Have a holly jolly Christmas

These three did!

Just dreaming what would be under the tree when they woke up.

Even though Corbin does not really "believe", he is still a great sport to make it fun for the younger boys.

We left Santa a cookie and Corbs wrote a nice letter.

Having a hard time reading it? He was in a huge hurry...

Merry Christmas

Santa Clause these Cookies

are for you. Corbin

Taylor and Levi

was trying to be good.

Then off to bed.

In the morning I wasn't sure how tired we would be so we left the boys a scavenger hunt to find their stockings. It wasn't planned super well, but it would do.

However, we were up an hour before Corbin and Taylor.

In my family stockings were opened last, it was so exciting to have opened all our presents and then realize we still had our stockings to open. In Justin's family they were opened first, that way if the kids woke up super early, they could go open their stockings and play with the toys in there until mom and dad woke up. Listening to Justin talk about how exciting it was to wake up at 5:00 and go downstairs and play with his little toy car forever made me excited to carry on that tradition.

Breakfast came next.

This really was a Christmas Tree Cinnamon Roll, however Santa got to it before I could.

And the tradition carries on from my family. Omelets. (with Orange Juice)

Since we had breakfast first (we are just mean) Presents weren't open until 9:00.

Levi's favorite gift. He even swiped his brothers teddy grahams.

We didn't finish opening presents until 11:00.

and it's not because they got alot

They opened, then played, opened, then built

Thanks to daddy!

oh, and they are playing on my gift from Justin. (now we can finally prop up our feet and relax)

That's what Christmas Morning was like at our house.

And according to the boys,

It was the Best Christmas Ever!

And they hope they will get a Christmas like this again.

How was your morning?

Have yourself a merry little Christmas

visions of sugar plums

Plenty of sugar this month!

Decorating gingerbread houses with the McCammons.

Rudolph lollipops!

Mini gingerbread houses!

Happy Birthday baby cakes

5 Years Ago

This was our best Christmas Gift

Taylor was the happiest baby we had ever seen. From a very early age anytime someone would look at him this is what they got back...

We loved that big tooth smile when you were 1 years old.

We loved how you had such a great love for horsies when you were 2 years old.

We loved your sweet innocence when you were 3 years old.

We loved your obsession with superheroes when you were 4 years old.

And now you are 5 years old!

We love every. single. day. that we get to spend with you.

You have grown up a ton this year. You are a very creative child. You take your time on something and try to do it just right the first time. You have learned to spell your name and ride your bike without training wheels. To sum up what you love this year it would be LEGOS. Hours and hours of legos.

We love you Taylor, you are the best second child we could ever ask for! Heavenly Father knew we needed a child just like you in our lives.

Here are some reasons why we love you:

Levi - "He plays bidermaaaaaaannnn"!

Corbin - "I love Taylor because he plays friend with me when I come home from school."

Mommy - "I love Taylor because when I ask him to help me with something, he does it right away. I love Taylor's smile and happy eyes."

Daddy - "I love Taylor because he plays with his brothers so well and because he helps his mom around the house and I love him because he gives me the I love you signal all the time"

Frosty The Snowman

was a happy, jolly soul.

All he needs is a head,

A body,

A very special hat,

two eyes made out of coal,

and then you have a very happy Frosty friend.

And two very happy boys!

Santa Clause is coming to town

I think they both need to ask Santa for some new pants...

Home for the Holidays

I love being home.

The Christmas tree is up, the nativity is set, the stockings are hung, and the music is on full blast (and mainly coming from three little boys).

Let the countdown begin.

This little guy, standing on a pillow trying to stretch as far as he can to get a candy cane, makes me happy.

The boys love this Nativity. You can tell how much they have been played with these past few years. Poor Joseph has no eyes.

The stockings were hung by the T.V. with care.

Our little star of Bethlehem. Day 8.

Day 25 it will reach Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus.

The boys made their own countdowns. Sometimes they try to cut off a few in a day hoping that Christmas will get here sooner. If that's the case. I think we will just forget to cut off one for a few days. Maybe that will slow this season down.

I think Taylor is most excited for the green tag on his countdown. That's HIS day.

I love traditions. I love starting new ones to go with the old.

This year we welcome our newest tradition. The moment I saw this little guy I was instantly happy. He is the most jolly elf I have ever seen. We named him Jingles.

Each day mommy hides him and on the back he has an activity for us to do that day. After he is found he goes right back to his home on the kitchen table.

So far we have sung Christmas songs, read some books, watched the First Presidency Devotional, made a box for our gifts to Jesus, and built donut snowmen.

Taylor was the only one who didn't devour his within seconds of finishing. He named this guy Frosty. Pretty cute.

Each Friday before Christmas we are having a Christmas movie night and sleeping under the tree (okay, just the boys are doing that one)

For some reason this picture of the boys makes me teary eye.

I would say this guy enjoyed it the most.

For those of you who want to know or if you would like some ideas, here is what we will be doing for the rest of the season.

1. More Friday night movies and sleepover under the tree.
2. Sledding (if it snows)
3. Read books under the tree
4. Get a box of chocolate and take turns picking some out to enjoy (this was a tradition in my family growing up)
5. Make treats
6. Make treats
7. Probably make a few more treats.
8. Make Gingerbread houses with Morris Family
9. Decorate bedroom doors
10. Christmas craft - Reindeer pop treat
11. See the lights at Temple Square
12. Make Gifts for teachers (primary and school)
13. Watch "The Nativity"
14. Play games under the Tree
15. Christmas Eve Dinner with Packer Family

I will be happy to post more pics.

I am so happy to be Home for the Holidays. I love my home, more than ever. I am secretly quite thrilled that our house has not sold yet. I couldn't imagine being anywhere else right now.

I am so grateful for this month and to feel the spirit of sweet baby Jesus and the life he led and the life he gave, for us.