Christmas Day!

Finally, Christmas day!! After all the decorating, shopping, baking, wrapping, and more wrapping it finally came! Aubrey and Carson followed our rule of staying in their room until the clock starts with a 7, so at 7:01 they were in waking us up (actually we were already awake waiting)! Charlotte was still asleep, so we thought we'd let the kids open their presents from Santa and their stockings before we got her up. However, after a few minutes of hearing the excitement, she was ready to join the fun! It was a present-opening frenzy for an hour or two. Then we took a break to eat breakfast and sing Happy Birthday to Jesus. Then back to more presents and PLAYING!! Grandma Lyn and Grandpa Tom even made a surprise visit on their way to the airport!

Christmas present highlights: Aubrey had asked for a "twin doll" which Santa was able to deliver. The brown hair, blue eyed doll actually came with glasses. So wouldn't you know it, Santa brought Aubrey her own pair of "fashion" glasses to match! (She has been wearing them almost every day since Christmas!!) Her new doll Dana also got a new bed to sleep in and she and Aubrey got a couple matching outfits and pajamas.  It was definitely a Lego Christmas for Carson. He got a new Lego table and LOTS of Legos to build on it. He also got a Star Wars "walker" that he's been pretty excited about. Charlie got the Little People barn and some cute boots and shoes she's been needing. And for the "family gift" Santa brought a new little table that has 4 chairs. (Aubrey and Carson have been very concerned about how Charlotte was going to fit at our current little table with only 2 chairs!) It was a great Christmas morning.

We then headed over to my mom's (a little earlier this year). We had a late lunch/early dinner and then opened MORE presents! Charlotte and Carson took naps while the rest of us played. My mom and Randy were heading out to Utah that night, so we actually made it home before dark. The kids were excited to get home to their new toys and play for a bit before bedtime.

Christmas day always seems to go so quickly. (Brian actually mocks me because I always get a little sad on Christmas Eve that soon Christmas will be here and gone!) We had a wonderful day though and again got to enjoy Christmas through the excitement of our children. We got to spend the day with parts of our families and talk to most of the parts that aren't as close. We got to take some time to remember and celebrate Jesus, and to give thanks for ALL the wonderful blessings we have. 2011 has been an exciting year for our family and we are so grateful for all the good things and the lessons we've learned. Bring on 2012!!