Christmas Day

Kennedy stole the spotlight this Christmas…

I mean, it is her first Christmas… and she is a cute baby…. and that is what this holiday is about, right, babies? Well, one baby in particular.
Kennedy didn’t need too much of a reminder who the Savior is, I like to think she still remembers him.
But for the rest of us, this is such a wonderful time of year to celebrate his birth, his life, and his gift to us.

Would you believe me if I told you I only took a handful of pictures for Christmas? And that they were only shots of presents?
Believe it.
No picture of the Christmas tree or decorations, our family in pajamas, acting out the nativity, Christmas breakfast or dinner…. nothing, except presents. 
I’m so ashamed.

Okay, I found 1 picture. This is the kids right before making and decorating sugar cookies for Santa and the Reindeer. We had some very creative cookies.
We just can’t resist putting this toy basket on Kennedy’s head. It will be a sad day when her head grows.
 

and now for the present pictures….
This was Kennedy’s first Christmas, so she got to open the first gift, some warm pj’s. She loves the taste of the glitter tissue paper, yum.

After reading the nativity story and trying to act it out, the kids set out milk and cookies, then climbed into bed.
Shawn slept across their bedroom door through the night. Odd, I know, but we have an escape artist (I wont name names) who likes to sneak out and play with toys at 3am. Well, this night we had a real Houdini who snuck past his sleeping dad. Shawn woke me up at 4 in the morning, “I can’t find Jefferson” he said. We looked EVERYWHERE. We finally found him, in the bath tub. I know, weird. I guess he had tried to go back to bed, but couldn’t get through the door, so (with the help of Nana) he set up a makeshift bed in the tub. Definitely picture worthy. But I have none of course.

In the morning the kids were so excited to see what Santa brought them. Grant got EVERY SINGLE Magic Tree House book, just like he wanted, Jefferson got a Star Wars Lego set, and Reagan got a swing set. We had breakfast, then were able to visit with my brother and Clarissa over Skype. I am so thankful for technology!

Kennedy got to open the first gift, again, lucky girl!

Grant with his own weather station

Jefferson showing off his learning laptop. As far as technology goes, this thing was made in the dark ages. But my kids don’t know any difference, and Jefferson LOVES facts…. I think he could be the next Ken Jennings. (Look how thrilled he looks).

Reagan’s heart skipped a beat when she opened this gift. This may actually be the first gift she’s ever liked. That is no joke, she is ridiculously hard to shop for.
 

We did something new this year, and it was so fun! We each drew names and had to make a handmade gift for our person. I think I can speak for everyone when I say that these gifts exchanged were the BEST gifts opened this entire season. And did I take pictures? No (there is something wrong with me). I will have to tell you then…
Me: I made Kennedy a hot-air balloon mobile
My mom: made Jefferson bookmarks
Grant: embroidered Shawn a hand-drawn Armadillo for his office
Jefferson: Knit a scarf for my mom (She’s wearing it in one of the pictures above)
Kennedy: made a handprint plate for Reagan to eat with
Reagan: made Grant some bookmarks
Shawn had me, and (well, I did take a picture of this one). He made this…

I KNOW!!! I had the same reaction (that is, if you are totally flabbergasted and amazed).
He did such a good job. Here it is, side by side with the picture from the book he used. Picture perfect.
It was my favorite gift.

Everyone had such a fun time planning and keeping their gifts a secret. Even making them was fun….. Grant couldn’t wait to work on his armadillo, Jefferson spent 5 weeks of free time knitting, and Shawn even said, “I’m really enjoying working on my gift.”
And although this is a Christmas blog post and all I have to show you are pictures of gifts, I do think gift giving is a huge part of why we celebrate Christmas. It’s the time when we think most about giving of our time, service, and charity. We show how much we love others, by giving of ourselves. The same way Christ showed us his infinite love by giving us the greatest gift of all.

and that is what Christmas is about.

that …. and cute babies…