Merry Christmas

 

We had some fun "RACK"ing (leaving Random Acts of Christmas Kindness). The kids earned a few dollars and decided where they wanted to leave it for people to find.

Ethan had his mind set on buying some candy with his money and handing the candy out to kids in wal-mart.  I didn't know how well it would be received but he did it and he made a lot of happy kids (I loved that he pushed himself out of his comfort zone...and mine!).  He left the leftover packs of smarties on his siblings pillows.  We also had fun doing service for each other leaving behind a "you've been rack'd" note.  We did things like making each others beds, doing each others chores, and leaving toothbrushes out with the toothpaste on and ready to go :).  We still had the regular fighting also but it was nice to add in some extra sweetness.

Off to see Christmas lights

Eliza loves taking care of babies!

They called this a box picnic :)

 






Hannah accidently dropped her half birthday cake right before delivering it.  Luckily they both just laughed and recovered what they could.

Picnics were popular in December

 

Christmas Eve sibling gift exchange

Eliza wanted her own art box just like Hannah



I love how Mary is riding to Bethlehem on a giraffe :).  Hannah was so excited to act out the nativity.  She got everything set up and found costumes for everyone.

A very handsome shepherd

Remember the part when the angel takes a turn holding baby Jesus?

Christmas Eve dinner made by my wonderful husband

Santa came!

Ethan has been dreaming up all the stuff he will build with his real tool kit.  The list includes a car and a magic wand.

The kids were excited about their stockings.  Whenever anyone asked what they got for Christmas they often just said stuff from their stocking "chapstick and a flashlight and candy".

Andrew and I have already played this game a bunch, we love it.  It is us against the game and I like playing together instead of against each other.

This kid loves seahawks!

Hannah is excited about fairy books

This game is very simple but actually pretty fun.

Ethan loves the show wild kratts and loved this creature power shirt

We got a lot of games from my brother's family and we have been having a lot of fun playing them!

 

Flying kids- Ethan with eagle wings, Hannah with butterfly wings (Eliza got a pair also but she is napping), and Andrew trying to catch the snitch on Harry Potter's broomstick. I love all their expressions.  Thanks grandma for the gift of flight.

 

Looking at the Christmas full moon.




After Daniel and I got home from watching star wars this is how we found the kids.  You can't see Hannah but she is up on the top bunk with Ethan.  Eliza still sleeps in a crib but I guess she was pretty sad so Andrew asked grandma and grandpa who were babysitting if he could get her.

 Once again...these are the happy times of the month.  All of the "too excited for Christmas craziness" is not captured :).  We had a good Christmas though and I am so grateful for my family and for our Savior.  I'm grateful for his birth, life, atonement and resurrection and I'm so grateful for the joy that the knowledge of those things brings to my life.