Christmas time is a magical time... especially when you get to see it through the eyes of your children. It was Santa this and Santa that for weeks and weeks before the actual Christmas day. We tried to reiterate the reason for the season over and over but...... Santa was still at the forefront! Hoping they "get it" one day! Christmas Eve was wonderful! We stayed home for the first time since we've been married just spending the time as a family. We opened up an awesome Christmas package from my parents that was chuck full of Christmas Eve goodies. Yes, some pajamas were included. So here we are above, modeling them... minus Eric.
We then loaded up our car, pajamas on to watch the Nativity at a member's house. Every year they do the Nativity story complete with wonderful costumes and lights all over the yard. Unfortunately, this year it was soooo windy that the lanterns kept getting blown out. I still thought that it was a magical wonderful event. So grateful for a chance to attend this to really get in the right Christmas spirit.
We then headed home, flanked by our buddies the missionaries for a fondue/pajama party evening.
We LOVE these elders! We just laugh and laugh when we're together!! And those pajamas on Elder Larsen... a huge crackup!!
On Christmas morning the kids were dying to open up their gifts and check out their stockings.... but Eric was working. So they waited patiently until he got home, and the second he walked in the door. The presents were torn open and the stockings dumped all over the place.
Our Santa is continuing the tradition that I grew up with as a child. A carton of eggnog for each person in their stockings.
Chocolate fondue was Sadie's favorite. No surprise there!
We decided to give Sadie her first haircut, after I gave the boys their haircuts. (Getting all snazzy for our Christmas family party)
Just cutting the very ends off, don't worry!
We were able to meet the Shahan's and the Poquita's at the temple for a wonderful evening and Christmas concert! These guys are family! So grateful for them and their friendship! Feel continuely blessed that I have them in my life!
At the Caufman family Christmas party, Peyton received a Hot Wheels race track.
Sadie got a baby doll with a special blanket!
All the great grandkids of Grandma Bertha.
And all the grandkids! We sure love Grandma Caufman!!!! She is such a wonderful woman and example! So loving and sweet! Ever since the day I met her, I've felt nothing but complete acceptance and love. She is so selfless and giving!! One day Sadie will realize how lucky she is to be named after this woman. Sadie MAE Hess.
Another Christmas here at the house with Eric's family!
Such a wonderful year! Such a wonderful Christmas! We felt so blessed to be able to spend it around the people we love! Of course, I missed my family but it felt great starting traditions of our own for our lil family!! And we sure loved sharing the moments of the kids unwrapping gifts while grandparents in Utah were facetiming us!!!
