Christmas Eve and Christmas 2010

Once again we celebrated Christmas on the 24th of December because of Eric's work schedule. I still liked doing it this way. This was our first Christmas with our daughter Emily. We had christmas eve on the night of December 23rd. The most memorable part of the evening was when we were sitting at Christmas Eve Dinner with Eric, Joey, Ben, Kris, Emily, Jill, Sara, Rose, Riley and Sadie Dog who was hiding under the table; and we were asked to sing a Christmas song. We started singing "Away in a Manager" and Benjamin started conducting us. He told mom to start first, then dad started in. Then we had to stop and Jill and Sara had to sing and then he wanted mom and dad to sing and he said all four sing together. It was so cute. Joey liked serenading everyone with Frosty the Snowman. We then opened Christmas eve presents and the kids enjoyed the time we spent doing that. The next morning mom and dad woke the kids up at 5:30 a.m. and they were excited to see all of the presents. This year we had planned on spending all day opening presents like we did last year. However, this year was different. Ben wanted to open presents, pile them and then go back and play with them. So this is what Joey then decided that he wanted too. So this is what we did. We were finished by 830 am. Emily really enjoyed the wrapping paper mingled with toys. We kind of hung out the rest of the morning and then dad laid down about 1:00 p.m. because he had to work graves that night. It was once again another success. The best part is we didn't spend full price on any of the items. Most of it was bought clearance and coupons. This was a great Christmas and I hope the children will remember it.

Christmas Eve, opening Jammies. Benjamin always makes everything fun with how excited he gets.


Santa Came.

Santa ate the cookies and the reindeer ate the carrots.



Emily and her new Rapunzel doll from the movie "Tangled".






I love her blue eyes in this picture, so sad they won't last.

Joey's Christmas Presents.

Ben's christmas presents.

Emily Christmas Presents

12-19-2010

This week has been a fun filled week. These are the weeks that make the holiday's worth it. The kids enjoyed spending time with dad on his day off. We attended a ward cookie exchange. The boys were so excited to play with the other kids and to eat cookies. At home we also made our own cookies and delivered them singing jingle bells. One of our neighbors dropped off a snow man kit for us. It was perfect because all week long it was in the upper 50's and 60's and then they dropped it off and the next morning we woke up to snow. The boys were singing Frosty the Snowman as they made them, with the help from mom and dad. Joey even made his own snowman all by himself (notice the little baby one in the right hand corner).
One night we went to a friends house and had a fun time hanging out with some families we hadn't hung out with before. We played games, and decorated cookies. Another night was the ward christmas party. Ben sang a song with the primary for the nativity scene. We sent Joey up as well because I thought they were watching not participating. But they both did good. Joey actually next to Ben. Eric said at one point that Joey was being the good influence because Ben stood up on the stage and Joey grabbed his arm and told him to sit down. At the party Ben wanted to know why he had to see Santa again. But when he saw Santa again he was happy because he was able to describe to him in great detail the type of dragon he wants for Christmas. Today the kids wore their new clothes to church for Christmas. I think the boys look handsome, and miss Emily is so beautiful, but I might be biased. It has been a fun week!

Christmas Boat Parade 12-11-10

We attended the Christmas Boat Parade on the Columbia River in Richland, WA. It was a snowy, icy day so up until about 6 p.m. I decided we weren't going. Then I spoke with Eric on his way to work and he said that the roads were decent and that he thought we should go. So I rounded up Ben, Joey and Emily. My neice Rose came along too. (Big Help). We drove to Richland (10 minutes) and went to the community center. We were able to look at the train display that the boys really enjoyed. We then ventured out into the weather. It wasn't too cold, but it was slushy. We got to the side of the river and they had a booth for Santa set up. We were 3rd in line and got their just in time before a group of people got in line. Ben was first and he was kind of shy with Santa but Santa asked him what he wanted, dragon toys, and he opened right up. Santa almost couldn't get him off his lap. Joey was next and he told Santa he wanted a Cars set, yes he said set. He didn't want to sit on Santa's lap for too long. Suprisingly Emily went to Santa without any problems. I even have a picture of her smiling. Afterwards we stood by the fire pit and warmed up, and then the boats started to arrive. The boys were so excited! They especially like the boat that was decorated like a car, and the other one decorated like a dragon. Well Joey said he was cold, and Rose was experiencing her own almost frost bite, so we decided to go. We then drove to McDonalds to get Shakes, yes you heard me right, cold, yummy, shakes! We drove home and two kids fell asleep on the way home, and that made it for an even better night! I love having kids that I can spend time with and make memories.