Christmas

The boys were up early but waited patiently until Benson woke up so they could all go downstairs to see what Santa had left.  This is them in front of their stockings.

Benson wasn't too sure what everyone was so excited about as soon as he woke up but once he looked down stairs he couldn't stop talking, he had seen his balloon!! If the only thing Benson got was a balloon he would have been more then happy. He was so excited and just kept saying "Bayoon, bayoon"  It made it even better that bubbles were tided to it at the end. Above each of the boys got a box of cereal which they were all excited about as well.

For Christmas they got a couple of different games and that is what they spent a lot of the day doing was playing them. Alden has a love of board games just like his dad.  Calvin, Benson, and Mom also play but just not with quite the same enthusiasm.

I think we probably have more pictures either on Michael's phone or ones we took with the camera, but if not here is what each person got...

Alden- He got a box of wood, a piece of sandpaper, and some nails. When people called on Christmas he told them in his super excited voice that he received a piece of sandpaper! There responses were always, "Oh, you got a piece of sandpaper for Christmas...that's exciting".  I'm grateful for Alden's enthusiasm and optimism.  Alden got busy right away, he had great plans to build a car but now that he realizes we would need to get a number of other things he has turned his wood into all sorts of things.  He has loved making and creating!

Calvin- He got a basket ball.  The boys started basketball just before Christmas and he has especially needed a ball at practices.  Calvin like Alden is just happy to be a part of everything and was happy with just all the excitement. I don't think he would have needed any presents to keep him happy.  Even before we opened presents Calvin was jumping up and down with excitement and continued to do so throughout the morning! He also got a hot wheels car that he can play with everyday as he plays cars and blocks.

Benson- Well you already know Benson's big gift.  He got two balloons and bubbles and couldn't have been happier.

Together- they received a telescope, and a couple of games.

I got- Some very nice long sleeve maternity shirts. This is my first time expecting a baby during winter months and I didn't have even a single long sleeve shirt and only one pair of pants.  I had been being creative with clothes but am grateful to have some warm things to get me through the next couple of months.

Michael- Got some running gear that is nice and bright so people won't miss him! :)

Overall it was a wonderful wonderful Christmas.  It was nice having Andrew here to celebrate with us.  The boys are already talking about how excited they are for it to come again.

 

Winterhaven and Andrew comes to visit!

One thing we love about being in Arizona is going to Winterhaven to see the lights.  They always do a great job.  It was fun this year because my brother Andrew was in town to go with us.  The boys have loved having their Uncle Andrew around to play with, read them stories, and watch them do all of their crazy tricks!

When we returned from winterhaven the boys got to open their first Christmas present. Aunt Tara had sent them matching Christmas PJs and then they got to spend the night sleeping under the Christmas Tree.  It was a fun end to a nice day.

Christmas Day

Christmas was a nice relaxing day. The boys came down looked in their stockings, then wanted to take a break so they could eat some of the yummy things that they had.

We then went on opening presents stopping after each one because they wanted to play with what they got.

The big gift this year to everyone was this castle. Everyone had fun playing castle throughout the day!

winterhaven and Christmas jammies.

On the 23rd we let the boys open their Christmas PJs from aunt Tara and then they got to sleep under the Christmas tree!

Christmas Activities

We usually go to the temple in the morning on the first Thursday of the month.  This month we decided to go at night so that we could walk around and see all of the Christmas lights.  It was beautiful! Also this was the first time Michael and I have been able to go in together for a long while, some of Michael's cousins live near the temple and watched the boys!  It was a nice evening.

For our ward Christmas party the theme was the Polar Express.  They did a great job with everything.  We came in our pjs which was wonderful, so nice coming home and having everyone including me all ready for bed!

At one point they had all the kids go get on the polar express train, the chairs were all lined up next to a lite up train.  On the train they sang Christmas carols for all of us to listen just as they did in the Polar Express.

Then they finished with going to see Santa and getting a special Christmas Bell.  The whole activity was great! We all really enjoyed it!

This last picture was a few nights later we decided to drive around and look at Christmas lights, we came home to eat some freshly made hot apple sauce.  We all loved it!  I think that might be a new tradition, I like it so much more then hot chocolate because not only does it taste yummy, smell yummy but you feel good after eating it rather then sluggish. It was a perfect end to a nice night!