfect party.  She didn't want any help, she had a vision for it.  One of her favorite books is, 'The Best Loved Doll'.  It's about a girl that has a birthday party with her doll.  So she decided it would be a tea party, and the girls would wear party dresses and bring their dolls.  We decorated cupcakes and mini cupcakes for the dolls.  She wanted to decorate tea party hats, but I wasn't exactly sure where to get 'tea party hats'.  My friend found some sparkly new years hats at the dollar store, and Abigail loved them, so we went with that.  Abigail also decided that we had to have a pinata at the tea party.  No matter how many times I told her that  a proper tea party doesn't have pinatas, we still ended up getting a pinata.  We played some party games with the girls and their dolls, opened gifts, and ran through the house a lot.  Abs said it was wonderful! 

 Excited birthday girl

 The guests in their tea party dresses

 Grandma Sharla helping Carly decorate cupcakes

 Abigail and her friend/cousin, Jenna

 The girls cracked me up with how their decorated their hats, and there was glitter in my kids hair for days

In her go-to party dress.  She loves this dress, good thing I bought it big, she's had it for 3 years

 getting the pinata loot.  

Photo bomb

The little girl on the end cracked me up... we had a  conversation about how her Mom said tea parties don't have pinatas, but she was happy that ours did.  I'm glad our party didn't dissappoint.