Merry Christmas!

This had to be one of the best Christmases yet for our family. We were all here together, and that makes everything better. The boys only got a few gifts but it was the ones I know they will use the most. Christmases past I have tended to start out conservative and in a mad rush a few days before splurged on junk out of fear my kids would feel like they weren't getting much. This year I finally realized the quality over quantity thing. I guess thats what being 26 is all about, maturity (my birthday was a few days ago, Happy Birthday to me!).


I made them Christmas pj pants last week, and to my surprise they really liked them. Good thing they don't know how to appreciate a good straight seam. Dayton loves them most because he loves snowmen this year. Forget Santa, he looks a little scary. But snowmen rock. He sees them and yells "ack, ack" Kinda like a ducks quack quack. I think he has that carrot nose confused with a beak. Our neighbor has an inflatable snowman in her front yard and he will go sit by it and pet it.

When I was little on Christmas Eve we opened 1 gift from my parents and then Santa brought all the rest of the goodies the next morning. We have tweaked that a bit over the years. I personally don't like Santa getting all the credit. So this year he brought them 2 things they had asked for or in Bradens case, 1 thing he asked for in his list and 1 thing I didn't want to wrap. Cause you know Santa doesn't have time to wrap gifts.
Anyhow, on Christmas Eve night they were allowed to open their gifts from each other and the gifts from grandparents pack home. Keegan and Braden both got wallets with a little money tucked inside from my Mom. They are so proud of them. Dayton got a Thomas and Friends book that he absolutely loves. Thomas Family sent them a bionicle, a tent, and yet more books for Dayton. He loves book, I think he is destined to be our little scholar. Look for him to be on Oprah reading the Wall Street Journal in a few months.

I was so bad this year at doing gall the crafty things I had planned. We didn't make our snowflakes or our handprint wreath, or a gingerbread house or even make cookies for Santa. We made the dough, stuck it in the fridge, then the neighbor brought over a plate of sugar cookies. Keegan decided that we could eat 1 each and leave the leftovers for Santa. Works for me.

So after playing with these new toys for a bit they were off to bed to dream of things to come in the morning.

Santa delivered some very nice goodies, and the boys were allowed to open the things from Thomas and I. I didn't take many pictures Christmas morning since I had the video camera in my hands.

Keegans favorite gift was his iPod. He loves it, although we keep having to tell him to turn the volume down on it. He may ruin his ears before he is 9. Braden got a scooter that he loves! Now he can ride with the big boys. Dayton got a table and chair set he really likes and a few elmos. He loves "Melmo" as he says.

Thomas got a new cabinet for his coins, now they won't be scattered about the house.


The boys got hooded bath towels with their names on them. In July I decided I wanted to do mostly handmade gifts for Christmas. It didn't turn out that way with the towels and pj pants being the only things i made and I did them just a few days prior to the big day.

Notice how most of my gifts are for my benefit? No more coins lying about the house, no more towels thrown all over the place!

Dayton got this little Cozy Coupe car that he was very excited over. He instantly took the doors off and started cramming his foot into it. When he finally realized he couldn't fit and he wasn't going to be able to ride in it he was a bit disappointed.


He was also very excited over this Thomas book. He loves Thomas, good call Mamaw.


Braden got some new books he was really proud of.


Keegan received an iPod. He loves it.


Dayton had to borrow the headphones and listen for a minute while Keegan called back Home to wish Grandma a Merry Christmas.


Our family gift from Santa, a fire pit. We love to sit outside and this helps keep us toasty on these cool nights. Keegan and Braden have really enjoyed helping Daddy build the fire and roasting marshmallows in the backyard.


Christmas night we had a dinner here at our house. I cooked a Turkey, Missy and her family brought a ham and some side dishes and Bekah and her family brought Desserts and a few other side dishes. We also invited a family that was new to the island that we had just met. The food was delicious. This was the second time I have cooked a turkey, the first one being about 5 years ago. Well, Missys dad was kind enough to carve it for me and I noticed as I was cleaning up later that night that I had left the little plastic bag inside, oops. I took one out and didn't go digging for any more. When I mentioned it the next day he also told me I had cooked it upside down. Oops.