Christmas Morning

I was so excited for Christmas Morning.  Sean came in around 7 and woke me up with my gift.  He bought me a sweet new laptop.  I had no idea.  I didn't think we were doing gifts this year, but once again he spoiled me.  I love it!!

The kids woke up around 7:45.  Santa generally leaves his presents in our big family room, so when they looked over the railing coming downstairs and there was nothing, they were a bit concerned.  I was laughing and told them he left everything in the quiet room this year.

When they saw everything they were a little bit confused until they started reading their letters and then it all clicked and they started squealing.  It has always been my dream to surprise them with a trip and leave right then.  I always thought that would be so exciting and it was. I had all the suitcases packed so we were literally ready to go.

We opened all the rest of the presents and then got ready for Church.  They were so excited with each gift. 

 This picture isn't the best, but it is so sweet to me.  Tayler started to read her letter from Santa and then got too choked up to finish it, so Sean stepped in and finished reading it too her.  She is such a tender heart! The kids loved their letters and each place we went on our trip they remembered what part Santa told them they would like and I would always hear "yep he was right"  haha.

 After presents were opened we hurried and got ready for 9:00 Church. 

Such a lovely bunch aren't they.. I LOVE them!

We came home, ate our Christmas breakfast, cleaned up and were OFF for Southern California!  The adventure begins...

Rylee is 7

We are back from a fantastic CHRISTMAS trip, but before I catch up on that someone in our house turned 7 yesterday.

My little Rylee Pot Pie is officially seven.  I can hardly believe it.

 She loves crossiants, so Sean went and bought her a crossiant donut for breakfast. She was so excited to go to school with all of her friends. After school, we headed straight to Tayler's soccer game then out to dinner and Ice Skating (that is what she chose to do).

 After Ice Skating we came home for cake and ice cream and presents.  Since we are having her party with family on Sunday, I opted for a store bought cake for last night and will make a cake for Sunday.

I hope she had a great day.  Rylee is my little drama queen.  I am never quite sure what she will do next, but I do know that she is very loving and she LOVES hugs from everyone more than anything else.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RY!!

p.s. thank you for all the well wishes and cards and packages.  She loved them all and giggled as she listened and read the messages to her.

END...ice skating, LATE night, Christmas Eve & Christmas

25: CHRISTMAS has ARRIVED

This is where we will be for the next 8 days.  I hope the kids are excited.  They each received new luggage, new shoes and a new jacket.  I think it will be a blast!  Wish us luck.  (Thank you to the helper ELF for the letters and banners).

Love you ALL and MERRY merry CHRISTMAS.. xoxoxo

each bag is packed.. we are ready to leave.  See you all soon!

DAY 24: CHRISTMAS EVE

Today was a very busy day, but everything was accomplished. PHEW!  We had  Christmas Eve dinner with the Dunroe side at Shelly and Mike's house. Dinner was yummy and it was fun to just hang out.  The kids frosted sugar cookies and played together and then we did a present exchange.

After a few hours, we came home to do the new PJ gifts and the kids were dying to have Sean and I open the presents they had made at school so we did.  We also talked about the birth of our Savior and the real meaning of Christmas.  I love that they are starting to understand the true meaning, at least I hope they are. 

 READY FOR BED!!

 I sure love my little rug rats.

The school gifts.  Jayson has asked me several times over the last few weeks if I wanted to open his gift yet.  He could hardly stand it.  It was the cutest plate ever.  We are going to take turns eating on it.

 Rylee wrote her own Christmas story.  It was adorable.  I will have to journal the story when I have a little more time.

DAY 23: LATE NIGHT

I LOVE this tradition!! We are going on 4 years now.  On Christmas Eve EVE, we stay up until midnight: watching movies, and eating pizza, popcorn, and LOTS and LOTS of candy. Then, we all have a big sleep-over in the living room (okay, usually I sneak into my bedroom, but it is right there so I still feel like I am a part of the group :)  This year Sean introduced my kids to Star WARS.  They all loved it.  We watched Empire Strikes Back and they can't wait to watch the rest of them. We also watched a Christmas movie and Judy Moody.  By 11:30 Rylee was out and Jayson was struggling to keep his eyes open, but he made it until midnight. It is so fun.

DAY 22: ICE SKATING

Sean had sprained his ankle earlier in the week, so he hang out with Jackson in the bleachers and watched us.  The kids LOVE ice skating and are always so afraid in the beginning and then think they are actual pro's by the end. We had a great time!

DAY 21:  STORY NIGHT

I was gone to Dinner Group this night, so Sean read the kids a new Christmas Story.

Snowman, shopping, wrapping--repeat, game night

DAY 17: SNOWMAN

The kids made these snowman. They were so cute. Since we have only had one day of snow and couldn't do it outside, we had to improvise.  Sean and I were also able to sneak out and do some last minute shopping.  It was nice and the crowds weren't too crazy.

DAY 18: Wrapping & Visit with friends

We were going to go to Temple Square this day, but Sean's back has been sore lately (on the brink of going out)... so we stayed home and wrapped some presents and then had a visit with some friends.  I love the lights on Temple Square, but I'm not a fan of being cold!  Hopefully we can still make it sometime before Christmas.

DAY 19: Name drawing & Shopping

The kids love to draw names and shop for each other.  It worked out well this year because Tayler and Jackson have each other and Rylee and Jayson drew each other.  After Sean came home from work we divided up.  I took Jayson and Tayler and he had Jacks and Rylee.  We kept bumping into each other.  I usually TRY and let them find something and pick it out all on their own-- unless of course it is way expensive or something they secretly want, not necessarily the person they are shopping for (that did happen a few times).  Jayson would say "but mom, I really think Rylee would love this"  I just had to shake my head.  At the end we were successful and the kids are excited.

DAY 20:  GAME NIGHT

We delivered a few presents to different homes and then came home for games. 

 Oh MY.. Jackson's newest thing is picking his nose and here he is in all his glory.. we laughed so hard.  What a dork!  He also had to model this headband which is his new obsession.

 Jayson had a fun Christmas party at school today but when he came home he discovered that his reindeer ears had been mixed up with another little girls and he was so sad that it said "EMILY" and not Jayson. IT was a huge deal to him.  Thankfully, he has an awesome dad who made him a whole new set.  Phew.

It is crazy to me that Christmas is at the end of this week.

Hope your preparations are going well! xoxox