A family from Travis' squadron here invited us over for Christmas dinner. It was fun to get to know them (the Dormers), and another family (with a really hard last name) better. It's amazing how you find really good people wherever you go.

They made these cute little hats that you see on Allana in the background.

My kids always are happy when there is food involved.

Micah is all decked out in new clothes from Grandma Timothy.

Okay I was realizing that I haven't posted pictures from our bathroom. I think it's because it is bordering to big and lavish and I feel guilty. Check out this jetted tub and how small Micah looks in it. We have only even used it once--really. But it was really nice. . .

I left out Micah's Christmas picture before. Does he look like he already really needs a nap?

Micah is the only one who has gotten to try this tub out. It was an emergency, and this was the closest most convenient way to clean him. Now they all want to get in. . .

Why we celebrate Christmas

One last Christmas entry, because I just can't let go of it. I love this time of year--I really hope I can do everything possible to continue the feeling of awareness and gratitude for the Savior and his great gift to us. He has given us everything and loves us so much. Noah was asking me today if we can please play Christmas music throughout the rest of the year, too. Part of me totally says YES, but I also love waiting and then playing it nonstop right after Thanksgiving (or before). And I like to pull it out sometimes when I am in a really bad mood. I don't know why it helps so much with that. Anyway, I love this clip. I could watch it over and over, so I thought I would post it.

More Christmas pictures

My stocking present was the biggest hit of all. Everyone else wants to play with it (and eat it) which means mommy is getting a few back massages. . .

Ammon with his stash

Micah's Santa present was a block that we found in the toy bin the night before and wrapped for him. Is this bad? I personally think it's great because you know at this age the love the paper and boxes the most, they don't know how to count presents, and are over stimulated within the first 10 minutes of Christmas and need to go take their morning nap instead.

Christmas in Virginia

We have been spending money like crazy with this move--I don't even know why. . . so we decided to make it a simple Christmas. We always try to make it simple and it ends up being more than we intended. But we Santa gave the kids one gift and then they got things from Grandparents and other families. But Travis, well, he had a big Christmas. He has never ever had any tools and we went and got a few fun things for him so that he can just build and fix whatever we need him to from now on. He usually doesn't ask for much, so he deserved it and by Christmas he was well started on making a desk for us.

These are the fun faces that we are working for when we fill those stockings . . .Santa gave Ammon a Diego toy, because fell in love with Diego when we were in Florida and had cable.

Kaden's only wish this Christmas was for a sled. But he was also under the impression that he would wake up to a magically white and snowy Christmas. So he got a playing mat to play with cars on, and we did go into our garage and get the sleds that we already had and the kids had forgotten about. They had lots of fun pulling their goodies around on them and putting their pillows and blankets in them and pretending to sleep.

Noah got an explorer kit, so that he can properly explore the woods behind our house. You can see outside the beginnings of a Christmas at 65 degrees. Noah went on and on about how it just didn't FEEL like CHRISTMAS--"No family is with us, it's warm outside, and it just came so fast!"

Travis grew up with the tradition of having Captain crunch on Christmas morning before going in and opening presents. Obviously the kids don't mind too much.

Christmas Eve

Our friends invited us over to do Christmas Eve with them. We have actually never had our kids act out the nativity scene. I guess I don't feel creative and was always embarrassed about stuff like that before, but doing it with them showed me how easy and simple it is, and how great the spirit of it is. I think we will definitely try to do something like that every year. I loved it! And look how cute and sweet they all are. And the kids were the perfect combination to make a good nativity scene, with Kaden's friend Ava, as Mary, and little baby Jack who laid so quietly and helped the rest of the kids feel gentle and reverent.

He's on to me

Now a quote from Noah, as he was taking out the garbage today: " What, do you think you are being sneaky or something, Mom? Throwing away candy canes?!"

I admit it, I did think I was being sneaky--he always catches me at things like that. It's a good thing he was the one that caught me and not his 2 younger brothers. . . he made his own decision the other day to sort through candy he got from school and make 3 piles--to keep, give away, and throw away. What a kid!

Just because

Just because this kid is adorable, I mean. Not to brag or anything--I really had nothing to do with it. Anyway, Micah has taken to squealing and yelling this week. If I knew an easy way to tape it and put it on here, I would. Right now it is just hilarious and cute, but I can see a day when something like that won't be so cute anymore.

I admit he in on the border of needing another haircut, but I just don't want all of his hair gone again! What to do, what to do.