Christmas 2015

Christmas Eve traditions include dinner at our house.

Chimes... we are getting pretty good.

Even harmonized on a few songs. :)

Acting out the Nativity.

The true meaning of Christmas.

We try SUPER hard to teach our girls about Jesus Christ being the true meaning of the season.

We read stories, do service for others throughout December etc etc.

But it's not easy.

So this is a MUST for me!

There's always Cousin Time.

And the annual picture in front of the tree :)

Then baking cookies for Santa.

Putting food (oats + glitter) out for Santa's reindeer.

Christmas Stories.

The opening of our Christmas PJ's

And pictures of course...

Then a sleepover in Tayler's room.

And the tracking of Santa on an app on their phones late into the night.

Christmas morning around 8:30 they called to wake us up.

They run down and check out what Santa brought, we eat breakfast and start into our present opening.

Pretty sure everyone was super happy with their gifts! 

It's fun to see the sisters get excited when they open each others gifts!

Saige decided to make a quilt for Tayler for Christmas.  I tried to talk her out of it reminding her that it was going to take her MUCH longer than she thought and that there really wasn't that much time left to get it done.  But Christmas Eve morning she got the last few snips in!

Tay was surprised and so impressed!

Then off to Grandma & Poppa's house for lunch and more gifts.

Then time for the annual.

"Present wrap up" videoing.

The girls are excited that we all got season passes to Lagoon.

I really don't love Lagoon so.... what was I thinking?   hahahaha

Lydia loved her American girl doll and accessories.

Jadyn's favorite gift was a DVD called Teen Beach 2.

Which is funny because she had never seen it, but she was sure it was going to be her FAVORITE movie.  If we had Disney channel she could have already seen it 50 times... but we don't. hahaha

So she asked Santa for it EVERY time she saw him.

I could tell she was disappointed that morning when she looked in her "sack" and it wasn't there.

She even said to me 1/2 way through opening presents, "I'm trying to not be sad but I really wanted that movie"

Of course I had already bought it for her and it was wrapped under the tree, so I saved it for the VERY last gift.

Her reaction was PRICELESS!!

And yes, it's her favorite movie and she has watched it 50 times!

Kenna loves her new Nike's and workout clothes.

Saige got a plethera of new clothes and some new perfume.

She's my child who asks for necessities like undies & sports bras... totally boring. ;)

Tayler got a new Cannon DSLR camera.

I surprised Shane with a cruise with our friends hahaha

I put down the deposit in August, and was totally going to talk to him about it.

Then 2 days later there were some super unexpected financial/legal issues that happened. GRRRR

So I figured once they were resolved, we would talk about it, but they still aren't resolved and the day to pay the balance came, so I just paid it.

Long story short, I decided to make it a Christmas/Birthday gift for him.

He wasn't happy that I kept telling him to PLEASE not getting me anything for Christmas because I had something big for both of us.

He figured it out I'm pretty sure, but he still acted surprised for me. :)

I look kinda ticked off in this photo.

Not sure why... it was a pretty great day! hahahaha 

Christmas Day is Fantastic.

But I MUCH prefer the whole "Christmas Season" over Christmas Day.

Like everything leading up to Christmas... the fun family traditions and being together.

I loved that Joe and Lisa came over to play games with us on Christmas night this year because some years I think about just going to bed at 6 o'clock on Christmas night hahahahaha

I'm ready for a long winter's nap after all the preparations and traditions!

MERRY CHRISTMAS 2015!