Christmas Day 2011

Our Christmas morning began when the boys woke up around 7:20. I was glad they actually slept in. Yes, 7:20 is sleeping in at our house. We headed down stairs and were happy to see that Santa came (despite some bad behaviors from a certain 4 year old on Christmas eve). We emptied our stockings and loved the little gifts Santa had left in them. After our stockings were empty we got ready and then ate our breakfast of oatmeal and caramel rolls. It was pretty yummy. After that we finished getting ready and headed out to church for Sacrament Mtg. The meeting was nice and we got to sing some of my favorite Christmas songs. After church we headed home to open presents.

Its nice to have Christmas pictures with everyone actually dressed.

Cayden got to open the first gift. He was happy to get something he'd been wanting for a LONG time.

Jacob opened the next present. He was excited to unwrap something that he had discovered in my room a few days earlier. Little Stinker!

Jared got a lot of camping gear in preparation for his winter camp out.

We had quite the Christmas mess. ;)

After we finished opening all the new toys we let the boys play for a bit. They had fun with their new toys but Jared and I just kept wondering where everything was going to fit.

After the boys played for a bit we headed over to my mom and dad's house. Since its all big kids in their house they waited for us to get there before they opened presents. Cayden and Jacob loved being able to open more gifts and loved helping to pass out gifts to everyone. Once presents were all opened we played some more and then had dinner. The dinner was delicious and it was nice to sit and spend time with everyone.

After dinner we busted out the BINGO game. It isn't Christmas without BINGO. We always have fun. This year Cayden decided he was going to help Jared call. It got confusing at times when he wasn't really sure what the ball said. But everyone was patient and soon he got bored and wanted to go watch Phineas and Ferb. So while we finished up BINGO the boys could be found watching Phineas and Ferb (which is quite popular in our home.)

All in all we had a WONDERFUL Christmas. The day was perfect. It didn't go by too fast and everyone had a positive attitude. The boys got along and shared their new toys happily. Love was all around. And most of all we were able to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas.

Hope your Christmas was as wonderful as ours. ;)

~Love TO All~

P.S. Thanks to my big brother Mikey for letting me use his computer to blog since ours is still under the weather.

Christmas Love

I just love our Christmas traditions. I love playing BINGO for fun. I love shopping for other people and wondering if they are going to love their gift as much as I hope they do. I love the feeling of giving and love that is all over the place. I love spending time with Family. I love reading of the birth of Christ on Christmas Eve and then singing carols with my family. There is just such a feeling that is so indescribable.

As we were driving to my parents house on Christmas Eve Jared reached over and held my hand. I thought my heart was going to beat out my chest when I said the simple words "I love you" to him. Its really amazing how much feelings can be amplified at this time of year.

Not only is my love for my family amplified but so is my love for my Savior. I teased my little brother for getting teary eyed while he sung Christmas songs. However, as I sat in church singing the words of Away in a Manger "Bless all the dear children in thy tender care" I couldn't help but cry. At the time I thought of Him protecting and blessing my sweet little boys but the more I thought about it I realized that that phrase encompasses ALL of Heavenly Father's children.

I am so thankful that our family is continually blessed and watched over. I know the Lord knows us and has a plan for us. I am so thankful for my knowledge and testimony of the gospel and the joy that it brings into my life. I am thankful that I chose to be sealed in the temple to someone as amazing as Jared.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and felt as much love as I did.

~Love To ALL~

P.S. as soon as we get out computer up and running I'll post Christmas pictures ;)