Christmas 2012

This year was very unusual. Lucas woke up at 5:30 to go to the bathroom and I quickly rushed him back to bed. At 7:30 he woke up again and chilled in our room till everyone else got up. No one got up! I had to wake the girls. Even Mason, who is our early riser, was still asleep. I couldn't believe it.

The kids had to wait until I pulled their hair out of their faces and had to brush their teeth before they could come down. Juliet woke up with her hair from the night before, so that worked out because she was a complete sour puss all morning. Again, unusual.

Instead of having a free for all with the presents, we took our time.



Santa left giant coloring books and art supplies out for the kids to play with.



He also filled their stockings to the brim.



Each kid opened  a gift, and then played with each item.



Juliet was so fussy, and mad. Until she opened "oomi-oomi-zoomi"



Our kids love toys. They love to play and dress up. I am so glad they haven't asked for anything electronic {yet}

Dress Ups were huge this year. Each kid got 3 a piece.

  Merida above and a goldfish costume below.

Lucas was SO excited to get an EMT costume. He just loves rescue heroes.
I love to find deals the day after Halloween! :D





 Each girl wanted a "Lalalalalalalalala loopsy baby"
Scarlett was happy to get Specs. She has orange hair!

Lucas made this at school. He was so proud of it. :)

Thanks Grandma and Grandpa Horn!



Bridget wanted this when we were in California.



It is so cute!
I love this picture because Juliet and Scarlett were in the toboggan having a grand old time...
no presents, just playing.

This year we had the kids swap with each other.
We gave them each a dollar amount and on one of our dates this month, we let them each pick out something for their sibling.

It was a huge hit. They each really thought about what their sibling wanted and then I taught them how to wrap a gift properly.  They were SO excited to give the gifts to each other.  After each of them opened their gifts, they hugged each other and said thank you and were so great.

It was nice to see the joy and thoughtfulness that they had for each other.
It really is fun to shop for someone else, isn't it?

After the kid swaps, it was time to open Auntie Stef's presents.

 It was instruments for the Wii.
Instruments?
That is weird mom - Lucas
Oh, you should open this one then - Mom

Yay!
Wii Band Hero!
The kids were SO EXCITED!

 After presents, the kids got to play while I made Breakfast.

After Breakfast, it was stocking time!

The girls each got mirrors and Juliet did not know what to do with it.

We set up the toys and let the kids play!

Then we let the kids go outside.
We got a White Christmas, and the kids got sleds, so...

They went Witte Sledding. Nathan pushed them with a pvc pipe. Haha

We cleaned the whole house top to bottom.
We put everything away (christmas) and ordered our Chinese Feast from our FAVORITE restaurant.

 The best part of our dinner...

no dishes and a clean kitchen!

After dinner we played a new game...

Listening to the kids give us clues was the best part.

We laughed all night.

We tucked the kids in bed and went right to sleep.

It was a great Christmas filled with love and laughter.

I only had to get on the kids once to slow down and enjoy the moment.

I felt like we did a great job staying within our plan, and although our kids received a lot of gifts, we didn't go overboard or get them everything they wanted. I am glad we didn't go crazy or get caught up in the "stuff."  

I am so grateful for our little family and especially for Nathan, who works hard to provide for each of us.
I am happy that the year is over, and that our kids were healthy for the most of it.
I am grateful for the new friendships we have made, and for getting closer to existing friends.
I have learned a lot this year, and my kids have grown so much.

Here's to a great new year!