Christmas 2011

"Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree.."

All the kids really enjoyed going behind the tree to play.

Daddy enjoying his candycane by our makeshift fire
on the *cough* computer.

There's a beauty.. before the kids tore off
all the decorations on the bottom of the tree..

Ahhh.. coziness.

This is our bedroom after re-arranging everything.
Tried making it a bit more cozy too..
Still need some pics on the wall.

And, Mmmm Challah Bread.

I think one of Isaac's favorite things about Christmas
was looking through the ads and dreaming..
Elizabeth enjoyed it too.

The kids also have enjoyed just playing together.
Sooo happy they're in that stage now.


Now for a photo shoot:

Elizabeth and Ashlyn

Isaac

Elizabeth

And a Cutie Boo showing off her book.

And we have a bunch of sillies..

The kids also enjoyed seeing Santa a couple of times.
Once at the ward Christmas party and the other (this picture)
at an old Springville theatre.
We really like it when Santa comes here.
He comes every year and there's never a line.

Elizabeth really enjoyed visiting with Santa and told him she
wanted a pink princess.

Isaac had his head down the whole time
and told Santa he wanted everything.
Later he told us he meant he wanted everything he'd been wanting.
Like Star Wars toys..

Surprisingly, Ashlyn really enjoyed Santa too.
She was showing him her pink shoes.
One of the elves offered her a candy cane,
so she got off Santa's lap to grab it,
but then wanted to get back on his knee. Cute.

Cookie time!
The kids enjoyed making cookies a couple times for us and our neighbors.

What a lovely mess!

Yeah, Isaac really enjoyed eating the flour.

He enjoyed eating it so much, Elizabeth thought she'd better join in..

End result? Nummyness!

We made a Gingerbread house as well.

Sprinkle fingers.

All they wanted to do was eat it afterwards..

The day before Christmas Eve, we decided to head to Temple Square.

Who's that kid? Definitely not mine. How'd he get in the pics?

Wishing at the fountain.

More wishes

Love my sweet Ashlyn.

At the visitor center

Cheese! Well. Sort of.

Okay, there's a cheese face.

Oooo.. pretty!

More pretties

Fun fun

This year we decided to do more of a homemade Christmas.
This is a little hugging blanket to Grandma and Grandpa Peel.
I outlined all of their hands, then cut them out onto fabric.
I included Baby #4 on there too, because though it is not with us anymore,
it holds a special place in my heart.

Daddy made Isaac a neato X-Wing Pilot helmet.

I made both the girls a tutu as well.
It was fun hand making things for people.
We'll have to do it again next year.

On Christmas Eve night we had the kids open their presents to each other.

And then Daddy got out all of their favorite stuffed animals and blankets
with their comfy chairs and we watched Luke 2.

Then, FINALLY, it was Christmas Day!!

Presents from us.

Presents from Santa.

Christmas Day was awesome because we took it nice and easy.
First they looked at Santa gifts and opened one present before we
went to church.

Ashlyn was wearing Elizabeth's fake earrings.

Isaac showing Daddy what Santa brought.

Then after church, we opened one more present before we ate a big lunch.

After lunch we finished the opening party.

Elizabeth's treasures.

Isaac's stuff.

And Ashlyn's.

Jedi Isaac (one of his presents).

And a silly goose in his x-wing pilot helmet.

Elizabeth was loving her new IXL.

I love Christmas. It was so much fun. Even better with kids. :)
I also enjoyed being able to focus a little more on Christ this year.
I'm so grateful for the gift that He is to us.