To start with Christmas Eve... we went over to Ben's parents house for a delicious dinner and our final advent. Grandma got out the nativity costumes and this year Jake got to be Samuel the Lamanite. In the video below, we were trying to keep things cheerful even though we were throwing paper at him, so he wouldn't get sad. haha.
After Christmas Eve festivities we headed home and put out the cookies and note for Santa (I was smart this year and had Emma and Becca write out the Santa note beforehand, so we weren't trying to do it late at night after getting home)...
The kids Christmas present to us was sleeping in till 7! I think they would have slept longer even, but my eyes popped open just after 7am and everyone was still asleep... it was so weird! My kids are normally all awake at 6am, so it was like the twilight zone to have everyone still sleeping at 7 on Christmas morning. haha. I nudged Ben and we opened the kids door and they finally woke up and we started the fun. :) We all emptied our stockings first and the kids just loved it... You may not have heard but Santa recently started couponing... and my sources tell me each of our kiddos stockings were filled for about 2 dollars a piece! Most of it was all free... woot! Christmas peeps, gummy bears, toblerone, sweet tarts, nail polish, activity pads, snickers nutcrackers, little flashlights, stickers, etc. Props to Santa! :D
The day before Ben and I made these overnight cinnamon rolls. It was great to have such a delicious breakfast with very little effort on Christmas morning - I think we've found a new tradition!
Overall, we were greatly blessed this year for Christmas... I was proud to have not used any credit this year for gifts and we were also spoiled by family too - thanks to my parents, grandparents, and my aunt who sent us generous amounts of gift money, which really supplemented our Christmas. We feel so loved!
After our morning of gifts, breakfast, and some playtime, we quickly got ready and headed to the Lee's ward - Uncle Ben spoke in Sacrament and it was great to all be together. Then we met up at Ben's parents home for a yummy lunch and gift exchange - once again, we were really spoiled...
The best gift of all might be having these 3 sweet babies in the family!
After getting back home that evening, we did a few quick rounds of Dance Central... Ben and Emma have some sweet moves.. haha...
I took this video the day after Christmas of the girls dancing - they get really into it - we are really loving all the fun Kinect games... I was "skiing" with the girls this evening, and I really am worn out from it - it's surprisingly good exercise!
This is random, but I got these pictures of Adam and Emma with Santa while at the airport waiting for their flight to Washington D.C. - never seen such an enthusiastic Santa! haha...
Your really cranking out the blogs lately! Way to go.
ReplyDeleteI really like Jacobs new bike and that Kinect game looks really fun. It's sure a good way to give the kids some exercise.
Congrats on the excellent couponing! That's really good.
It's a lot of work caring for so many young people and you and Ben are doing great.
You're or your. I do that a lot. Sheesh.
ReplyDeleteI actually saved this post for future reference on my google reader. I love the gender-neutral matching jammies, Emma's baking set (!!!), and how Santa brought each kid's presents in a special box. Oh, yeah, and the overnight cinnamon rolls. :)
ReplyDeleteThat Santa makes me chuckle :) Merry Christmas Susan... or a happy new year!
ReplyDeleteI"ve been away. Clarie is huge! So fun to see all the latest. What a thrifty couponing Santa you have. Awesome;)
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