Merry Christmas

Well Christmas has come and gone and it seems so weird that its almost the end of the year. I love Christmas. I love decorating. I love the food. I love buying gifts for my family and friends. I love reading the story of our Savior's birth. I love everything about this holiday and so naturally when its over- I'm a little sad.
But this year, like all the years past, was wonderful. It seems like each year Christmas gets to be more and more fun- mostly because our kids get older and older. Although Tanner still didn't quite understand what the big deal was- he was so much fun to buy for.
Tanner got a few little presents, some books,a dvd, clothes and puzzles; but then his big gift from us was a tricycle. He loved it. Although I'm not sure it was his favorite gift of the day. Nanny and Papa got him a remote control race car that moves by chasing a light. The remote is like a laser flash light and when you shine the light on the ground the car chases it. Tanner was pretty much enthralled with that. So props to Nanny and Papa for getting him his favorite gift this year.
Tanner on his new trike- despite the look on his face- he really did like this gift!

Tanner driving his race car

Bailey got mostly clothes, a photo album, a few books, a sit and play/ stand and walk music center and a rolling hippo ball toy. Since she could care less, we are counting it as a very sucessful Christmas. I loved all her gifts and can't wait until she is old enough to enjoy her toys.
Here is the run-down for our Christmas
I left the kids with Chris for a couple of hours on Christmas eve day to do some last minute shopping- this is how I left them. Can this picture be any more precious?

On Christmas Eve we went to my parent's house and had a big family get together. There were a ton of people but it was fun to catch up with some family members that we havent seen in a long time. Then after everyone left except the immediate family, we brought out the gingerbread house. The little boys got their hammers and with a little help- they destroyed their first (of hopefully many) gingerbread house.

Tanner was loving it. He mostly wanted to eat it. Clark didn't quite know what was going on.
Tanner tried to just eat it whole

Then he tried using the hammer

Victorious! See his mouth full of gingerbread house?

Tanner opened his and bailey's Christmas pj's and after their baths they got dressed in their Christmas sleepers.
Love these snuggly kiddos

Tanner loving on his sister.

You can't tell in this picture- but Bailey loves her brother and she loves when he loves on her.

That night I filled the kids stockings. I think picking out the stocking stuffers is my favorite part of Christmas. I love finding just the right gifts to put inside. I think I get that from my Mom. She always did such a great job on our stockings.
Here were the kids stockings. I filled Chris' at like 3 am- so he wouldn't catch me

The next morning we woke up and watched Tanner go through his stocking.

He was so excited. After every little thing he pulled out he would say "Whoa- Gank Goo" - which is how he says "Thank you" So that was pretty much adorable. Then we helped Bailey discover her stocking and she really enjoyed her teether. It vibrated and she thought that was pretty awesome.
Here is Bailey with all her stocking loot

trying to devour her teether

Then we rushed to get everyone ready for church. Our awesome neighbors brought over some yummy cinnamon rolls for us too.
Family pic before Church

Here are my darling kids in their Sunday dress clothes for Christmas

Bailey in her dress

After church we headed back to our house to change clothes and then go to Nanny and Papa's to open presents.
I was so excited to get Bailey dressed. I had peiced together her outfit and I loved how it came together. We did a dry run a couple days before- but I hadn't finished her onesie- so it was a topless dry run- which in my opinion was even cuter. Seriously love the chubby baby bodies!

Pretty darling huh? Here are a couple with her shirt on.

here is a buns shot

Tanner, of course, wore a Christmas shirt too.

Here are both my babies

When we got to my parent's house, the little kids were so tired that we decided to do the toddler Christmas first.

So Clark and Tanner opened all their presents and Bailey's- they played a bit and then we put them down for their naps.
Then we ate lunch and did the adult Christmas. Once again- my husband and family spoiled me rotten. Seriously- way too generous.
Then it was pretty much dinner time so we rushed to finish everything and we ate a DELICIOUS Christmas meal.

After that- our kids were still kinda tired so we decided to head home. We skyped with Chris' family in Oregon for a bit and then enjoyed a nice quiet evening after the kids went down.

It was such a wonderful Christmas. I wasn't real excited when I found out Christmas was on Sunday this year, but I decided I almost liked it more this way. It really helped me refocus on what we were celebrating. I enjoyed all the beautiful music and I'm so grateful for that sweet baby that grew up to redeem me from my sins. The birth of our Savior was such a blessing to this world and I'm grateful that we set aside some time to celebrate that.

I hope everyone had a great Christmas. See you all next year!