Holiday Happenings

Be prepared...this is one loaded post... I decided to just combine all of our Holiday Happening into one gigantic post....

"Icabod the Elf"
After we got Christmas set up the kids were thrilled to find that our dear friend "Icabod the Elf" had returned again. Every day Icabod was in a different spot, and so the first thing the kids did every morning was run down and find Icabod. Sometimes he has had to find, sometime a little easier and sometimes he brought the kids surprises. This has been such a fun thing for our family.

Temple Square
It was beautiful and FREEZING when we went to Temple Square. This is one of my favorite Christmas time traditions....the Temple is beautiful, the Nativity is wonderful, the Christus is Inspiring and the lights are breathe-taking!! What a wonderful night!!

Sitting on Santa's lap and the Train Ride

The kids were really excited to go and see Santa and sit on his lap...

well, everyone one was fine, till we actually tried to get Kolby to sit on Santa's lap...

The train ride, after sitting on Santa's lap is such a highlight. The kids seriously love it.
Gingerbread House Making
This year, Icabod our Elf, brought us a gingerbread house kit. The kids were really excited to put it together. What a fun tradition.

Christmas Outfits from Grandma
My mom did it again. She sent some beautiful Church outfits for the kids... Aren't they adorable?!?! The outfits are too!

Christmas Eve with the Williams

We love being with the Williams Family. We feel right at home and we love all these guys so much, always have, always will!! Beth, Joel, Megan, Maggie and Cam. Some of my favorite people ever.

Meridee and Lind. Thanks for having us in your home. You're the perfect hostess's. We love you guys!!

It wouldn't be a party without Grandma and Grandpa Ras. These two are such a good example to me. I've always loved them dearly, but helping them and spending so much time with them lately; I've grown to love and cherish them even more. We love you guys!!

LeGrand knows how to make everything fun. I'm one lucky girl.

Brayden was excited that he was able to help with the puppet Nativity Program. Boy was it a good show!!!

Aunt Meridee reading Christmas stories to all the kiddos.

Acting out the Nativity

This was the first Christmas that we were home and just had our family together...OK besides the year that Kolby was born early Christmas morning, but year was so different it almost doesn't count. Our Nativity was small and quick this year, but we still had a blast. I love this tradition. It really helps the kids focus on the true meaning of Christmas.

Mary and Joseph

Shepherd/wise Man/Inn Keeper

The Angel

I sure do have a beautiful family!!!

Making our Signs and getting stocking readyCan't you just sense the excitement?

Christmas Morning

At 5:00 am Brayden came running in to wake me up. It wasn't the usual excitement that I heard, it was a sheer panic. "Mom, come quick!! Adelyn fell off the top bunk and landed on Sophie. The kids had all wanted to sleep together in the same room and it worked out fine till this... I ran in the room, both girls were on the floor crying. Luckily no one was really hurt....but now they were all wide awake and excited. I told them we had to go back to bed cause it was too early. We had to make sure that Santa had already come. I layed down with them to try to get them to fall asleep again....as we were laying there we heard the ringing of bells, Santa's foot steps and some rustleing around down stairs. The kids were thrilled that they heard SANTA. We waited in the room for a few more minutes, then they couldn't contain themselfs any longer so we all ran in and jumped on daddy to wake him up and tell him what we heard. The kids thought that it was AMAZING. So fun!! Well we make them stay in our room for a while, and we read the Christmas story again.... I bet you can tell that they were listening really well....

We had everyone line up and do a countdown..... When they came downstairs this is what they found!!! Yup, it looks like Santa's sleigh tipped over in our Family Room!!!

I love this picture. So much love and excitement. I love Christmas!!!

Don't you love our matching PJ's. Grandma Ras made some for everyone in our whole family this year....all the siblings, spouses and grandkids. It was alot of work, but we sure do love them. Thanks Mom!!!

The kids got castles with princesses and knights.....They LOVED these. Seriously they wanted to play and play with them. It was a huge hit....I'd highly recommend these.

Another of the kids favorites was the Wii that Nana and Papa and Grandma and Grandpa got them. We've had tons of fun playing together as a family so far. Thank you so much, We love you guys!!

This Christmas was different than any others... It was just our family and it was so relaxing and layed back. I loved it, loved every part of it. I'm grateful that we had some time just to sit and relax and be together. It was a wonderful Christmas!!!!