Christmas

Christmas Eve and Christmas were pretty low key this year. It was the first year we didn't travel somewhere. Not dealing with packing and overcrowded airports really made for a relaxing holiday. Having said that, we also missed being with family. However, we had a great evening with friends on Christmas Eve.

After dinner we had all the kids act out the Nativity.

Kobe was the angel and Lily wanted to be a shepherd.

After all our friends left the kids got to open a present.

 Pajamas and slippers!

And before bed, for tradition's sake, we had to read "Twas the Night Before Christmas."

The kids were so excited for Santa to come visit we put out cookies and milk for Santa, carrots for the reindeer and then Kobe asked, "What about Mrs. Claus?" I asked him what he thought she would like and he said Chocolate--smart boy! So we put some chocolates on the tray for Santa to take back to the Mrs.

Christmas morning the kids actually slept past 7am, it was awesome! We made them stop for pictures, so very mean of us. They were so excited they wouldn't hardly hold still.

 

 Santa brought them some new dress up clothes.

 

A pirate, ARGGGG!

A pretty princess.

 

A chef and a fireman.

After opening Santa presents we ate breakfast and since we didn't have church until noon we decided to decorate our gingerbread houses that we hadn't had time to decorate yet.

 After Justin helped Kobe assemble the house and put on the frosting, Kobe went to work.  He really enjoyed the process!

 Lily on the other hand, wanted to eat all the candy. So I did most of the decorating with some forced assistance.

 The final product

Since it was already Christmas, they didn't even have to wait to eat their creations! Almost as soon as we were done they were busy sampling.

 After getting sticky, it was bathtime and time to get ready for church.

Justin snapped this lovely picture of Lilian when she was ready, but for some reason Kobe didn't get a picture taken.  We really should have taken a family picture that morning, but oh well.

Church was great. I really wish we had church every year on Christmas. It was so nice to take a break from the presents and turn our thoughts to our Savior and His birth.

After church we went home, ate lunch and finished opening the rest of the presents.  We were all really spoiled.  We received so many fun games to play as a family, and the kids got some fun new toys and lots of new books. We were also blessed to be able to talk to so many family members. It was a great Christmas!