CHRISTMAS!

The day finally arrived! We spent Christmas Eve at the Willes' house enjoying yummy food, presents, and family. We all split around 8:00 so we could get home and start on our own family traditions. We read The Night Before Christmas, and the nativity story from the book of Luke. We then opened one gift which was matching pajamas. The next tradition we decided to try was letting the kids sleep in the same room. Of course there was lots of laughing and playing, but Brooke still managed to fall asleep amidst it all. Finally about 11:30, Mom and Dad had enough and sent the kids to their own rooms so all of us could get some sleep that night. Sierra and Jax went right to sleep after that and we made it to bed around 2:00!

Morning came bright, white, and early! Brooke was the first awake about 8:00 and Jax followed soon after at 8:15. Mom was up and ready with the video camera and sent Jax in to wake up Sierra. Like always, it was a chore to get her out of bed until I mentioned that Santa had come. She bounced right up and jumped out of bed! We got it all on camera! Then, I sent the kids in to wake up Jay. As soon as he got tired of them climbing and jumping on him, he got up. They lined up on the stairs youngest to oldest and let the fun begin.

Sierra found that Santa had left her a kitchen that talks and helps her make a recipe. She also got some fun books and movies by her stocking, as well as the quintessential orange in the toe and a lifesavers book. She got a Cinderella outfit and the Island Princess Soundtrack from Brooke, a Bella Dancerella Mat and DVD from Jax, and sweaters and a Disney Scene-It Game from Mom and Dad. She promptly made it from one toy to another and had checked everything out, including everyone else's stuff, in about 15 minutes.

Jax got some Playmobil Pirates and the GeoTrax Grand Central Station from Santa. He saw his train stuff and it was all over from there. We couldn't get him away from it to open up his other gifts! He has a one-track mind and played with that all day long. He also got books, movies, and the other fun things in his stocking. He got a Buzz Lightyear outfit and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse CD from Brooke, more GeoTrax from Sierra, and sweaters and a Scooby Doo game from Mom and Dad.

Brooke was just happy to be there chewing on bows from the presents! She just watched her brother and sister go crazy. She got the Busy, Busy Choo Choo from Santa as well as books and movies. She got a shape sorter from Jax, nursery rhyme musical book from Sierra, and sweaters and elephant giggle ball from Mom and Dad.

And Santa never forgets the pets! Cole got a new personalized collar and some treats. Dopey got a talking mirror and a new perch.

Mom and Dad weren't forgotten either. Santa brought a set of luggage which will be great for the cruise later this year. Mom got an office labeler from Brooke, clothes from Jax, gloves, scarf, and a hat from Sierra, and an iPod Nano from Jay. Dad got a St. Louis Cardinals watch from Brooke, a movie and John Grisham book from Jax, a Cardinals shadow box from Sierra that Mom made and a new Columbia coat from Mom.

We spent the rest of the day playing with our toys. Jenn and Kyle came over and spent the afternoon with us. I made a ham for dinner with apple dumplings, green salad, and white Christmas Punch while Jenn supplied us with the cheesy potatoes! It was so yummy. Mom and Dad stopped by on their way home from St. George, so we opened up all the extended family presents while they were here. I got a cute jacket from Jim, Jay got a Cardinals watch from Kyle, and the kids got Webkinz from their cousins. Overall, it was a great, tiring, fun day which we enjoyed a bunch!