We had an amazing Christmas this year! We had talked for a few days with the kids to come up with a fun tradition our family could do on Christmas Eve. Carson told us of a teacher at school that told them that for their tradition, they would all wear pajamas to a nice dinner. We thought that was kind of fun, so with that as our inspiration, we decided each kid would open up one present (that would be new pajamas) on Christmas Eve before dinner. Then we would all wear PJ's for dinner and that dinner would be a breakfast. So we had Swedish Pancakes for dinner while wearing our PJ's. It was fun! We also thought about going to Dennys for dessert in our PJ's or something fun like that, but maybe next year. But no matter what, we will wear our PJ's for it on Christmas Eve. The kids were excited to open a present, and it gave Alivia a good idea of what was to come the next morning.
After Dinner, we made some cookies for Santa. We had read a 'Night Before Christmas' book (The Littel Critters version) and it the Santa scene, there was a sign pointing to the cookies so Santa would know they were for him. So Carson decided we better do the same thing! Then it was off to bed. The kids were in bed by about 8:30, and we let Carson sleep in Kaylee's room so he wouldn't accidentally see Santa in the middle of the night setting up the toys downstairs. Good idea, right!?! Nick and I were even in bed early that night...around 10 or so. It was good to get to bed early!
The next morning, we went down and checked to make sure everything was in its place before the kids made it downstairs. (We made them wait on the stairs while Dad checked it out). This is what he found.
The kids waited for Livy to have a bottle and then we let them go see what Santa had brought them...
They were pretty excited!!! We spent the next hour and a half slowly opening presents and see what everyone got. Santa brought Dolls and chapstick to Kaylee, A baby and toys to Alivia, and a Semi Truck and Back Hoe for Carson! He also brought all of them a new art easel.
We opened the rest of our presents from Gma and Gpa brower, which were blankets for Carson and Kaylee along with a DVD, toys, and a cute princess ballet outfit for Kaylee. Airplanes and books for Carson, and cute toys and PJ's for Livy.
Carson got a Nintendo DSi and Hotwheels from Mom and Dad. Kaylee got a princess CD player with TWO microphones and some My Little Ponies, from Mom and Dad. They also got lots of books, DVD's, and clothes.
I was excited about the bike trainer I got for Christmas. Now I can ride my road bike inside during the winter months! I have already used it twice and it is awesome! Nick got some new shoes, hoodie, and a new cooler.
We spent the rest of our morning playing with our new toys, eating breakfast (Monkeybread and Hot Cocoa), and getting ready for church, which didn't start until 1 PM.
They kids also got new church clothes for Christmas....don't they look so nice!!!
They held just Sacrament meeting for church and it was very nice. The ward choir put on a program and I even had a little solo on one of the songs. After church, we came home just in time to talk with my brother, Elder Brower, in Brazil. We all used a computer program, similar to skype, to talk with him. It was fun to see him, and the rest of my family too!
For dinner, I made spaghetti and meatballs and then we just played the rest of the night with our new toys and the boxes they came in! I just laugh that kids are just as entertained playing with a box as much as with a new toy! So funny!!
Before bed, we enjoyed some Skookies using our new Skookie pans we got for Christmas! They are so yummy!!!
It was a wonderful day! Even though I missed being with my family this year on Christmas day, it was nice just being able to stay home and enjoy just our little family. As the kids get older it is harder to do Christmas at grandparents houses and it is more fun to start our own traditions. We still were able to spend plenty of time before and after Christmas with both sides of our family!
No comments:
Post a Comment