CHRISTMAS 2011

Our Chrimstas morning started with a phone call from Benjamin to wake us up. The boys were still sleeping so I was able to chat with him for a few minutes before I could hear them stirring upstairs, which was almost 8 in the morning. We all took the phone into Connor's room to wake him up and then it was time to start the show. I was holding cameras, video and regular, relaying what was happening to Ben, and trying to get the boys started with their first gift that was such a hit! It was called Battle Tops and the last top spinning wins that round, with the first one to reach 10 declared the overall winner. They really played with it for the first 30 minutes before they were ready to move on.

We were able to make it to the stockings and the bright green presents from Santa before it was time to get ready for church. There was a really special spirit during the service, especially when the primary-age kids sang "Can I hold the Baby?" They hadn't even started singing before I was already tearing up, that is just the way that I am when it comes to Primary songs. It is just such a tender and sweet song, and watching my boys sing just did it over the top for me.... So needless to say I had quite a few people ask me if I was doing all right, or giving me hugs when it was over. I know they were thinking that I was having a hard time with Ben gone for this special holiday, BUT REALLY... it was the primary song + pregnancy hormones! Even if my husband was sitting right next to me I would have still been emotional during and after that sweet music.
So after church we made it back home and opened a few more presents. Connor fell asleep on the drive home so he actually wasn't there while Cael and Brecon opened a few more gifts. We actually didn't open everything in one day either. We started about 5 days early and then we still weren't done at the end of Christmas day! It was pretty nice because the boys actually played with their new gift the day that they opened it and it was enough to keep them satisfied and not be so overwhelmed everything else that was going on either. It was kind of like a Hannahka-ish holiday with 8 days of presents, and I really liked it! (*except for the 8 days of garbage and wrapping paper and packaging plastic... that part wasn't the best)

Brecon makes an amazing stack of his stuff!

THANK YOU WONDERFUL NEIGHBORS!! After I had struggled to put together Brecon's slot car race track, took a break because I was so frustrated, and then tried to figure it out again.... I finally had to call in for reinforcements. Not only did they get the track together and working but we had some pretty great races as well. That loop and connecting track were actually turned and hooked in the wrong way!! GRRRR... it is a good thing that Angie and Kent are problem solvers! Plus they brought over delicious cinnamon rolls and dinner rolls as well to share. I need to call them over to help more often :)

The pictures above are actually part of the reason we started Christmas early. When opening a package sent from Ben in Afghanistan we discovered that the boys gifts were inside. And it was just our luck that Ben had called us and was on the phone at the same time. The boys were thrilled with their "ADVENTURE PACKS" that contained flashlights, tools, a shovel, rope, binoculars, a first-aid kit, a compass, etc... everything a little boy/grown up would need to go on an adventure or be out in the forest with. Cael and Brecon were walking around the house and excited to take their packs and explore their surroundings. I made sure they understood that this was a Daddy activity, so now they have something very exciting to look forward to when Daddy comes home!

So the rest of Christmas we had races and went over to the Layton's house for a delicious dinner and for the first time I had a Christmas Goose! And they had the MOST delicious apple pie I have ever eaten. A perfect way to end a meal and Christmas day. When we got back home Connor as able to actually open some of his presents while Cael and Brecon really tried to hold themselves back, they just couldn't help but get right in there to assist Connor with his gifts.

And these pictures are added just so that I can remember the amazing Ward Christmas party and dinner we had on the 23rd. First of all we really weren't planning on too many families due to the holidays and the long weekend. BUT we had an amazing turn out, every table was filled and we were running out of forks! Our building just isn't that large or have places for a lot of people to eat, but we made it work and now we know what to do next time.

Part of the party included a white elephant exchange game for the adults, but before that they announced the winner of the ugliest, most creative, and best group for sweater wearers that night. After all the others were given their awards I was completely surprised when they said I WON the UGLIEST!!! It was like my name had been called for the Price-Is-Right. I almost gave everyone in the room hugs, but I controlled myself (at least somewhat) to only shaking my hands, covering my mouth, and squealling with delight! It feels good to win (ha ha ha) AND the best part is the guy next to me got the "runner-up" award and he is actually wearing one of my Christmas sweaters! Such a fun night and a good time to spend with the wonderful people in our little church family.

After the party I just had to swing over to my neighbors house and show them my prize for the ugliest sweater. The cute little snoopy would shake his hands/bells while a few different songs would play. You can tell I was feeling pretty excited about the "Big Win" and Connor is looking at me and thinking "I sure have a crazy Mom".

We had a wonderful Christmas!