On Christmas

Merry Christmas 2012!  It was a wonderful day, just wonderful.  We got everything all set up and ready by 10:45 PM, which was great. We felt so blessed to have so much to offer our kids this year, and to other family and friends as well.  We are so blessed!

before santa came

After Santa Came...

...

...finally, Christmas morning!

Fiora putting the last advent ornament on the tree

This kids had a breakfast picnic downstairs and we opened the service box and had family prayer before presents.

The girls got nice new bikes so we can take advantage of the awesome trail we have right below our house.

They loved their bikes

Weston got an archery set.

and target

Opening the stockings!

photo album, movie, accessories, candy, gum, socks, etc.

Weston got a watch and legos

Jared got snacks and a love note from me

trying out weston's bow

Presents! Sav got gift cards to Old Navy, Payless, and Ross

She was very excited, she also got a canvas print of the picture holly took in October

Fiora got books, and was so happy she started crying

I thought something was wrong at first, but she was just overwhelmed with joy.  She loves reading

Weston got his Ninjagos set

I had some bonus cards to my favorite restaurants and snacks in my stocking

Fiora got lots of books, the kids all got converse shoes from Dad as well

Fiora cried lots of tears, she is such an angel

We received a wonderful gift basket from Aaron and Amy, Monson's Biography on CD, $30 to cinemark! and pie fillings

The Wilkinsons left us gifts, they generously gave us a LDS Christmas songbook, "Matched" and nightlights

Grandpa Neil and Grandma Bonne visited us and showered us with gifts! Thank you!

Weston opened his Ninjagos right away, he got to work building his ship, he hated being torn away to go visit the Barretts

Mehki, Sylvan, and Kayden Nielson, all got shoes from us, not too exciting but very practical. :)

We had Holly and Bill and kids for Christmas, we gave them the shoe shelf/seat furniture piece pictured with shoes for all the kids

Holly opening little Penelope's shoes

My kids got some gifts from Grandma and pa Barrett too, so much love !

Savanna being grateful for her gift from grandma

Enjoying the head massager

We gave grandpa and grandma a gift card to a hotel of their choice and a head massager

 

The head massager was a hit

Kynsie and Penelope

Opening my awesome gift from Jesse and Kelsy,

a blazer, leather jacket, skinny pants, and nuskin vitamins! You guys are the best!

My brother and his sweet wife Kelsy

My parents gave me a dress and some beautiful books, and Grandma Rappleye gave us a Carrabbas gift card.  We enjoyed soup and a nice turkey for Christmas dinner at the Barretts, and enjoyed talking to our missionary Karli Sue for a while.  It took us a lot of patience to figure out how to Skype her, but once we figured it out it was wonderful.  We miss you Karli!

We had a white Christmas!

We got a lot of Christmas cards this year, I love that!

Highlights of this Christmas season for me included the Wilkinsons' visit, receiving a full on dinner on our doorstep from my sweet friend and running partner Wendy Heim, Singing carols with the extended Barrett and Rappleye families the evening of the 23rd, the Schauers Progressive Dinner on Christmas Eve, seeing the excitement on my kids' faces when they were opening gifts on Christmas morning, telling one person every day until Christmas that the Lord loves them, and Jared's booking a cruise to Alaska for just the two of us in May. The cruise was our gift to each other, and I'm so excited and look forward to an excursion with my friend and husband Jared.  Remember, the Lord Loves You! :)