Our Christmas Morning Events

 First off Merry Christmas!!!!
I love having a three year old at Christmas time. The wonder in his eyes at all the magic of Christmas is so fun. He makes Christmas so exciting! He was so excited to put out milk and cookies for Santa and to see if he would eat them - which Santa did and told me they were very yummy! He went to bed so excited and it took him awhile to actually get to sleep because he was so excited. He woke up about 8:00 and I made him cover his eyes while I took him past all the presents into our room so we could get Daddy and Conner. We had dad go check to make sure that Santa actually came and turned on some Christmas music. Joel was so excited he kept opening the door and jumping up and down. When we finally (dad took a LONG time!) got to open up the door we saw:

 

Joel and Conner were so lucky! Santa brought Joel a Thomas the Train set with trains that go around just like he asked for!

Conner got a ball pit ( I think I am going to have to have a talk with Santa about messes! ;) ) Which he loved and he opened the rest of his presents in his ball pit!

Daddy got Final Fantasy XIII which he has already started playing!

I got a set of keys

Now you might ask yourself what these keys to to, well I will tell you. They go to my very own motorcycle (scooter is probably a better word but since I'm trying to be cool like daddy we call it a motorcycle!) I was very excited about it and it is a lot of fun to ride! So thank you Santa!!!!

We had such a fun day and a day to remember our Savior. I sat there looking at my family as they interacted with each other and just felt so thankful for them. So I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and felt that special spirit of love. I have a quote in a frame on one of my shelves that says " love is what you feel at Christmas when you stop opening presents and listen." So I hope everyone stopped for just a moment and felt the love that was around as you all spent time with family and loved ones.

Merry Christmas!

Pictures that make me smile

These are just two pictures that make me smile. I love my two boys!

Day 12 to Now!

So between parties, activities, emergency room visits for croup, and watching "Bones" at night with Mike I have not kept on my 1/2 way resolve to post every day, but we have been having fun. We have watched movies, read books, played games, made neighbor gifts, delivered neighbor gifts, had playgroup, had a friend of Joel's over for Christmas activities, and today we went sledding down the hill by the soccer fields by our house. (Joel got croup on Saturday night and so going outside helps him breathe better -- so we might as well have a little fun with it!) Elise came with us and we each got to go down a couple of times! It was lots of fun, then we went home and had hot chocolate!

Day 11

On Saturday we went to Mike's Grandma's party in Blackfoot. We go to Melina's Mexican Resturant every year and reserve a huge room and eat and chat. It works great for everyone to meet since it's 1/2 way between where most people live. It was very fun to see everyone! And one of these days I will remember to bring my camera to some of these parties ;)!

Day 9 and 10

Mmmm ,Mmmm
Day 9 and 10 were spent making goodies to take to a party on Friday. Joel and I spent a good time making (and snitching) cookies, fudge and some very yummy, very addicting pretzel goodies. We put them on a plate that we put "Cookies for Santa" around the edges. Then we took them to a party on Friday night and shared them with everyone. Thank you everyone for your yummy goodies and such thoughtful gifts as well!

Christmas Countdown Day 8

Day 8 was go shopping for sibling presents. This lesson was a not so fun but important one to learn. Joel did great as we told him that he was going to pick out a present for Conner and then Conner would pick out a present for Joel. He studiously looked at all the options and picked one out. We then got to the car and  Joel melted. "But it was for me" Joel said. Well, we got to have a good talk about how it is important to pick out presents for other people and not ourselves (unless your mom - then you get to do it all!) He did good after that and hopefully it will be a good learning experience!

Christmas Countdown Day 7

Day 7 was a very long day. We went all over southeast Idaho putting movies in our movie machines and didn't get home til later than I wanted and so we spent the evening together eating Papa Murphy's pizza and watching a movie.

Christmas Countdown Day 6

On Monday we went to Grandma Great's (my grandma) house for a special family home evening. Each family is in charge of a portion of it, whether its a musical number, a poem, or a special story. This year Joel was such a big boy and sang Jingle Bells all by himself! We had practiced for a couple of weeks and would always tell me that he wouldn't do it! So, I was proud of him when he actually sang. Mike didn't get all the video because he was in shock too!

Then Mike sang It Came Upon A Midnight Clear. (He did with no practice and last minute -- but he has an absolutely beautiful voice and did wonderfully!)

(all right-- I tried uploading Mike's video and it didn't work so just trust me - he sounded beautiful!)

Christmas Countdown Day 5

Day 5: Decorate the Christmas Tree!

Christmas Countdown Day 4

Day 4 on our advent calendar was to go cut down a Christmas tree. We went early this morning in Grandpa's truck with grandma and grandpa and Elise up to the cabin. We met some other families up there that were getting their tree too. So we bundled everyone up and loaded up on the snowmobiles because there was to much snow to drive the truck. We had fun exploring around.  (Exercise group must be working because I'm tough enough to start the snowmobile by myself now!!! Wahoo! Glad it's doing something good!)  Joel had fun riding on "Grandpa's favorite snowmobile" with him and Conner had a good ride with his dad!

Mike, Joel, and I drove around on the snowmobile to locate the perfect tree while Conner stayed with grandma and grandpa til we found it. We found a beautiful Island Park tree and decided that was the one. We even brought along a tape measure to make sure (last years was slightly large! This one should fit in the living room this time!)

 

So after we found the perfect tree, Mike and Joel cut down the tree. Joel was so excited to help- it was so cute!

After we loaded up the tree in the trailer we drove back to the cabin where Conner fell asleep on Mike's lap. It must be the lullaby of the snowmobile engine ; )!

We can't wait until tomorrow when we get to decorate it!

Christmas Countdown Day 3

Today's activity was to go to the ward Christmas party and sit on Santa's lap. We had a wonderful meal of ham, potatoes, rolls, some yummy jello salads, and cake. Then we stood in a very long line while we waited to sit on Santa's lap. Joel told Santa that he wanted a "train that goes round." It was very cute. Conner just screamed in true first time on Santa's lap fashion. Pictures will come later (they have a wonderful person come and take everyone's pictures as they sit on Santa's lap -- thanks Kelly!) 

Christmas Count Down Day 2

Today's activity was to do a secret service for someone. Joel and I choose to make Daddy's bed (also a service to me since it never seems to get done) and leave him a specially made Christmas card on his pillow. Mike came home early and loved it and gave Joel the appropriate reaction. Joel kept asking if this was a good service. So, I think he got his answer.

While Joel and I were doing our secret service, Conner decided to do some to. He decided that mommy needed to clean out the Tupperware cupboard.

I loved all this "good" service. Isn't service a great way to remember Christ? I think so.

On the first day of Christmas...

So I made an advent calendar the year Joel was born based on the one that I had growing up. It is a Christmas tree with ornaments on it made out of felt. Each of these ornaments has a pocket that you can put a slip of paper in and it has an activity that you can do. I loved this growing up and wanted to continue on with it in my family. So, today we started our first activity. We made rice krispie treats and used Christmas cookie cutters to cut out shapes and then decorated them with sprinkles and M&M's and then ate them! That was the best part!!!!
Here are some pictures of our adventures on Day 1!