We had an AWESOME Christmas!!

I know it sounds so cliche, but seriously Christmas is my favorite time of year. I'm sure it's a combination of things: I hate the cold weather but love having an excuse to snuggle up in my down comforter with a good book and some apple cider. I love singing Christmas hymns at church and wearing tights so I don't have to shave my legs (haha!). I love finding the perfect presents for my family and getting all excited for Christmas morning so I can see their faces when they open them. And of course I love all the yummy food I get to make (and give away) at Christmas time. But mostly I love the time I get to reflect on the Savior's birth and His role in my life. It's so fun to talk to my kids about this and teach them the importance of the season.

On that note I have a funny story. So the beginning of December Cole was being, well, Cole. I was telling him that it makes Heavenly Father sad when he is mean to his brothers and that we need to be nice and blah blah blah. At the end I said..."And you know who's always watching, right?" And Cole (who obviously listened to every word I previously said) yelled out, "Santa!" So...we're working on that.

I actually have a friend who said she and her husband tell their kids that Santa isn't real and from the beginning their kids don't believe in Santa and know that doesn't come to their house and stuff. At first I was like "WHAT?!?" and then I had this epiphany. What a brilliant idea! Bryan and I decided that we aren't going to push the whole believe in Santa thing. If they question it or stop believing, we'll tell them the truth, and let them know that Santa isn't a real person, but an idea, that we need to serve other people and think about others at this time of year. And really get the focus of Christmas away from presents and Santa and back to Christ and serving others. Kinda hard with four young boys but it's a work in progress that we are really going to get going on next Christmas.

Anyway, this year Christmas started early for us. Rix was in a multi-stake choir with his cousin Olivia and they had two pretty major performances at the Festival of the Nativity and at a Community Christmas Choir program. They sang so good! Their little choir (all Primary age kids) sang harmony and parts and they were so professional looking. It was a lot of fun (and lots of work!) but he had a good time and I think we'll do it again next year.

After that our ward had a Christmas breakfast where we ate amazing cinnamon rolls and had biscuits and gravy. Oh, and a visit from Santa! I know, we are trying to get away from "Santa" but when he comes to ward parties I don't mind that my kids go get a candy from him! It was fun to get the ward together and celebrate Christmas!

For Christmas we went to my parents house on Christmas Eve and had our traditional appetizer spread and played games and hung out. It was crazy with seven kids who all wanted to play different games and who were all hyper over opening presents and Christmas the next day and us adults trying to wrap presents, control kids, and make food. But it was so fun at the same time! The excitement in the air was contagious! We did a white elephant gift exchange (which we learned was tough on little kids - they couldn't understand why someone was taking their present!) and the kids got to open their presents from Nana and Papa (since they were leaving the next day for Utah).

The next morning we got up at 8am - I'm thinking that was a great present from my kids! - and they opened their presents. It was so fun to watch them get the items they asked for and also for things they didn't ask for but were excited to get them! The best part of Christmas morning was watching my kids faces as they opened each gift. Then we left the crazy mess (which was really hard for me!) and left for church. When we got home we cleaned up and got ready for Carissa's family and Dave and Lindsay to come over for a steak dinner. Not really traditional Christmas but I was chintzy and didn't want to spend a ton of money on a ham or roast. So steak it was!

Seriously- he's so stinking cute!

Santa still has celebrity status with Cole

Carissa and I got my dad basket of his favorite stuff. Love this shirt!

Rix digging through his stocking

Jake opening his present from Rix (some stacking rings that he LOVES)

Rix "passed out" after getting the Beyblade Arena from the Poyfairs. And Bryce showing off his art kit.

Cole opening his Millenial Falcon.

Overall we had a great Christmas and got to spend lots of time with our family and friends. I feel like last year I was horrible at gift buying for both my kids and Bryan and this year I totally redeemed myself!