CHRISTMAS!

Christmas was at Jason and Rasy's house again this year since that is where most everyone already was (Jamie and her girls live with them and Criste and Reggie were also staying with them).

After church on Christmas Eve we went down for a leisurely afternoon. Rasy, Criste and Reggie made us a traditional Filipino feast which was quite yummy. We did our usual Christmas Eve devotional, which Nathan and Hannah participated more in this year than they ever have!

Then we gave all the kids their Christmas PJ's and Ken gave all the girls new slippers :)

Here are our minions all ready for bed on Christmas Eve night!

Dallin and Kayla look soooooo cute and happy!

Daddy read some of the new Christmas books Grammy and Grandpa Ard sent.

Everyone loves story time!

We also had a spontaneous dance party for the kids to get their wiggles out.

Before heading home we got a picture with all the cousins!

They look so cute :)

After last year, we learned that Christmas goes a lot better when all the kids get a good night's sleep.

So, we made the short drive home and let all the kids sleep in their own beds.

As we were tucking the kids into bed, Hannah asks me if Santa will still come even if some people in our house were on the naughty list. I tried not to laugh and told her of course he would. He just leaves coal for the naughty children and treats for the good ones. She seemed relieved and confessed that she was pretty sure that Levi was going to be on the naughty list. I laughed out loud!

The kids love this English show called Peppa Pig, and requested to do stockings England style- in their rooms. So, we hung the boys' stockings on the ladder to the bunk bed and everyone else's on their door knobs.

Christmas morning I woke up to Hannah shouting from her bed, "I WAS good this year!"

Jeremy and I both laughed that she was so surprised... maybe it wasn't Levi she was worried was going to be on the naughty list after all :)

We gathered up our stockings and the present Santa left for each kid and headed back down to Castle Rock for the day's festivities. We wanted to do stockings all together because Nathan spent $25 of his own earned money to buy everyone their favorite candy in their stocking (in addition to buying everyone a present!). I was really impressed with his giving heart and generosity. He was really happy to see everyone be so grateful for his gifts.

Let's open some stockings!

Even Teddy and Patch got stockings!

Sharing Skittles with Criste.

Look at that mound of presents! If we didn't have 9 adults and 7 kids' presents in there I'd be embarrassed...maybe I still am :)

Hugs from the girls! Is there a grandma in there somewhere?

Next, presents from Santa!

Our kids each get one gift from Santa. (Nathan is on the "In" and helps perpetuate the younger ones belief). He asked for a Harry Potter Spell book, Hannah for a set of 4 walkie talkies, and Levi for a Dinosaur that lights up and roars.

Looks like Santa delivered 3 for 3!

Patch decided he wanted to come say hello to his buddy Josh.

"You have to say "over" so I know you are done. Then let go of the button so you can hear me!"

Kylie got this super creepy unicorn that transforms when you squeeze it yo have angry eyes and sharp teeth!

Now on to presents from all the rest of the family!

Fidget cube?! Awesome!

Nathan got Levi a bunch of resin animals to play Octonauts with, and looked for the ones in the episodes that Levi loves to act out with his figurines. So thoughtful!

Careful!

Look closely and you will see that Nathan is trying out his new strap on Heelies (wheels on your shoes)...on his flip flops!

Nathan gave grandma new crayons because the little kids keep breaking all of hers and peeling the papers off of them.

Try to look past Hannah's wasted face... these girls were so happy to get magnetic friendship necklaces with matching earrings!

Whoever invented Water Wow books has my permanent gratitude!

These things are amazing at keeping kids busy and quiet for long periods of time without a huge mess,

Hannah was pretty excited to get her Uma costume, and show me her Uma moves!

This was Levi's favortie pass time while we were in Lubbock for a week in November. Now he has his own indoor, balance bike!

Look who is learning basic programming skills!

(Not Jeremy... Levi!)

How many people will it take to put together Kayla's kitchen?

After all was opened and people were all happily playing with their new toys we set to work to make Critse and Reggie a traditional Christmas ham feast. It was delicious!

Most of all it was great to spend the day with loved ones and see the spirit of giving bring so much joy to everyone, Merry Christmas everyone, and thank you for all your various contributions to making our holidays merry and bright!