Christmas Day!

We had a wonderful Christmas day with each other and with our families. We got to talk to Uncle David in Brazil and that was a highlight! The kids were spoiled rotten and had lots of fun opening all their gifts!

Before we went downstairs to see what Santa left, we read the Christmas story from the Bible and had family prayer. They kids were so excited, they could hardly sit still through all of that.

 Santa left scooters and piggy banks!

Tessa was so happy to get her princess piggy bank!

 Adam was thrilled to get more cars!

 Unloading their stocking loot

 From Mommy and Daddy, Tessa got a toy cash register, a baby doll, and a princess key board.

 Adam got some new legos, a pirate ship, and a race track. When he opened the race track he said, "Awesome, awesome, awesome, awesome, awesome!!!" He was a happy boy!

 Some family presents to share

 Daddy got a sound bar for the tv!

 Mommy got a griddle for lots of pancake making!

We spent the afternoon at Ma and Pa's house and then the evening at Mamma and Bampa's house. We are so thankful to live so close to both families! We are sad it is all over, but grateful that we had such a merry Christmas! 

Christmas Eve

We had a wonderful Christmas! Christmas Eve was spent with the Nielson crew and then we got to come home and have some time together as a family which was really nice! The kids were so excited to get ready for Santa, but both were really good at reminding each other of the true meaning of Christmas. As a family, we are so thankful for our Savior and for His sacrifice, making it possible for our family to be together forever!

 Ellie and Tessa are kindred spirits....

Adam, Ellie, Roxy, Tessa, and Zeke

 Adam sang "Baby In a Manger" for everyone and then the grand kids led us all in a few Christmas carols

 Opening some new coloring books from Mamma and Bampa

 When we got home, the kids got to open their new Christmas pajama's and their Christmas Eve books from Mom and Dad.

 Daddy got a book on business and Mommy got a book and motherhood

 Adam was so thrilled with his book and we spent a good 20 minutes discussing all of the skyscrapers he found throughout it. He was thrilled to find out earlier in the evening that Big Uncle Ben has been inside the Sears Tower, the Chrysler Building, and even the Twin Towers!

 The kids got some yummy treats and milk ready for Santa and some carrots for the reindeer. Tessa made sure Rudolph had 2 carrots.

 At school, Adam made magic reindeer food that sparkled so the reindeer would see our house. Both kids took turns spreading it on the lawn.

 They went to bed and to sleep SO fast! When we told them to get ready for family prayer before bed, Tessa jumped to her knees, folded her arms, closed her eyes, and said as fast as she could, "Heavenly Father, thank thee for this day. Thank the for our blessings. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen." Then she ran to her bed and covered herself up. Adam was still brushing his teeth during all of that, so we made her come back out and have a "real" family prayer with us. 

In his bedtime prayers, Adam has been so good to remember to ask Heavenly Father to help him remember  that Jesus was born even when Christmas is over. He has slept in his Santa hat every night this month. I will be sad to pack it away in a couple of days.

Adam the Elf

 A couple of weeks ago we find out that Adam's teacher was going to have an Elf Party the last day of school before Christmas break. The kids were told they could dress up for it if they would like. Adam has a very nice Aunt Dee who made him an entire elf costume for the party! He loved it and looked super cute! Mrs. Hales said it was the cutest thing she had seen!

 Adam came home with a present from Mrs. Hales and he couldn't wait to open it! 

More Christmas Fun!

We have been having lots of fun counting down the days until Christmas! This is such a fun time of the year and we have been trying to take advantage of it! Despite Mommy getting the flu, we have been able to keep up with our activities pretty well. The pictures are a bit out of order, but here is an idea of what we have been up to.

 ~We made reindeer cookies~

~We had lots of fun with our Nielson family up at Spring Haven~ 

 Adam and Ellie

 ~The kids were so excited about their new camping chairs from Aunt Jan and Uncle Lynn~

~Every night before bed we have been reading Christmas stories~

~The kids wrote their letters to Santa and left them in their stockings for Christopher to deliver ~

 ~Adam wrote his entire letter all by himself!~

~We went to the mall to visit someone very special! They were both giggling with excitement!~

~Each year we make a new ornament for the Christmas tree. This year they both painted snowflakes~

Sunday Snapshot

 Today was Tessa's last day in the Nursery at church. I can't believe our baby is so big! She is SO excited to go to Primary with Adam and be a Sunbeam. When I picked her up from Nursery today she yelled, "Now I'm a Sunbeam!!" 

Adam sang in Sacrament meeting today with his Children's Choir. They sang "Baby In A Manger" and they did a beautiful job.