Christmas!!

We had such a busy Christmas, but it was SO fun. Landry really understood a lot of what we were doing this year, and the boys were such troopers going from one thing to the next. We spread things out this year, and we pretty much had one exciting thing each day for several days in a row. It was great!

 

On the 21st, we did Christmas with my mom and her side of the family. We started that morning with brunch at her house with my brothers and their families.

Landry got a Belle dress and a Belle doll, and you have never seen a child be more excited. She literally floated around all afternoon dancing and spinning. She ended up wearing the dress the rest of the day because she didn't want her doll to be sad if they didn't match. :)

After brunch and presents, we headed up to my Grandparents' house to celebrate with our cousins. This is normally our Christmas Eve tradition, but with our families growing and getting married we've changed it and do it early so that everyone can be there.

Brother 1 with Judd

Brother 2 with his wife, Emily

I tried to get a picture with Micah, and we had a little man that wanted to join. :)

My grandmother had old pictures set up all around, and Micah thought this one of me looked JUST like Landry. Landry even asked, "What am I doing there?" :)

Sister-in-law picture! We were cracking up after this because my brother, Drew, always grabs people or touches them funny while we are taking pictures to make them laugh. None of us noticed until after the picture, but look at my creepy little hand reaching over on Jamia's shoulder. :) I guess I'm just creepy because I didn't mean to do that. Ha!

On the 22nd, we celebrated with my Dad. It was wild and so much fun! I didn't take many pictures.

Here is what my kiddos made for Dado this year.

"Trophy Bucks" to hang in his office.

 A lot of the boys got farm toys, and they had a blast playing together and getting all their pieces mixed up.

Even "Sofia the First" joined in. :)

 

And I got lots of Baby B snuggles.

 We came home that afternoon and made Christmas gifts, played with our new toys, tested brownies, and cuddled.

 

 On the 23rd, I had game night at my house for my Mom and brothers with their families. It was fun to let the kids play, and the adults didn't end up playing one game. We had a great time visiting though!

Sweet cousins in Christmas pj's...

Love C's face in this one. He.was.done.

On Christmas Eve, we woke up and made a gingerbread house... 

The kids had never done it before, so it was a little rough at some points. Overall, they had a great time eating the icing and sneaking candy. It turned out pretty cute!

We invited Micah's parents up that night for our Christmas Eve service and to have dinner with us here afterwards. We had a great time catching up, and the kids loved showing them their new toys! We are doing Christmas with their family this weekend, so I'll have more pictures coming!

Christmas morning was our best yet! This is really our first year to stay home and have time with just our little family. When the kids woke up, we did Santa gifts right away because they were laying out.

Then, I fixed breakfast which included a birthday cake for Jesus and egg cups (pictured uncooked below). They were SO easy and SO yummy.

Basically, put a piece of ham or turkey in a muffin tin, crack and egg in there, sprinkle s&p on top, and bake for 12-14 minutes (12 minutes, the yolks will still be runny) at 400 degrees. Sprinkle with cheese when they come out. YUM!

We read the Christmas story and then sang happy birthday to Jesus...

 

 

After breakfast, we opened all of our gifts to each other and hung out and played until dinner at my mom's that night. It was fabulous!

 

By the way, if you want to be entertained, give a 2 year old a kaleidoscope. He could not figure out how to open one eye to see what was in there!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Give a girl a $1 package of hair clips and some dolls with hair, and she will be set for hours!

 

 We finally got out of our pj's in time to get dressed for Christmas dinner.

Collier looked extremely handsome in his bow tie, and I think that might be my new obsession. He is his Daddy made over, and I am smitten.

This little missy on the other hand is unfortunately ME made over. She won't listen for anything, and she can hardly take a serious picture to save her life.

Collier giggled almost the entire time we were at my mom's over Judd and Laurel. He thinks they are a hoot!

Baby Bretton wasn't so happy towards the end of the night, but I had to get a Christmas picture of these three together. I think this one is just perfect. :)

And I so wish this picture wasn't blurry. It's a serious Christmas snuggle when you both close your eyes. :) Love, love, love.

 

2013 was our best Christmas yet! I thought about Parke a lot and wondered what it would have been like to have him crawling around and into everything. What a blessed time he must have had to spend Christmas celebrating with our Savior. I'm thankful that my God keeps promises, and I look forward to the promise of eternity with Him.

 

"For a child will be born to us, and the government will be on his shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace."

Isaiah 9:6