Merry Christmas

On Christmas morning we awoke to our first snowfall of the season! It was beautiful. The kids woke up around 7:30 and we had a nice couple of hours opening presents. Mia dove right into her candy and loved her baby doll stroller. Emma and James received Legos, Star Wars items and a Leapster game system. Quinn spoiled me as well with a new robe, Bones DVD, Taylor swift CD, lotion, body wash and some books. He also bought us laptop computer. Quinn received a few new shirts, a Star Wars mug and a gift card to Game Stop.

The mess and my new robe.

James' pile

Mia's pile

Emma's loot

Setting up a new race track.

Mia trying out the doll juice.

Emma playing with her new lion and mimicking bird.

After breakfast we headed up the the Van Bibber's house for more fun.

These kids are fixing Grandma's table with the play tool set. It was so cute.

Everyone including Taylor's girlfriend McKenna.

The following day we did it all over again with the Lavenders.

Aunt Angie has now been banned from Nerf guns!

It was a great Christmas with family and food and over much too soon!

Christmas Sunday and Christmas Eve

25 or 26 years ago Grandma and Grandpa Zundel brought 2 dresses and a sweater back from Austria for Carly, Daniel and I. They fit my kids perfectly this year.

We were able to get the sweater on James for a picture which I thought was pretty good because we have a hard enough time getting him to wear any church clothes.

We think this was the second year we wore the dresses because Daniel is in a different sweater and Carly's dress looks small but it was the only one we could find right now.

Christmas Eve was spent bowling with the Van Bibbers

Daniel, Hannah and Lyla made it in time but Carly, Jeff, Owen and Dylan arrived just as we were leaving. Grandma and Grandpa Moore came to watch. Poor Brock was home sick.

Ready for Santa!!

Santa!

We took the kids to Farmington Station to see Santa and Mrs. Claus because they are so cute. Grandma and Grandpa Lavender were able to join us too. We really lucked out and walked right up with no wait. Awesome. The kids walked in and he talked with them about if they had been good or not and how they can continue to be good. Then it was Mia's turn. I was ready for the crying shot, so I could have one to match the other kids. Instead she pulled the old go limp move which was very effective and basically slid right off his lap and then burst into tears.

After Santa we had time to go to Founders Park in Centerville to see their lights. They were very pretty. Then we had some yummy dinner (breakfast) at IHOP. That is everyone except James because for some reason we let him order the silly face pancake made from cool whip. He hates cool whip, crazy kid.

Love the colors from the fountain in this picture, oh and the handsome man and cute baby too!

Grandma and Grandpa Lavender and the kids in Founders Park in Centerville.

Just an awesome treat with blue, purple and green lights. It was the prettiest one there!

The following Monday we had our Joy School Christmas Party where the kids performed the Nativity. James was a Wiseman and Emma was an Innkeeper.

 Later that week we got a special visitor at our house!

While reading Christmas books there was a knock at the door.

Santa!

The kids were a bit shocked to see him at the door and ran away and didn't let him in but soon were chatting with him. Mia would not go near him though. Thanks Santa for taking to visit our house personally. Did this mean our kids needed an extra reminder to be good?

Sitting on Quinn's lap next to Santa was just too much too.