Christmas 2017

I had to include a few pictures from before Christmas that showcase a little bit of our Christmas prep.

I watched Mia for Courtney so she could help in Natalie's class during the holiday party. So I took the kids to open gym and they had so much fun! I always feel like a rock star mom when I take them there.

Parker Steven is such a good big brother. He is number one on taking care of everyone's needs. He loves to help me with the baby. He's a life saver when I'm trying to get dinner on the table and the baby needs a snuggle.

Sometimes I execute bedtime perfectly (because I'm back to doing it alone again) and they kids can all sit for a minute and watch a show together in total peace and silence.

Sleeping beauty. There are never enough sleeping baby pictures.  She is perfection.

This year, we had to hide all of the Christmas gifts in the guest room so that they could be hidden from little hands and eyes.  I managed to keep all of their presents separated and wrapped them each in different paper. 

Baby eyelashes. So dreamy.

The other day, before the cousin gift exchange, I had one final day to take Parker to the Dollar Store to pick out gifts for everyone. I waited until the last possible moment because I did NOT want to take all of the kids to go and do this. But I was forced to do it. It all started out ok. We ran into the Bishop's family (mom and 8  kids) and I thought, "Hey, if SHE can do this with TWICE as many kids as me, I can do it too!" I had Ella strapped to me, Ray and Jack in the stroller, and told Parker he had 10 minutes to pick out everyone's gifts. We did great up until check out. The line literally took 20 minutes, it was ridiculous. But even during all of that, the kids were great! It wasn't until I had my card in the reader... Ray and Jack were trying to pull balloons off somewhere and Parker was taking them away from them (making them scream) People were staring at me... ok glaring at me. In a rush to get out of there, I pulled my card out too soon and froze the entire computer system. I was only spending $16 so I tried to give the lady cash but nothing was working. I had to just stand there. After being in line for a half an hour there was no way I was just going to leave. But I was sweating profusely, my kids were now screaming uncontrollably, I felt like such a terrible mom knowing this was NOT happening with the Bishop's family on the next aisle over. The lady behind me rudely stepped around me and made some mean comment that I have chosen to forget. We finally got out of there literally kicking and screaming. I shoved Ray in her seat and put Jack on time out on the curb while I quickly loaded the bags and stroller. I was fuming. Jack was hungry and tired and NOT settling down like he should while on time out. I strapped everyone into their seats and yelled at everyone to BE QUIET. Which didn't work. They just kept talking and screaming. Yes, they were screaming, "Sorry mommy!" But still. Just be quiet guys! I had to pull over and put Jack on time out again. Probably most for my sanity. It was horrible. But we made it home. Ate lunch. Took naps. And wrapped gifts. Next year I will remember to take Parker ALONE to the Dollar Store and do it a month in advance. Pro Tip: the Dollar Store is insanely crowded the weekend before Christmas.

Christmas pedicures! After I saw that the Lisa, Abby, and Emily made a tradition of doing this, I wanted to do the same with my girls! This year, everyone wanted in on the spa time. ha ha It's fun to have pretty nails for Christmas!

Christmas Eve fell on a Sunday which is the PERFECT way to spend the day. Celebrating the birth and life of Jesus is what Christmas is all about and what a privileged it is to be able to attend church, partake of the sacrament, and sing praises to our Lord and King. Tanner and I sang in the ward choir so we left the kids in the nursery with Parker. I just held Ella which was so special and fun for me. I love singing in the choir! We combined with the other ward and had church at 9.

When we came home, I prepared a Christmas turkey feast and my parents came over to share it with us!

Everything turned out perfectly and we enjoyed these delicious desserts brought over by Tanner's old DON, Ricky.

Jack was so snuggly. He just wanted to be held. I think he was coming down with something. But it was cute to see him climb up on Bebo's lap.

We had a little gift exchange with my parents and to be completely honest, I could have put away ALL of those presents hidden away in the green room. These were the favorite gifts of Christmas this year. Parker got a super cool RC car, Ray got a Mr. Potato Head, and Jack got magic tracks which everyone loves!

I love my parents so much and feel so blessed to have them close enough to share these special times with them. I'm honored that they would come to our house for Christmas Eve dinner!!!

After they left, Tanner took the kids swimming and we all cleaned up. Then it was time for baths and special Christmas jammies! Tanner lit the fire for the very first time (it's been way too hot for a fire) and read the kids The Night Before Christmas and Luke 2. We set out cookies and milk for Santa and carrots for the reindeer. We said prayers and tucked the kids into bed. Then Parker helped us bring out all the hidden presents and place them under the tree. Spectacular! How fun to go to bed that night knowing we'd executed such a perfect Christmas Eve!

Christmas morning came dark and early. 6:30am. It's not surprising but it still stings. We were able to see a beautiful sunrise! Ella was no where near ready to wake up so she snoozed while we all ran downstairs to see what Santa brought. We have a tradition of wrapping up the hallway so the kids can't sneak out and ruin the surprise. Parker loves to karate chop it down. They giggled and squealed all the way down the stairs and were delighted with what they found! Parker wasn't quite sure what he wanted but Santa knew! He got him a kit to build his very own computer and do coding. Rayleigh and Jack both got tablets and Ella got an IOU. 

And our flamingo flew home! Santa must have known we wanted to swim on Christmas Day! Unlike last year, we were don't unwrapping by 8:30. It was perfect. Each kid was happy with what they got. I was happy too because I bought all my own gifts. Tanner's too. Tanner did absolutely nothing. He didn't buy or wrap a single thing. BUT, he PAID for it all! So we all worked together to make Christmas morning a success. We heated the pool (not that it needed it, it's been SO hot) and went swimming, ate left overs, and played with new toys all day! It was the best!

I surprised Tanner with arranging for him to walk at BUY's commencement ceremonies this Spring. After he graduated, he had to skip off to Grad school and wasn't able to participate in all the pomp and circumstance! He was so happy, he cried. Winnnnn!!!!!

Happy Santa Baby

We had a fantastic, sunny afternoon swimming and playing together! Ella got an Otterroo which I know looks like a torture device but I promise it's legit and she loves it! Parker got glow stick light saber pool toys which were totally fun to play with at night!

Santa doesn't need to bring us anything next year. I think we're good. :-)