Our Christmas Day

 

I may say this every year, but this may just have been the best Christmas ever!

We truly had a wonderful day.

We started the day by checking out our stockings, as we always do.

 

Do you see that red bag full of presents? We found it on the front porch Christmas morning. We don't know who brought it but we sure do love our Christmas Angels! We have the best friends. Who ever you are, THANK YOU! (We have more than one "Angel", thank you ALL!)

After checking out our stockings Ken read a nativity story co-written by one of the member of our ward. It was a beautiful story and a wonderful way to start the day thinking about our Savior, Jesus Christ.

 

Usually each year on Christmas Eve we give the kids a new nativity scene. This year we gave it to them Christmas morning after reading the nativity story. Getting a new nativity is something they look forward to. We've now designated the front room as the Nativity room. 

(This year we did something really fun with one of our nativities, I'll share that in another post)

 

We also opened our surprise Christmas Angel gifts as this time. Usually gifts are opened after we eat breakfast but this year it was sort of like having to different Christmas's, which was fun for all.

 

 So, that was our "front room" Christmas.

 

Then we ate a yummy breakfast.

(scrambled eggs, french toast, muffins, sausage, and juice)

 

Then we started our "family room" Christmas gift opening celebrations.

This was SO fun to watch the kids open their presents.

I especially love watching the way they react to the gifts given to/from each other. This year they each drew names and were given $15.00 dollars to spend on the sibling they drew. This is a tradition that we haven't done faithfully every year, but I LOVE IT! The kids are so good and cute with each other, that's the best part!

 

As always, I took too many pictures so I'll just highlight 4 of each of the kids throughout the day.

 

Aftyn

(Her 2nd Christmas, she's almost 2.) 

 

Daric

(age 4)

McKenna

(age 5)

 

Todd

(age 8)

Todd spent half the day putting Lego's together.

He was in heaven!

 

Emma

(age 9)

Tyler

(age 11)

Kaylie

(age 13)

 

Sydney

(age 14)

 

And some general family photos...

 

To top off an already great day we ended it with a great family dinner with Tami and Darrren.

 



 

A perfect family day. 

 

Merry CHRIST-mas everyone!

 



Favorite Christmas Traditions/Memories

I always start feeling a little nostalgic around the Christmas season. I love to record thoughts, feelings, memories, and traditions.

This year I asked the kids to share with me their favorite Christmas memory or tradition.

Here's what they had to say...

 

Sydney (14)- I like waking up and looking through our stockings. Then having a really good breakfast (eggs, french toast, orange juice, etc.). Then doing a nativity. After that opening presents. I like opening presents after being spiritual.

 

Kaylie (13)- The year when we had the Christmas angels come with our ages on the presents & I got the pink car. (The pink car was a model that Ken bought for Kaylie so they could have a special project to work on together).

 

Tyler (11)- My favorite Christmas tradition is to see Temple Square lights and drive around Orem and see the lights. Also I like the Nativities.(Ty, is referring to our Chirstmas tradition of getting a new nativity scene each year, we display them all together in the front room.

 

Emma (9)- My favorite holiday tradition is when we set up the manger scenes and when we go around town and out of town to see the lights.

 

Todd (8)- My favorite Christmas tradition is opening presents.

 

McKenna (5)- Putting up our decorations and celebrating Jesus birth.

 

Daric (4)- It's about Christmas because presents have things in them. I want my present to be a tractor.

 

Thanks for sharing, kids. I like all those traditions too!

 

Merry Christmas!

 

 



Mr. and Miss Generosity

Today Tyler and McKenna were both awarded the "Kids with Character" award for Generosity.

I sure and proud of these guys.

We have been bless by so many kind acts of generosity over the years by so many different people. Those many great examples have not only taught my children to receive, but have planted in their hearts a desire to give back. They are kind, and they are generous. I very much attribute those good qualities to the good people we are fortunate enough to surround ourselves with. 

Congrats, Ty and Micky-Jo. Way to go!



The Bestest, Biggest, Big-Brother Ever!

 

 

Our little Aftyn has a bit of a cold. She's miserable and sounds like a barking seal. This morning I heard her coughing and went into check on her.

When I walked in I realized that Tyler had gotten to her first,

BECAUSE HE HAD SLEPT ON HER FLOOR ALL NIGHT!

Ty was worried about his little sister so he made himself a bed next to her crib so he could be sure she was doing okay throughout the night.

 

Note to Tyler:

Ty,  I am so proud of you for caring for your siblings so well. You are one awesome big brother!

You just make my heart go pitter-patter.

 

Note to Aftyn:

Sorry your sick, baby girl. You should know that you are well taken care of. EVERYONE loves you to pieces. You brighten our home and fill us with sweet Aftyn loves. Hope you feel better soon.



A View From My Window

 

I get a perfect view of Mt. Timpanogos each time I look out my front room bay window.

I feel like I'm a pretty lucky gal to see beautiful mountains in the front of my home and a glimpse of Utah Lake from the back.

 

The lake is there if you look hard enough.

 

We sure have enjoyed some BEAUTIFUL sunsets this fall.

 

I like the view from my windows. Don't you?