Christmas festivities

Christmas Eve and Christmas morning we spent at home in Boise, just the four of us. This was our first Christmas at home (I know, pathetic)! Christmas Eve we started some of our own traditions. We first watched a short movie on the birth of Christ, then acted out the story with puppets, and lastly, read letters to each other that we had written. That was probably my favorite. Of course, Carson isn't old enough to participate in that activity yet, but we still wrote letters to him. Austin's letters (with our help, of course) were simple, yet sweet. We will treasure those letters every year and I'm sure as the kids get older, they will appreciate this tradition more. Before bed, we left Santa some Oreos, milk, and carrots. Christmas morning started fairly early, although we made them eat breakfast first, knowing they would be too distracted by their toys to eat later. The kids were so excited when they got up to see that Santa had delivered the goods (along with Mom and Dad)! We opened our stocking first, which were stuffed with treats, peanuts, oranges, books, small cars/trucks, mints, and more. Then the real fun came as the kids dug into their presents. The pictures explain it better than words!

Austin got a shiny, new, red bike (from Mom and Dad)!

Carson was pretty stoked about the mini monster truck and M & M's in his stocking-two of his favorite things!

Santa brought Austin a space "ship", although it was supposed to be a space "shuttle". I guess Santa had a hard time finding one! :)

Santa knew just what Carson would like-a race track!

This is Austin's present from Carson, Jet Fire (a transformer)!

Yep, this elephant is nice and chewy!

This is my favorite picture from the morning. Carson opening Austin's present, a car that spins! That kid is obsessed with cars and trucks and anything that "goes"! Love his expression!


In the afternoon, we hastily packed up the car and headed for Logan to spend Christmas dinner with Eric's family and stay for the weekend. We had a nice dinner, set up by Kevin and Kari, at their church (our family is too big now for our houses!). We had a fun time, the kids acted out the nativity scene, and then we all gathered around the tree and opened presents.

Some of the grandkids, ready to eat dinner.

The oldest of the grandkids

Some of the "grown-ups"

The nativity-some of the kids weren't into cooperating for this (Uh, hum, Austin!), but it was still cute. Maecee made a cute star!

Mary and Joseph, with the shepards and wisemen waiting in the wings

Mary and Joseph, with the angel and star behind them.

Carson made a cute shepard, but was not having the head dress and sash.

The kids eagerly waiting to open their gifts from each other.