A beautiful Christmas morning

I love Christmas! I love the smells, I love the music, and I love giving gifts. I love the anticipation of it too. I still have trouble sleeping. (jack is just like me).

My kids excitement is my favorite. Creighton is always the most excited. Every present he gets you would
Have thought he won the lottery. He holds it up high above his head and runs around with it screaming. I hope I can always keep this image in my head. Happiness.

We were blessed as always. I also am so thankful my kids are still at the ages were they don't want extravagant things and are happy with just the simple ones...a ball, a pack of crayons, socks and undies. I love this. Stay little please.

It was a good Christmas. We went over to my parents and had a wonderful breakfast and later that afternoon we got together with the Evers at Classic. The kids had a blast.

I am sad it's over, but in some ways it's nice to just enjoy the kids and not feel like I need to be "getting ready" anymore.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve at my parents is never complete without a story from Papa. This year, he made each boy a pirate and gave them a treasure map that they followed to their "treasure." My dad actually went shopping for the presents too (this is a bigger deal than you may think).

The story was very uplifting as his stories always are. (we always try to get a classic nativity story from him, and it's always special instead)

Santa's helper also dropped off a special delivery for all of us: our Christmas pajamas.

So, after all our picture posing we gathered the kiddos up and headed off for home. We told the kids they had to go right to bed and they did. I hadn't even brought everything in and found they had already put themselves to sleep. Beautiful thing that bribery is.

So...it was a Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.

Christmas Parties

We have a lot of Christmas parties in this family.  I don't know if Mitch realized this when he married in, but he has learned to deal with it since (and we have actually cut back believe it or not).  I only documented a few of them.

Grandpa Larry's & Grandma Della's Hires Party

I think the favorite gift was the buzzing magnets and the
rapping horse.  I quickly banned the horse from singing after
hearing his "Jingle Jangle" way too many times.

 The kids always love the party at Grandy's house.  A special visitor seems to always make an appearance.  My kids have to be the most excited.  Creighton was especially hyper this year....and of course was the last one to get his name pulled out of the bag.

We had a wonderful Christmas season with family. It's always so fun to see them all and catch up.

Christmas Card

Seeing Santa

Before all the Christmas parties started, we took the boys to see Santa.

The first time was at Kneaders. 

This Santa was amazing.

He really listened to the boys.
He was patient and kind.  

They loved him.

 We also took a sleigh ride to the North Pole via the Homestead's sleigh.

Easton and Santa

Creighton was a jokester.
He wanted to take his jacket off so Santa would see his shirt:
"on the nice list"

Jackson and Santa

Afterwards we had cookies and hot chocolate before heading back to civilization.

Both were really fun family nights.  Still though....I hope they remember why we celebrate Christmas.....

My little King and two Shepards in the ward's Nativity

The E-Man Turns 4

On December 13th, my "baby doll" turned 4.  He was so excited.

 He got new fast shoes and some awesome spiderman stuff.

I was able to go and help in his pre-school that day, and after we went to the children's museum.

Have to admit, I got a little sad when I saw this sign.
There was a time when all 3 of my boys could go in the "baby area."
Now, none.

 That's ok though...they had fun with everything else.

Creighton and Riley.

Tall towers.

Easton and Beckham put on a play for me.
It was very well done.

 That night, we went to our usual birthday place for dinner...The Old Spaghetti Factory.
Easton enjoyed opening his presents

 and his cake.

 The next day was his birthday party.  Thanks to Papa, he helped me out since I procrastinated putting the wonderful "Cowboy birthday party" I spent so much time pinning on pinterest together.

Friends came, boys played, and all was fun.

 I think the high light was going in the cash cube.  Every time we go, they see the "cube" and want to go inside.  It was finally Easton's turn.

 And as you can see by his face, it was awesome!  He stuffed all those fake bills in his pockets and was so proud of himself.

So...even though he still can't put his seatbelt on by himself (which I told him was criteria for turning 4), he did in fact turn 4.  Here's to hoping the Terrible Twos and Trying Threes are behind us.  Pretty sure the "baby" takes a little longer to grow out of those stages, however.

I love you Easton.  Your infectious smile makes me so incredibly happy.  I love cuddling with you.  I love that you are the first one to wake up and the first thing you say to me in the morning is, "I want breakfast."  I love how you want to be so big, but yet you also want to still be the baby.  I love how much you look up to your brothers.  I love how you kiss my belly and you tell me I'm fat like Santa.  I love your brutal honesty.  I love everything about you.....even when you drive me nuts and I want to scream, I look at your cute smile and I melt.  You're an incredible little boy and I am so thankful you are mine.