Christmas

It's taken me a week to post about Christmas and if I go any longer, it will never get done. Santa was especially good to us this year. We had a great Christmas and everyone was so happy and content all day.

First, we enjoyed a great Christmas Eve dinner with the Hawkins', then baked and frosted sugar cookies for Santa, and listened as Jeremy read the Nativity from Luke. Then it was off to bed with a quick reading of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. The kids all slept in Jake's room and were given instructions not to come upstairs before 7:00 am. They fell asleep and it was off to work. Jeremy worked most of the night (until nearly 4:00) putting together the new trampoline. He was absolutely exhausted, but in perfect Jeremy fashion, didn't show his tiredness the next day and was as happy as always.

The kids were elated with their Christmas. I swear every year that I'm going to simplify Christmas, but then when all is said and done, it's not so simple or cheap. But I love the look on the kids' faces on Christmas morning.

We spent about 20 minutes tearing our gifts open and the next several hours playing with our loads, until it was time to get ready for 2:00 church. Then it was off to Mesa for the Goodman family Christmas party. The girls were so happy with their Barbies and Jake his dog tags. Then the White elephant gift exchange, not the best year of the WE, but still fun.

Here are the pics from the big day:

Our fam on Christmas Eve

Abby showing off her new boots

Hannah with her new Barbie clothes

Annie with her new Rapunzel doll

Jake with his new Cowboy's shirt and Captain America parachute guy

Jeremy surrounded by all his loot

This is how Annie and Hannah spent their morning - playing with their new Barbies by the fireplace in Annie's "room"

This is how Jake and Abby spent their morning - downloading music from itunes for their new ipods

A glimpse of the chaos at the Goodman family Christmas party. The room is definitely too small for how big the fam has gotten.

It was a full Christmas season. I'm grateful for my Savior, His humble birth his perfect life and example and especially his atonement for me. I'm thankful for the blessings that are mine because of Jesus.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!