Christmas Church

I really liked having Christmas on a Sunday this year. It really helped to keep the focus of the day on Christ. Our ward is legendary for putting on amazing Christmas musical productions during the sacrament meeting and I heard that this year was particularly wonderful. Quincy and I elected to stay home, however, because she was still under the weather.

Christmas Morning

I'm not going to lie, Christmas morning was a little rough. Quincy had been up ALL night throwing up. I ended up "sleeping" with her and waking up every 1/2 hour to clean her up. We did 4 loads of laundry that night. I literally did not sleep. Not fun. But these kiddos, unaware of it all, woke up bright and early to see what Santa had brought them. This is Fisher's reaction to the Transformer he found in his stocking. He said, "Go BYU" as he made this gesture. Apparently, that is the truest expression of delight. He is hilarious.I take a bajillion photos of my kids opening their presents every year and I still don't know why. Who wants of picture of themselves opening every single present? Anyway, these are just a few of the best.

Patiently Waiting

Because we like to subject our kids to torture of unimagineable degree, we make our kids wait to open their Christmas presents until my parents arrive on Christmas morning. Here they are waiting excitedly.

The Booby Trap

When my husband and his siblings were growing up in this very house, their parents planned elaborate booby traps every Christmas Eve that prevented them from getting to their presents. The tradition lives on in our family. This year we put saran wrap between the banisters and wrapped string down all the stairs. Finally we put all of air mattresses on the lower stairs. And by "we," I mean Dan, of course. We were surprised at the ease with which they overcame this booby trap the next morning, however. Clearly, their skills are improving with age. It was the first year in our parenthood that we didn't have to wake our kids up Christmas morning!

Christmas Eve II

When we got home from Christmas Eve Dinner at my parents' house, Wayne and Jody invited us in to open our presents from them. First, Grandpa sang the kids a cute little Christmas song on the guitar.

Quincy got this wonderful tiara, boa, and tutu set truly fit for the princess she is. They also all got pillow pets and Taylor got some true blue Cougar attire.

Here they are all excitedly opening the first presents of the season!

Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve this year, we were lucky enough to combine our parents for a wonderful dinner at my parents' house. We had the traditional ham and potatoes. It was the first year we didn't have my Papa Ace with us in as long as I can remember, so it was a little sad. But, it was fun to have a nice meal with my kids and all four of their grandparents.

Following dinner, the girls each played a couple Christmas songs on the piano and then we all sang Christmas carols (we're not big singers, but it's a tradition that Jeffrey insists upon!) Finally, we concluded with a very humble attempt at re-enacting the Nativity. A very simple and perfect evening.

Adieu

It is now 12:45 am. I am officially at my wit's end with my impossibly slow computer, that has succumbed to snail-pace status thanks to a wonderfully protective filter I installed to protect my children from the wicked wiles of the media. But, I can no longer bear it. So, until I receive another spark of energy to continue on my journey to update this blog, I bid you farewell. It may be days, or months, or years. But I will return.