Christmas Day

 The first person to be awake was Nathan at 7am. Everyone else was awake by 7:30 and so we headed downstairs.  The kids were so excited to see their stockings and their presents.  They passed the presents out really fast and efficiently so they could start the rotation process we do every year.  I took very few pictures since I was busy making sure presents didn't get lost or misplaced or broken. 

 Callie was really fun to watch this year.  The candy in her stocking held her attention immediately.  She loved her car from Santa, and the pillow pet we gave her.  My favorite picture of her (in my mind) is her holding her pillow pet in one hand and sucking on a candy cane in the other while on her little car pushing the buttons to make music.  I am not sure how many candy canes she ate that morning, but it was definitely more than 2!   She also loved the art stuff she got.  These fabulous non-messy markers and a sticker book from Grandpa and Grandma Felix. 

 Annabelle got a scooter from Santa and was excited to decorate it and start riding.  She had asked for some Xia Xia pets and thankfully google knew exactly what they were.  The little crabs were fun to watch scuttle around the floor.  Jasmine and Tiana joined Annabelle's crowd of princesses along with a Barbie car.  I had a metallic pink Barbie car when I was little and so I was really excited to get her a car.  Annabelle decided to make her doll a necklace, wrap it and have Jenny with her on Christmas morning.  Good thing she was there since Jenny also got that cute new outfit.

Ryan got that cool BYU pillow pet.  I was nervous since it wasn't a toy, but he LOVES it.  Santa gave him Frigits, a marble game for the fridge.  That has gotten a lot of use over the last few days by everyone who comes by.  It was nice having Devin around so both of the boys could have help putting things together while I took care of the girls.  They are building a car with an erector set.  Ryan also got walkie talkies and Greg was REALLY anxious to use them with him.  He drove all the way to the post office (about 2 miles) and they could still talk to each other.  Greg, and Ryan, can't wait to use them camping next summer.

 Nathan is getting trickier and trickier.  Santa gave him this cool marble gear game.  Him and Greg worked hard on it and finally got it working.  He also got an erector set which he is actually trying to work on with Greg right now.  Greg bought him a circuit game, well not a game, but an activity thing.  Lots of things to put together.  We also bought Nathan (and all the kids) some new books.  Nate got the Fablehaven series and has really gotten in to the first one.  I may have to read these books as I have heard good things about them.
While Greg and I try not to spoil the kids, it always seems like we failed.  But it is fun to buy them things and see them get excited.  They got even more present than I wrote down, but I don't want to list everything.  Greg and I were also both spoiled rotten.  We love getting things for each other, even though we usually get things when we want or need them anyway.  I finally have the electric wheat grinder that I have been wanting.  I made some whole wheat bread the other day and it was fabulous!  I look forward to making bread more often like I used to.  
Around 4:30 Greg's family started showing up.  We had SO much food.  Lots of hors d'oeuvres and treats and yummy food and drinks.  I was more relaxed than I thought I would be with having so many people at my house on Christmas.  The kids played loudly all over the house while the adults found couches to sit and chat or play ipad games.  I think there was even a little Wii and football on at various times.  I love Greg's family and am so glad so many of them were able to come over.

 

 

Christmas Eve

 Christmas Eve was a relaxing day, after we cleaned the whole house.  I normally wouldn't have made that happen on Christmas Eve, but since people were coming over for Christmas and I knew my house would be cluttered from Christmas opening, I wanted it to be clean beneath the wrapping.  We finished before lunch and did have a nice and relaxing day.  We made our gingerbread house and ordered pizza for dinner.  Uncle Devin even came to spend Christmas with us and the kids loved having him there.  After watching 2 or 4 Christmas movies we opened our Christmas jammies.  I have to admit I was worried about Greg's, but he loved them and Callie loved him even more.  The older kids didn't complain too much about going to bed, but Callie for some reason was a stinker.  Ryan kept telling her to be quiet.  Nathan told me not to eat the cookies for Santa since he wanted them in the morning.  He also said, "Mom, I know you are going to kiss Santa tonight."  I think he will be joining Greg and I in the Christmas Eve fun next year. 

 

 

 

 

 

Temple Square Lights

 Every year we have a date to go to the Temple Square lights with my cousins.  And I think we have only done it once with them, and one other time on our own.  Something always seems to come up (mostly sickness or snow or new babies).  This year everything went smoothly.  We ate dinner out and then met my cousin Brandy and her family at a TRAX station.  We jumped on the next train and away we went.  The boys all had fun navigating our trip and they decided that they were old enough to stand on the trip.  Even though it got a little tricky seeing them once more and more people came on board. 

 

 

 Once in Salt  Lake City and out in the cold we bundled up and found my other cousins.  We got lost and separated a couple of times, but with that many people I am not surprised. 

 The lights really are pretty, but as Ryan put it, "Why are we going?  We already know what they look like?!"  It was SOO cold.  I think they need to have the lights up in the summer.  I know I would come, while I can't imagine freezing like that again next year.

 

 Ryan was cold and restless and goofy. 

 

 Callie was heavy, but a good sport.  She liked when we let her walk, but with the crazy crowds, that didn't happen much.  I think she was just in awe with all the lights and water fountains.  

Luckily we all thawed out on the TRAX ride home.  Thank goodness I had goldfish and pretzels in the diaper bag.  Without that and I Spy, we may have had some fussy kids.  Thankfully no one complained about getting in warm pajamas and climbing into warm beds that night.

Family Party

 This party, for Greg's side, is the most looked forward to party of the year.  Every year we get to use an Elementary school that has a lot of history for Greg and his family.  All 11 of the siblings went there.  Pam taught there.  I even did my student teaching there.  We love that school!  Luckily Pam has connections and we get to hang out and play in the gym and eat in the teacher's lounge.  We all have a blast!

 

 

 

 

Getting Ready for Christmas

 This year the kids had a whole week off of school before Christmas.  I was a little worried, but it was a lot of fun.  They played with Callie a lot which gave me some down time that I don't usually have in the morning.  I also decided that this was the week I was going back to the gym in the early morning hours.  While it made me a but more tired (since I was so out of shape), I loved being up before the kids and reading my scriptures and showering before anyone was up.   I am hoping to just tone my 31 year old, mother of 4 children body I have. 

Greg made this cool Christmas tree cookie tower with gingersnap cookies.  It was yummy!  I loved how Greg made the dough, Greg made the cookies, and Greg made the tower.  He even had the great idea to sprinkle powder sugar over the top with the sifter (as close as we got to snow this Christmas season!).

 The boys had a Christmas piano recital.  I am amazed at how well these boy play.  They are getting SO good!  Ryan played "O Come All Ye Faithful" and "Winter Wonderland".  Whenever Ryan heard these songs on the radio he would sing along.  Nathan played a cool version of "Jingle Bells" and "Holly Jolly Christmas".  I really can't get over how well these handsome boys can play.  I don't think I ever was able to play was well as Nathan and I took for 5+ years!

 

 Every year we make gingerbread house-making easier and easier.  We have made our own and we have bought kits to put together.  This year we bought a kit and the house was completely made inside the box!  It even had grooves in the gingerbread to show you where to put your windows and doors.  While it stifled much creativity, we had a lot of fun decorating and sneaking candy. 

 Daddy did a great job with the icicles.  Check out the long ones by the door.

Before and After Snow

 On Saturday we enjoyed some outside fun while it was still warm, at least in the sunshine.  Callie loves riding this bike and I love that all 4 of our kids have used the bike, and worn that coat.

 Annie, in skirt and leggings as usual, opted for the boys old scooter.  She did ride her bike down to the stop sign a bit later.  She is still very timid on things with wheels.

 Greg and the boys roller bladed around the loop.  When Nathan got closer to me he started yelling at me because I took a picture and he was in the back.  He didn't want the picture on the blog because then everyone would think that he was slower than Ryan.  HE wanted to make sure to tell me he was in the back because he fell down and got hurt.  Seriously, it was a funny conversation and he was adamant that I not put the picture in the blog, so it is our little secret!

On Monday or Tuesday...can't remember...we finally had some snow.  The kids were SO excited but Annabelle was the only one who had time to play in it before school.  She made a little snowman and was SOO proud of herself.  Unfortunately it was all melted before the kids came home from school.  Who knows if we will get any snow before Christmas?! 

Callie

Callie is at such a fun age right now.  She does so many cute things and is growing so much.  She talks more than any of our other children and I think it is because she hasn't had the ear problems that our other children had (thank goodness!).  She has so many cute expressions that I had to share these pictures. 

 

 Callie is all girl.  She loves to put on necklaces like mommy and Annabelle. 

 Callie also loves to help in the kitchen.  Since Annabelle got really hurt on a bar stool when she was this age my sister told me to get a ladder.  Callie LOVES it.  It is a little bulkier than the stool, but I feel it is safer.

 

Callie loves to play with her babies.  Here she is feeding them and when she does she sticks out her tongue and makes a cute noise.  I love it!

Oh and Callie went to nursery by herself for the first time and did FABULOUS!  Hooray for calmer and more spiritual Sundays again!